Buy a bracelet, make a statement, make a difference. These days, students at University of Richmond can be found wearing light blue bracelets – not dissimilar to the color of the Somali flag – as a statement of their contribution to “fight the famine.” Just $5 buys one American student a bracelet and one Somali child enough food to sustain them for two weeks. With the alarming news of a fresh drought in Somalia, this student initiative remains more relevant than ever.

The campaign is the idea of one student, Shiksha Mahtani, who wanted to take action. She designed bracelets, set up a table at her school, made a video, and put up a facebook page. Little did she know she would meet so many like-minded, action-oriented students. Not only have they raised money to feed Somali families (100% of the proceeds from all bracelets purchased goes directly to TAF’s food delivery project in Somalia), but they are also making a statement. The blue bracelet is teaching people across campus that, in our increasingly inter-connected world, Somalia matters more than ever, and a starving child anywhere is a loss for all humanity.

TAF thanks Shiksha and each and every student who wears a blue bracelet – you’re our heroes. We also hope this story will inspire our readers. We can all make a difference!

To see the facebook page, click here.

To see the video, click here.

Here are the facts:

According to IRIN (Integrated Regional Information Networks), IGAD (Intergovernmental Authority on Development), and climate scientists, drought is likely to return to Somalia over the next three months.

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs says there are still 9.5 million people in need throughout the Horn of Africa and 2.3 million in Somalia alone. That’s 31% of the entire Somali population.

In Northern Kenya, just along the border with Somalia, Kenya’s meteorological department recorded the highest temperatures in over 13 years.

The United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction says that the coping mechanisms of people in most of the areas who experienced drought and famine in 2010 and 2011 is almost non-existent. They will not be able to cope with another crisis.

We have early warning, now it is time for early action. We cannot wait for people to show up in Dadaab refugee camp yet again.

To see more, check out their blogs at http://www.whitehouse.gov/champions.

We’d like to introduce you to The African Future, an organization devoted to improving the quality of life for the future of Africa. In this piece, founder Abdi-Fatah Ahmed reports on their efforts in Somalia. Follow them on Twitter at @dafricanfuture

We have all seen the figures: 4 million Somalis are directly impacted by the ongoing famine in East Africa; 750,000 are at risk for starvation. We can comprehend that these are not just numbers. They are parents without options, kids without dreams, real people without food to put in their mouths.

In Somalia, they die of hunger. The new year has not made this reality go away.

People say that it is too dangerous or too difficult to help. So we excuse ourselves by telling ourselves that it is impossible to do our part. We at The African Future (TaF) want to tell you a different story –- our story.

The African Future’s first Convoy for Hope demonstrated that food aid could be safely delivered into certain towns in southern Somalia, which are under the firm control of the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia & other local administrations. Last August, our convoy into Dhoobley, Somalia was the first to cross the border from Kenya, prompting other international aid agencies to follow our lead. From August 15 to 23, we distributed our second and third convoys to an additional 1,500 families, or 7,500 people.

In September 2011, our fourth convoy left for Balet Hawa and Dolo, two places that had not received any major food shipments since the famine was declared two months earlier. When we arrived on the scene, our team witnessed the grim devastation: emaciated and dying children against an exposed landscape of thousands of people sleeping in makeshift shelters under trees -– many who had been traveling for weeks by foot through the desert in search of food and water. We fed 25,000 people in four days.

One food basket is filled with enough goods to sustain a family of five for 2 weeks. The food is traditional –- it includes rice, porridge, dates, tea leaves and more -– things that Somalis are accustomed to eating. They don’t cost very much. All in, including delivery and other incidentals, a person can be fed for two weeks for just $5. We’ve so far reached 50,000 people with food aid.

So please, the next time you or someone you know thinks it is impossible to help, remember this story. And better yet, join our Convoy For Hope. The next delivery leaves in February 2012. They can have a future.

