Source: StyleBlazerc.com

From BlackVoices

Channeling Nicki Minaj is no longer reserved for Halloween.

Elle magazine’s latest cover girl has launched a new digital program on her beauty site called ”Minaj à Moi” that allows fans to instantly “Minaj-ify their look.” Translation: wear cotton candy-colored wigs and lipstick colors.

Nicki rips another page out of Barbie’s book with a makeover tool that features her signature hairstyles, fake eyelashes, puckered pouts, sunglasses, hoop earrings and a nameplate necklace, of course.

Read more on BlackVoices.com.

What kind of childhood would a kid have without their own website? A pretty horrible one by Hollywood standards. Little Monroe and Morrocan Cannon have one (Dembabies.com), and on it, mom and dad shared some new pics of the growing twins and their happy family. In the first photo, mom and dad are chilling in their convertible (with the “M” for Mariah on the seats…and her signature butterfly) while the kiddies sit (and stand) in their laps. They’re getting so big!

Source: http://dembabies.com

And in the second picture, the twins are having playtime in a pile of toilet paper. On paper, it sounds gross, but in photo shoot form, it’s adorable! If you don’t agree, then we can’t be looking at the same picture. Check it out!

Source: http://dembabies.com

Yep, Roc and Roe are definitely growing up fast and looking a lot like mom and dad. Seems the parentals are getting them started early in the business with these cute little photoshoots and lavish parties. I’m sure they’ll be little superstars in no time…

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Welcome to another “Behind the click” profile! I’ve got another digital entrepreneur to expose to you. Her story is very unique and she’s overcome many hurdles. Meet Asmau Ahmed, founder of Plum Perfect a visual search engine that provides instant personal recommendations to shoppers using their photos. She has a killer educational background but also the tenacity that we all need no matter which endeavor we are currently pursuing. Read on to find out about Asmau’s unique journey.

Current Occupation: Founder, PlumPerfect.com
Favorite read: Bedtime stories with my son
Recent read: The Tipping Point
2012′s ultimate goal: Do more of the things I love
Quote Governing Your Mission or a Quote that Inspires You: “…..we must speak or our ideas and ourselves will remain unheard and unknown” -Faith Ringgold
Twitter handle: @Plum_Perfect

LDC: So, Where are you from, exactly?

AA: Proudly, a citizen of the world. My parents are from West Africa- Nigeria.

LDC: What was it like attending Columbia for business school in New York City for you?

AA: For me, Columbia was a breath of fresh air. It signified new beginnings, a huge playing ground to explore, innovate, learn, network and make life-long friends.

LDC: What led you to combine your interests in chemical engineering and business in what we see as Plum Perfect?

AA: I really did not set out to combine the two. I knew from personal experiences and frustrations of trying to find the right colors and products for me, especially online, that there was a tangible business opportunity. So the engineer in me started exploring, and building, and testing, and building some more… and now we have Plum Perfect!

LDC: What is the site’s key value prop?

AA: From just your photo, we find the perfect colors and products for you. From a photo of your face, we find you make-up that would look fabulous on you. From a photo of your top, we can find the perfect skirt. We essentially scour the web and search through mountains of products to find the one for you, in seconds.

LDC: How did you obtain funding for the venture?

AA: A lot of hard work, perseverance and not giving up. Understanding that a ‘no’ from one investor meant one of two things – I needed to get back to the drawing board (armed with very specific feedback on what was not working) or we just didn’t fall in their sweet spot (happens a lot). My networks were instrumental in getting me meetings. It was up to me and my team to close.

LDC: What advice would you have for other women of color looking to fund tech-based companies?

AA: We are already used to working harder than everyone else. The same applies here. Network with other entrepreneurs and learn from their experiences. Black Founders has a great community of entrepreneurs, so start there. Build a team of doers – effort doesn’t count for anything in a startup, results do. Investors want to see results and a well rounded team they can trust to deliver. Become an expert in the non-tech aspects of your business. Nail down and validate exactly how you are going to make money. Articulate, very clearly, what your go-to-market strategy will be. It’ll change with time and experience — the savvy investors know that.

LDC: Along the funding route, before or after; did you ever encounter what you might consider to be racism and/or sexism? If so, how did you overcome it?

AA: I was pregnant when I started along the funding route. Well meaning friends asked me to wait until I had my baby. I figured I was already black and female pitching a tech company – I had 3 strikes already and that being pregnant wasn’t going to change a thing. Folks also advised me to get a non-black co-founder to round out the team… all well intended but misplaced advise.

