Look To The Stars News: Lupus Foundation of America

Julian Lennon Starts A Revolution

Wed, 30 Dec 2009 13:04:00 -0000

Using the span of the Internet and a power-shifting business model, musician Julian Lennon and digital pioneers Michael Birch and Todd Meagher recently announced the launch of theRevolution LLC, a full-service, artist-focused, music services company, with a portion of the proceeds from their first LP going to fight lupus.

“A couple of years ago, I started writing again, and an album came together slowly but surely, and I was looking around over the past couple of years to try and find a new way forward,” Lennon said, “A few of us, who are now the founders of theRevolution, were literally sitting around the table discussing all of these issues. And we just felt that maybe we could come up with a newer model that would work for all of us — that would allow the artist more control over what’s happening to him on a creative level and on every other level, too, whether it was looking after their brand or looking after their management or protecting and developing them, looking after the recording and publishing with them, licensing, touring, you name it.”

The company’s first release is a four-track EP titled Lucy which is available at theRevolution’s Web site, as well as iTunes, with a portion of the EP’s proceeds going to St. Thomas’ Lupus Trust and the Lupus Foundation of America.

The title track was written and performed by Lennon and James Scott Cook and is Lennon’s first single in 10 years. The inspiration for the EP came from the two Lucys in their lives, who were both affected by Lupus. Lennon’s childhood friend Lucy Vodden, who inspired the Beatles song Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds, recently died of the disease, and Cook’s grandmother, also named Lucy, is battling Lupus.  

“There was no effort about it, about putting the song together, about putting the idea together, about the history of it or where it all came from. It just felt a very, very natural thing to do and almost to a certain degree, felt like I was closing a circle in many respects,” Lennon said. “Show me a person who’s not affected by music or lyrics one way or another. But from my perspective, obviously, I try to use that for positive use. It’s always trying to either make people aware or enlighten them or tell them a story so that they can make decisions for themselves about trying to drive forward in a positive way.”

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.

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Julian Lennon Starts A Revolution

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Tomiko Fraser Offers Empowerment to Women

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