LINK: http://www.observer.com/2011/11/food-tv-lunching-with-bravos-latest-chef-cynosure-roble-ali/

Chef Roble Ali (via Getty Images)

It was a rainy Wednesday as we sloshed into our lunch date at Del Frisco’s Grille with Bravo’s new reality food show star, Chef Roblé & Co.’s Roblé Ali. Despite the weather, Chef Roblé—whose known through blog buzz as the “hip-hop chef”—looks dry and impeccably hip as he orders the appetizers for the table. When the food arrives, the wunderkind chef and recent catering entrepreneur bites into one of his cheesesteak eggrolls. “These are sooo much better than the ones at Justin Timberlake’s place [the restaurant Southern Hospitality],” he moans, eyes closed. “That just wasn’t barbecue. It was very corporate over there. I was so disappointed.”

Not that Chef wants to diss on JT, of course. The former ’N Syncer “comes to Avenue all the time,” he said, referring to the Noah Tepperberg-run restaurant where he cooks. Mr. Ali even manned the burners for his last birthday party. Given the litany of celebs that he  has cooked for—Leonardo DiCaprio, Diddy, record executive Kevin Liles, Russell Simmons, Jay-Z, Bono, Kim Kardashian, Lady Gaga, Megan Fox (whom he didn’t recognize when they were hanging out, funny story … ), Vanessa Williams—it’s no surprise he’s got a reality show (in which he runs a swank catering business with his sister, Jasmine Ali).

After all, haven’t shows like Top Chef and Project Runway proven that cooks and designers with talent and charisma (not necessarily in that order) can ascend to the same star level as those who act in films, sell platinum records, or happen to be the daughters of one of O.J.’s lawyers?

And Roble Ali has the creds: after having been handpicked by nightlife impresario Mr. Tepperberg to be the executive chef at celebrity hotspot Avenue, a reality show on Bravo is a natural move for the attractive and ambitious schmoozer with a culinary gift. He was in the kitchen during The Stanton Social’s launch, alongside his mentor Chris Santos, who also hired the young Mr. Ali as Chef de Cuisine at Mojo. He was the youngest sous chef to work under the prestigious Abigail Kirsch.

“By the way, I really hate the term hip-hop chef,” the 27-year-old stopped us at the first mention of his moniker. “I am not the hip-hop chef. That all started with one blogger. I think Grub Street was the first to call me that, but when I started cooking at Avenue, you’d see it written up in the New York Post, New York magazine, Eater.

Link: http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/septembre-anderson/yasmin-warsame-african-future_b_960433.html

Model and Project Runway Canada judge Yasmin Warsame visited Toronto’s first 7 For All Mankind store in Yorkdale Mall last week with a dual purpose — christen the flagship store and raise awareness about the famine in the Horn of Africa through a group show and silent auction.The group show called Seven Senses featured seven creations made by seven Toronto-based artists— including Justin Broadbent, Caitlin Cronenberg, Elicser, Bryan Espiritu, Phoebe Lo, Julie Moon and Curtis Santiago — with all proceeds from the auction (and a portion of the evening’s proceeds) going to The African Future, a not-for-profit organization that aims to improve the quality of life in Africa through grassroots humanitarian efforts, starting with Somalia.

The East African famine is a crisis that hits close to home for Warsame — she was born in Mogadishu, Somalia and has family living there. “It could just have easily been me or my son starving over there,” said Warsame. “My mom still lives in Somalia so I’m very much attached to it — thank God she’s not in that area that is experiencing that difficulty — but it’s still my people.”

Warsame became involved with The African Future after she returned to Canada after a trip to Somalia. She wanted to help in any way that she could and was on the look out for an organization to partner with.

“One of the things that really captured me was the hands on kind of organization [The African Future is] where a penny leaves here and that penny is in someone’s mouth within a certain period of time,” said Warsame. “There’s no waiting, there’s no middleman, there’s no complications. It’s like someone at Western Union sending you money to feed your family. That’s who we are, we get it directly to the people that need it. I was sold after that.”

In addition to her hosting duties for 7 For All Mankind the Somali-Canadian model and 11-year industry veteran has also worked for luxury brands like Dior, Hermès and Valentino and magazines includingVogue Italia, Elle and Flare. Despite her success her family didn’t always agree with her career choice.

“At first I had to kind of hide it from the family for quite some time but they came around eventually,” said Warsame. “It’s not really something growing up in Somalia that you are allowed to be.”

Warsame hopes to serve as a role model for aspiring models of all nationalities.

