On Saturday, September 14^th & Sunday, September 15^th 2013, Uniquely You Summit, Incorporated (UYS) will host the 4^th Annual Uniquely YOU Summit for Girls at Temple University.

Over the past three years UYS has had the unique opportunity to challenge more than 1500 girls to become their best selves! We have encouraged them to “Become Who They Are”, empowered them to think and act “Beautifully, Brilliantly, and Bravely” and introduced them to the foundation of being “Uniquely” themselves.  This year we’re asking them to declare—I AM!

The mission of Uniquely You Summit, Inc. is to help black girls uniquely define, discover and become who they are. Since 2009, we have continuously impressed upon girls (11-18) the importance of recognizing the incessant and damaging images propagandized and cultivated by the media. We’ve aided them in identifying these images and the overwhelming impact they have on their daily ability to be sensible, confident, and hopeful young women. With the help of prominent and accomplished role models, like: MC Lyte, Beverly Bond, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Eve, Dr. Robin L. Smith, Kim Coles, Tracey Ferguson, and so many others, the Uniquely You Summitfor Girls, each year, has been able to authenticate the power in making healthy and positive life choices.

Through affirmations of self-worth, the 4^th Annual Uniquely YOU Summit, themed: I AM,will mobilize 500 black girls to declare and confirm that they are far too valuable and powerful to be sexually objectified and symbolically annihilated. We are hopeful that each girl will be empowered to proclaim – “I AM…!”

It’s NOT too late! RESERVE your pre-casting SPOT to become a 2013 UYS TEEN COVER GIRL! Email contest@uniquelyyousummit.org. See promo for FULL DETAILS.

Calling ALL Girls (13-18) in PA, NJ, DE or MD!

We are looking for the next set of UNIQUELY YOU SUMMIT COVER GIRLS!  Bring your recent report card and come share with us why YOU should be a 2013 UYS COVER GIRL!

Because of an overwhelming response, we MUST know that you’re coming, so PLEASE RESERVE YOUR CASTING SPOT at contest@uniquelyyousummit.org.

In the Subject Line:  2013 CONTEST/Your First Name

In the Body of Email: Full Name/Age/School/Phone Number

Questions? Call 484.383.4UYS / contest@uniquelyyousummit.org

DEC CENTER

4201 Henry Ave. 19144 

UYS Contributing Editor: Kristen Harris

Never in my life, have I been so embarrassed to admit that when I was 16, I would listen to UGK, in my hatch back Ford Escort (that I thought was a sports car). It was navy, and I was green. I had absolutely no clue about whom or what I was listening to, but was sure that it was authentically unique and uniquely dope.

I see it is a blessing, that at this time in my superficial teens, I did not cross paths with the real life man that PIMP and Bun portrayed. He probably would have sold me an igloo in the dessert, by promising me a five speed Acura. Bun B and PIMP C proclaimed their self sufficient knowledge about the underground prostitution market in Port Arthur, Texas, with their chests erect, and I believed every word of it.

My ignorance about the subject matter that I was bobbing my head to was allowing me to groove to the beat of misogyny – that’s fancy for disrespect and hateful words or acts against women. That’s my definition. I had to consciously live it before I could define it for myself. As a naive and narrow minded 16 year old, I could identify with the lifestyle of glamour, cars, money, and respect. I can’t recall one peer of mine who couldn’t. We had no clue about the vile ways that PIMPs got rich and garnered respect in our own community. At that time, their off color and heartless profession was still ugly enough to be discretely rapped about and only fed to an all Black audience. Even we had to go looking for it.

I am thankful that at the time, the recently murdered Tupac, had left behind a body of music that was socially conscious enough to inform his quickly evolving audience about the plight of the young black woman, mother and sister, while celebrating her strength and beauty, sometimes. In 1996, it was still PC for a Brother to celebrate the Mother of the Diaspora, from time to time.

The decade progressed, and we soon realized that Tupac was in a class of his own. He had been allowed into the hearts and homes of America in a way that the Commons, Mos Defs and Immortal Techniques would never be allowed to do. Before we knew it, the main stream media was PIMPing the very PIMP culture that had only thrived deep underground for years. By 2000, UGK and Jay Z were giving the whole world a lesson about their money getting, jet setting lifestyle with their song Big PIMPin.

The entertainment industry became intoxicated by the colorful rhythm of the music and the lively young men proclaiming their power and control over their female victims. PIMP music received Oscars and Grammys! Everybody was emulating the lifestyle in their lyrics and in their language. The profession had received an unfortunate face lift.

In the city of Atlanta, main stream Rap music and PIMP culture became interchangeable in the 90s and did not stop in the 2000s. Led by the retro groovy music of our beloved Outkast, in 1994, the city fell drunk to songs like Player’s Ball. In 2013, T.I. and his PIMP Squad continue to capture our minds and iPod space with their teachings, right along with Trinidad James, who is the life form of a confused and slightly deranged image of a PIMP. He is convincing us, while confusing us, that taking hardcore drugs and wearing nice shoes will lead us to paradise on earth.
It is no coincidence that now Atlanta leads the world in child sex trafficking cases. The city digested the PIMP culture as that culture devoured our children.

In the same way that I envision my elders opening their eyes from a decent night’s slumber to find that the creative genius of the Jail House Rock or Lil Richard’s flashy suit and piano-banging soul had been thrown on a one way train to the Dick Clark Show – PIMP fashion, vernacular and culture hit the information super highway in a shiny blue Lac going 120 miles per hour and has never looked back, not even to observe the victims of this lifestyle, who are caught between the glamour of a PIMP’s portrayal and the horror of the present truth that is consuming its victims.

Read More

FLOTUS, Michelle Obama graces the April Cover of Vogue Magazine! She is the quintessential role model for black women and girls! BEAUTIFUL! BRILLIANT! BRAVE!

We are VERY excited about our WINTER 2013 Collaboration with the African American Museum in Philadelphia! More Details COMING SOON! #StayTuned!

If you can read this: YOU’RE INVITED! #BLACKGIRLSROCK! Purchase tickets TODAY @ www.urbantix.com. Sunday, Nov. 4TH FROM 7-11PM @ Ms. Tootsie’s 1312 South Street (Philadelphia, PA). Tickets are $25!