Do grown women talk? Yes, they do, and they were really talking last weekend during DeShai Cole’s Ultimate Girl’s Festival in Atlanta, Saturday January 12. This 2-part festival was the latest installment that began – and continues – as a radio show aptly titled “Grown Women Talk” on the Sensation Station Network every Tuesday at 9 p.m. EST.
Girls Day Out
Saturday Morning featured the Rejuvenation of the Mind events, meant to revive the women with useful information about health, beauty, relationships and business. Panel workshop discussions such as “What Do Men Really Think” featuring Actor Lance Gross, Lifestyle Specialist Kenny Burns, Model/Actor Lamarr Ladd, Branding Executive Timothy Davidson and Internet Radio Host Sean Pryme, and “So You Wanna Be The Boss” with Celebrity Hair Stylist Gocha, Sheen Magazine Publisher & Owner of Nairobi Hair Care Products Kimberly Chapman, Celebrity Publicist April Love, Co-Host of the Rickey Smiley Morning Show Ebony Steele and Celebrity Chef/Producer/Writer Madison Shannon Kelly. The turnout was well received for these presentations, as were the workshops featuring Fitness and Lifestyle Coach Jackie Red of Jackie Red Fitness, KoKo Laurent, BJ Arnett, Jamali the Make-Up Artist, and other hosts.
I was able to catch a quick interview with DeShai about the event and what this really was about.
“I started having events in my hometown of Houston and it grew. I brought it to Atlanta to Hotel 12 – in a little room – just wanting to see the turnout and the women packed the room. This enabled me to see really how interested women are in relationships. I wanted to make it bigger and started doing a girls night out where we do everything in a few hours, and it was jam packed. So I wanted to make it a full day where women could come and learn, have classes, seminars, and party at night.”
Girls Day Shopping
Of course if workshops and panel discussions weren’t your thing, there was always shopping. There were vendors and snacks that were sure to please the palate. My Girlfriend’s Closet, Funky Flair Boutique, Envision Hair Stylist & Barber, B.J. Arnett’s Model Majesty and Susan Newberry Designs were just a few. Light snack such as coffee, tea, brownies and cookies were sure to satisfy that sweet tooth if you wanted.
This was about women, but it was also about men. How can you not have men at a girl’s night out event? Well, you don’t.
“On our show once a week we do a mal perspective,” Says DeShai. “This means bringing in one or two men to talk about topics. So I reached out to celebrities in Atlanta. Women want to know what men think, how men feel. We women talk all the time about how we feel, so t would be good to get a male’s perspective. Successful men who are successful in their career. I know women want to know and I thought it would be good to expand that. To have a little celebrity on the panel and make it fun.”
Girls Night Out
If the business of rejuvenation is serious business, so is the party which was held at Harlem Nights in downtown Atlanta. This promised to be a very live event due to the featured performing artists. Kandi Burruss from Bravo televison's the Real Housewives of Atlanta, Sunshine Anderson, Tocarra Hamilton, Meme B. Jones ALL turned the house out. An unexpected bonus were the appearances of Rasheeda from VH1's Love & Hip-Hop: Atlanta, and D.J. Tracey Steele. Even the event hostess DeShai Cole gave us a taste of her singing. This multi-talented woman is also an accomplished R&B singer. There was a large representation from DeShai’s hometown of Houston. I’m here to testify that the Houston women do it as big as the state of Texas. Some partiers needed no man because they came to party.
“The goal is to do this once a year,’ stated DeShai. “Two hundred women bought tickets for this event. It’s to empower women so they can plan 6-months in advance (for the next). Then there’s a book coming in late 2013 called ‘30 Ways To Please Your Man’.“
You can listen to DeShai’s weekly radio program every Tuesday at 9 p.m. on Beat 94.7 FM in North Carolina, and on the Internet everywhere else.
“I’m after syndication because people are starting to pay attention. I want the show to be Sex and The City for radio. Women log on and we have our cocktails … and we talk about what we’re drinking.”
Many things are happening for this media personality that needs watching and listening for. B all accounts, this first event was really well put together and I learned some things I need not mention at this time. But isn’t that what empowering is all about, whether it’s male or female? That’s why I’m sure next year will be even bigger because that’s how they do it in Texas, but it will be biggest in Atlanta.
For more photos, go here and click on "Read More": http://thethirdsystem.tumblr.com/post/40872231516/ultimate-girls-festival-atlanta-2013
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