“If there is anything that they can take from my life modeling is that you don’t have to be extreme or extra or into drugs or any of that stuff. You can just simply be yourself. Let your work speak for you.”

http://www.sunnewsnetwork.ca/video/support-somalia/1144767782001

To learn more about T.A.F please visit them today at  www.theafricanfuture.org .The need is urgent so please seize the opportunity to make a difference today - a $5 donation could feed a drought victim in Somalia for two weeks.

Mix and mingle for a cause with an international crowd .

For those that want to eat - you will enjoy the comfort of mouth watering exciting food as our chefs bring you some of the best of African cuisine ( Jollof rice, Yassa, our African Sushi and more) and beverages  in a beautiful venue. Served Buffet Style $18

Remember to bring your dancing shoes -  listen to classics and the latest  Afro beats, Afro-Soul, Afro hip hop, Highlife ,Soukous  and more. It promises as always to be a fun filled evening.

Are you doing you’re part? The United Nations annouced more Famine stricken areas in Somalia yesterday. Now 6 of the 10 states in Southern Somalia are famine stricken. The UN estimates if nothing is done 750,000 Somalis WILL DIE OF STARVATION by CHRISTMAS!!! This equates to 1 out of 10 Somalis. In the US that would mean 37.5 Million Somalis dying before Christmas……ITS UNFATHOMABLE….Lets not just stand here and watch it happen….

ACT!! Donate to The African Future @ www.theafricanfuture.org to help save a life!

Authored by Natalie East @ http://natalieast.com/?author=1

7 For All Mankind Store Opening

Wednesday night, I attended the opening of 7 For All Mankind’s flagship store in Yorkdale Mall.

Supermodel Yasmin Warsame hosted the event, representing the charity she’s involved with, The African Future (TAF), a charity that provides food and medical supplies to the drought ravaged country of Somalia.  Warsame was born in Somalia and came to Canada when she was only 15.

I was lucky enough to meet Warsame, who was so gracious and passionate about the charity and their efforts.

The event featured a silent auction where guests could bid on artwork created by seven Toronto-based artists.  All proceeds from the auction and a portion of the evening’s sales profits go to TAF.

True Comfort by Phoebe Lo

Table for 2. Dinner for 1 by Brian Espiritu

Distressed Denim by TALWST Curtis Santiago

TALWST is Curtis Santiago, a musician and artist, was at the event and showing his work entitled “Distressed Denim”.  We got to chat about the event, his work and the alternative hip hop scene in Toronto, so look out for a profile on TALWST coming soon!

TALWST

Santiago’s style is inspired by Haider Ackerman, but was pulled together using vintage pieces.  As a lover of vintage eyewear, I adored his specs, from Aeroplane.

Everybody’s favourite brash MTV host was at the event, Sheena Snively, who posed for pictures and said: “This is my ‘I don’t fit into any of the clothes in this store’ pose!”

There were many fashionable attendees, and bold accessories were everywhere I looked.

I had complete envy over this style blogger’s YSL Arty Ovale ring! It pulled her look beautifully together, by complimenting the blues of her lace skirt and Lanvin t-shirt.

This Proenza Schouler bag is to die for!  A perfect combination of a schoolbag silhouette with stylish sophistication in navy.

I loved this girl’s effortless look.  From her brown woven sandals to her simple blouse and makeup, the vintage belt from a store in Victoria pulled it all together.

This was one of my favourite picks from 7 For All Mankind’s Fall Collection.  The Chloee Jacket ($298) is a beautiful blazer that blends feminine draping with a structured menswear inspired look.  The iridescent metallic fabric is a nice touch as well.

The event was extremely crowded for the small space of the store, but that didn’t stop guests from enjoying champagne and French macaroons.

I have to confess, I gave into my gluten-free diet and indulged in a few of these delectable desserts!

What I wore to the party was a printed chiffon frock, feathered earrings from Aldo, my Zara asymmetrical pumps and my Birkin Illusion bag.  I wanted to wear denim, but I’m glad I didn’t because of the heat!

It was a great night of charity, art and fashion.  Check out the new store (located beside the Apple Store) to grab a perfect pair of jeans for fall and bid on the artwork!