Look To The Stars News: Tomiko

Celebrities Support SICK Artist Event

Thu, 24 Apr 2008 04:18:21 -0000

Malcolm-Jamal Warner, Tomiko Fraser, and cast members from MTV’s hit show Rock the Cradle – which features the sons and daughters of celebrities such as Bobby Brown (Landon Brown), M.C. Hammer ( A’keiba Burrell) and Al B. Sure (Lil B. Sure) – came out to support the Be-Do-Have Foundation’s SICK Artist event held in Hollywood on Monday, April 13th. The foundation provides funds for uninsured actors, comedians and recording artists. This year there were eight fortunate recipients insurance.

The founders of Be-Do-Have state the foundation name means, “Be inspiring. Do what an inspiring person does so that you can have what an inspiring person has.”

Malcolm-Jamal Warner states that the mission of the foundation to provide insurance to independent artists is “a ground breaking idea.” He refers to himself as an independent artist and adds, “…as a recording artist I am strictly independent. I see both sides of the fence. I have been fortunate enough early on to be in a position where I have got stuff taken care of, but I also understand independent artists who don’t have that.”

Tomiko Fraser Reminds Women They Are Born With It

Fri, 11 Apr 2008 09:14:02 -0000

Written by Crystal A. Johnson

Last Saturday, April 5, a full day of seminars were held in Los Angeles for women and at-risk youth, sponsored by Maybelline and model Tomiko Fraser’s Goddess organization. Making a difference is a recurring theme in Fraser’s life. Last year she put together Butterflies Over Hollywood to raise funds and awareness about Lupus, an event she anticipates doing again this year. Saturday’s event was the first Born With It workshop, an outreach program and offshoot of Tomiko Fraser’s Goddess Gathering.

What began as a small gathering of five women at her home spawned an event with about 50 women. Fraser says of her gatherings, “Everybody comes to the table with their various strengths. I call it girlfriends being there for girlfriends. Each month I come up with a topic such as self esteem or goal setting.” She adds that she gives a homework assignment based on the topic so they can use it in their lives.

The goddess members were involved in every aspect of the program on Saturday, from being workshop leaders to serving food. Among them were a choreographer, a personal trainer, people who work in music, actresses, and a model.

Fraser describes all of the workshops as “pieces of the empowerment puzzle.” Among the workshops were those relating to fitness, beauty, confidence building, self esteem, spirituality, and well being, and there was also a financial freedom seminar that taught basics such as balancing a check book and investing.

The activities on Saturday were innovative and included props and physical activity. The girls involved all had fun.The confidence building seminar engaged the youth in creating commercials about themselves which highlighted the positive. In another seminar, girls created a collage based on their qualities as women.

Personal Trainer Fee King said of her involvement, “I am especially enthusiastic about this event because type 2 Diabetes is an epidemic in African American and Latino communities. It is an epidemic that does not have to be. I am using this platform to be an example and minister to these young people.”

Another member of the Goddess group, Big & Beautiful model Chenese Lewis, loaned her support to the body image workshop. Her emphasis was that real beauty comes from within.

Fraser and Maybelline plan on spreading the Goddess Gatherings to several cities throughout the country.

(Photos copyright Natiya Guin )

Tomiko Fraser Offers Empowerment to Women

Tue, 01 Apr 2008 12:49:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Supermodel Tomiko Fraser will launch an exciting new series of events this Saturday, April 5, when she facilitates the first session in what is set to become on-going national empowerment conferences for women.

“Born With It”, sponsored by Maybelline, will bring together a diverse group of 100 women and teenage girls selected from two shelters in the Los Angeles area, and offer them workshops on self-esteem, finances, fitness, and more. The day-long event will also feature panel discussions addressing issues important to women, as well as stores and an “empowerment” fashion show.

“Our vision is that woman of all ages possess the knowledge and ability to live truly empowered lives,” said Tomiko. “We are committed to supporting them as they tap into their undiscovered potential. We will provide them with the guidance, tools, and education to achieve their goals, thereby giving them the opportunity to live the life of their dreams.”

“Born With It” is an initiative of Tomiko’s Goddess Gathering, a national organization created to encourage the empowerment and self-esteem of women. She hopes the on-going events will give women across the US the opportunity to harness their natural greatness through a series of fun and educational workshops, motivational speeches, and Q&A sessions with some of the country’s most inspiring women.

Tomiko was born in the Bronx, the eldest of a family of seven. She is the legal guardian and caretaker of her sister, who suffers from a severe case of Lupus, and is a spokesperson and board member for the Lupus Foundation of America.

The “Born With It” events are designed to build confidence in women who are in “transition” (trying to overcome homelessness, unemployment, or drug addictions), “at-risk” teens, and girls in foster care, by providing information and tools for goal setting, finance, fitness/beauty/body image, well-being, and self-esteem techniques. The first day-long workshop will take place at the Pan Pacific Community Center in Los Angeles on April 5 from 9am-6pm. For more information about the event, or to make a contribution, visit the Tomiko Fraser Goddess Gathering website.

Will Smith, Jada Pinkett-Smith and Tomiko Put the Spotlight on Lupus at Charity Event

Mon, 01 Oct 2007 12:18:01 -0000

Written by Crystal A. Johnson

With co-host Malcolm-Jamal Warner by her side, Maybelline model Tomiko promised to put “the fun in fundraiser” at a charity soirée to raise awareness and funds for Lupus research in Los Angeles on Saturday night. The mission was accomplished. The event, sponsored by the Will and Jada Smith Family Foundation took on a 20’s Cotton Club atmosphere, complete with jazz band. Attendees dressed the part, helping to set a nostalgic tone amidst an event where the subject of Lupus was in the spotlight.

The cause to raise awareness about Lupus is very personal to Jada and Tomiko. In a serious tone, Jada explained that her high school friend, aunt and cousin all have been diagnosed with Lupus. For Tomiko, it is her sister that suffers from the disease. When asked what prompted her to create this event, Tomiko said, “I created this event out of the love for my sister.”

Tomiko is a role model for supporting this cause with passion, but was not the only model present; Mercedes Scelba from Season two of “America’s Next Top Model” was on hand to support the event. Mercedes has Lupus, and her condition was the focus of an episode of the show.

And where does Malcom-Jamal Warner fit in all of this? Malcom is close friends with Tomiko’s husband and has witnessed what Tomiko has gone through trying help her sister. Tomiko said the change in her sister was rapid, drastically debilitating her within a week.

Others in attendance to support the charity included actress Tisha Campbell and her husband, actor Duane Martin. General Hospital star Kent Masters King, “I Wanna Be A Soap Star” YVES, "Project Runway’’ reality stars Kayne and Jeffrey were also on hand, while recording artist Res gave a performance.

Lupus manifests itself so differently in people. Its consequences can include heart attacks, strokes, seizures, kidney failure and death. There have been no new drugs approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration specifically for lupus in more than 40 years. No one is safe from lupus; it affects men and women, although women are more likely to acquire the disease. It tends to strike the range of women of color more commonly.

The commitment to raising Lupus awareness continues with a walk for Lupus on November 4th in Los Angeles. For more information contact Sherise Bright of Lupus Foundation of America, +1-213-742-9048, sherise@brightkarma.com.

Look To The Stars News: Tomiko

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