I have not encountered racism and/or sexism explicitly but the numbers speak for themselves. Do I sometimes wonder if I would have had an easier time at this (and it has been TOUGH) if I were white or Asian or male? Absolutely. What’s my conclusion most of the time? Yes! Do I dwell on it? Nope! A waste of my time… I work with what I have today, and that’s plenty.

LDC: What has the response been to Plum Perfect?

AA: We started out as color p.i. and rebranded to Plum Perfect. People see it and say — I would use this or I wonder why this hasn’t been done before now. That’s the biggest compliment – to know that we are building something of value. The reception has been great. People appreciate the power of the technology and creativity that went into building Plum Perfect.

LDC: What is your biggest challenge in running the company?

AA: The challenges have evolved over time. First, it was technology and product build – motivating the team at 4 AM in the morning of the next release to not give up. Then, it was fund raising – convincing investors that we need money NOW. Now, it’s growing our market after the relaunch.

LDC: What’s your biggest hope for Plum Perfect in 2012?

AA: That we grow beyond anything I can possibly imagine – and I imagine huge! That we become a household name because we deserve to be. That we continue to provide breakthrough technologies that people love.

Be sure to watch for the next tech industry profile! In the meantime, keep up with the latest digital developments by following me on Twitter @mediaempress, and stay up on tech conferences via my site at www.ldcoleman.com

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Source: Zap2it.com

I’m not quite sure where to begin so I’ll just start with the news most outlets are talking about. We found out a few weeks ago that George Zimmerman had set up a website where his “supporters” could send donations and it turns out he’s been getting quite a bit of support—$200,000 worth of support. The problem is (besides the fact that people are aiding this man) Zimmerman’s lawyers didn’t know about that money when his $150,000 bond that he had to pay 10 percent of to be let out of jail last week was set—otherwise it would have been a lot higher.

Benjamin Crump, the lawyer for Trayvon Martin’s parents has requested that the bail be revoked since Zimmerman didn’t disclose how much money he really had at the original bond hearing. Florida Circuit Judge Kenneth Lester said he wanted to know more information about the money and what Zimmerman knew before deciding whether to revoke or raise his bond. He plans to address that at a hearing after giving Zimmmerman’s lawyer Mark O’Mara some time to gather information.

Now on to this black thing.

Reuters published an article today detailing Zimmerman’s upbringing and seemingly attempting to distract from obvious charges that Zimmerman’s fatal shooting of Trayvon Martin was racially motivated. Zimmerman who has gone from white to Hispanic to biracial and everything under the ethnic sun now apparently is part black. According to the article:

“He was raised in a racially integrated household and himself has black roots through an Afro-Peruvian great-grandfather – the father of the maternal grandmother who helped raise him.”

The article goes on to talk about Zimmerman’s “mixed household” and regularly being around poor black kids and is frustrating to read so I’ll let you do what you will with that info. Whatever mulit-cultural background he has doesn’t take away from the crime he committed Feb. 26.

Brande Victorian is a blogger and culture writer in New York City. Follower her on Twitter at @be_vic.

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Landing page for Beyonce's blog (iam.beyonce.com)

Beyoncé launched her new website to an avalanche of media buzz. Most of the attention went to the collection of intimate photos featured on the notoriously private star’s Tumblr blog launched on the same day. However, the real news is the superstar’s savvy in recognizing the importance of having an online presence that reflects her brand.

Before the revamp, Beyoncé’s web presence consisted of a Twitter page she never used, and a website managed by her label that offered news and photos a day late and a dollar short. Beyoncé decided to do something about the problem last year when she issued an urgent brief to agencies – she wanted “a site that looks like who she is an artist, someone who likes fashion and art and photography and travel,” said an executive close to the Knowles team. “She has all sorts of interest and wants to communicate that.”

Some may wonder why Beyoncé even bothered. Awareness isn’t a problem for her. But, revamping her website isn’t about awareness; it’s about giving access to her fans while maintaining control over her image. Beyoncé has long showed signs that she wants to be the only one running the show when it comes to her image – from ending her father’s management of her career to releasing the first photos of her daughter through a personal blog. Her new website is a hub for her to disseminate information.

Beyoncé’s seeming perfection on stage and in interviews has brought her criticism for being robotic. Her website addresses these concerns as well, creating a sense of intimacy, complete with hand-written notes. The photos she includes on her Tumblr show her at her most human – no makeup, surrounded by family. The site also features a peak at what inspires her via her blog, and a fan section allows her “beyhive” to see themselves on her site, and show that their Queen Bey sees them.

