Following President Obama’s Inaugural Ceremony and Parade, BET and Centric Networks celebrated in style at the Smithsonian American Art Museum and National Portrait Gallery with dazzling celebs, style influencers, community leaders, and media personalities from across the globe. Live performances included Bell Biv Devoe, Doug E. Fresh, and MC Lyte. It was clear from the reflections on the red carpet that stars from Hollywood to DC heard the President’s message of diversity, equality and inclusion loud and clear.
Having been in DC for the President’s first Inauguration in 2009, Access Hollywood Weekend Anchor Shaun Robinson found this time to be just as thrilling as the last. She was in awe “this incredible man, who has such a wonderful vision for our country,” gets another chance to continue his legacy. She spoke of being inspired by the President’s words of personal responsibility and making sure that we don’t have a glass ceiling.
NAACP President Benjamin Todd Jealous remarked that Black women and men, as well as white trade unions, turned out in record numbers—defying expectations—to re-elect Barack Obama. Now he says, it’s time that people of color “internalize that we have the ability to determine who is President and we have the ability to determine the direction for this country.” Both MC Lyte and Tatyana Ali felt the same way. MC Lyte calls on us to be “participatory in the outcomes that affect us” and Tatyana wants young women to realize how powerful we truly are.
She explained, “Our lives are political. Politics is human interaction. Politics actually works properly when we all get involved, when we’re all included.” Tatyana urges young women to stay engaged and to speak out because we can be a voice to change the minds and perspectives of the people around us. Awurama Simpson, Miss Universe Ghana (2010), and Sandra Nyanchoka, Finalist on America’s Next Top Model (Cycle 12) work with young women globally to promote education and inner beauty. They want for young women to not be afraid to go after their dreams. “Education can take you anywhere and makes anyone who they want to become in life, and makes their dreams possible,” says Simpson.
Actors Boris Kodjoe and Nicole Ari Parker, founders of Sophie’s Voice Foundation, a charitable organization serving children and adults affected by the birth defect spina bifida, believe that “it’s important to dispel the myths around Obamacare” during this second term, “for people to really know what the President is offering and what has been put in place to protect and care for people and their families.” Happy parents to two young children, they hope that other families can take the spirit of empowerment, encouragement, and having our destiny in our own hands into the next four years.
Echoing those thoughts was quintessential authority on all matters of beauty and style, Ms. Mikki Taylor. She held the First Lady up as an example that “we don’t have to hope for change, we can be it.” It’s time, she said, for us to “step on stage and own the spot!”