The pop diva is off to great start. She’s already updated her blog – and garnered headlines – with penned notes to Sade, Basquiat, and the First Lady. Hopefully she’s in it for the long haul, because building a website is only the first step to creating an effective online presence. Here are 9 easy steps you can take to build an authentic web presence of your own:

1. Start with a solid strategy: Define the goals of your website and what components will be created to address these needs.

   Read the rest of this entry »

Beyonce took a little time out of relaxing on the beach during her St. Barts vacation to pen a short note to Michelle Obama. On her website, she posted the letter below, singing the praises of The First Lady and thanking her for being a role model that her daughter, Blue Ivy, can look up to.

Beyonce is usually the one on the receiving end of compliments like this so it’s nice to see her recognize such an important African American figure like Mrs. Obama. Bey’s been a fierce supporter of President Obama’s re-election campaign and Michelle’s right-hand entertainment woman for her “Let’s Move” campaign so perhaps basking under the tropical sun with her husband, away from (most of) the paparazzi got her thinking about how difficult it must be for the Obamas to remain cool under pressure.

Brande Victorian is a blogger and culture writer in New York City. Follower her on Twitter at @be_vic.

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Source: WJBC.com

George Zimmerman is crying for help, and at the same time trying to appear as though he has some sort of altruistic goal by setting up a new website, therealgeorgezimmerman.com.

In a three-paragraph intro on the homepage, the neighborhood watch captain explains why he set up the site, and just in case you don’t see the yellow donate button at the bottom, reminds his supporters that he could use some cash. It reads:

On Sunday February 26^th, I was involved in a life altering event which led me to become the subject of intense media coverage. As a result of the incident and subsequent media coverage, I have been forced to leave my home, my school, my employer, my family and ultimately, my entire life. This website’s sole purpose is to ensure my supporters they are receiving my full attention without any intermediaries.

It has come to my attention that some persons and/or entities have been collecting funds, thinly veiled as my “Defense Fund” or “Legal Fund”. I cannot attest to the validity of these other websites as I have not received any funds collected, intended to support my family and I through this trying, tragic time.

I have created a Paypal account solely linked on this website as I would like to provide an avenue to thank my supporters personally and ensure that any funds provided are used only for living expenses and legal defense, in lieu of my forced inability to maintain employment. I will also personally, maintain accountability of all funds received. I reassure you, every donation is appreciated.

The website also has a page labeled, “The Facts,” on which Zimmerman assures supporters the real details of the Trayvon Martin case will come to light. Plus there’s a “My Race,” page on which he attempts to kick up American patriotism, on top of the flag of the United States in the background, with these quotes:

“The world is my country, all mankind are my brethren, and to do good is my religion.” – Thomas Paine

“The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil, is that good men to do nothing.” – Edmund Burke (sic)

MSNBC received confirmation from Zimmerman’s lawyers that the site is legit, I just hope they report how much money he receives. I’d like to know just how many people support this man.

Brande Victorian is a blogger and culture writer in New York City. Follower her on Twitter at @be_vic.

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It’s almost impossible not to love Angela and Vanessa Simmons. They’re gorgeous, they have great style, they’re sweet, and they’re multi-talented.

The Pastry designers have teamed up on yet another venture with the launch of AngelaAndVanessa.com, a new site that’s all about the sisters and their style. While the website hasn’t officially launched yet, the ladies posted a note to let visitors know what to expect:

Hey Everyone,

We are so excited to welcome you to AngelaAndVanessa.com. We will be talking about fashion, beauty, music, fitness, family and more. We hope you’ll find all the answers to your questions.

We look forward to exchanging tips and tricks with you, letting you in on what we’re up to, and creating a place where individuality is embraced. You will be able to create your own profile page, chat it up with other members, swap ideas, talk about trends and become inspired.

We hope you enjoy our new website!

XOXO,
Angela + Vanessa

The site layout definitely has the girl’s funky feel to it and will no doubt be the go-to location for their ultimate fans. Will you check out AngelaAndVanessa.com?

Brande Victorian is a blogger and culture writer in New York City. Follower her on Twitter at @be_vic.

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(AOL Black Voices) — Tyra Banks sure knows how to make bank! The former supermodel is proving that there isn’t anything that she can’t do. The 36 year-old talk show host announced that she is launching a fashion and beauty website that will offer how-to videos and styling advice. Oh, and there’s an app for it! The entrepreneur wants to get in on the mobile phone action as well.

(Entrepreneurs) — Are you considering building a website for your small business–or having one built for you? Before you dive in and create one, it’s crucial that you consider your website an investment in your business and act accordingly. This means looking down the road and making sure that the way you build your site allows you flexibility and a cost-effective way to grow the site–and, in turn, your business.

Read More…