PricewaterhouseCoopers donates $4 million to educate Darfur's refugees!
NEW YORK (UNHCR) – PricewaterhouseCoopers has donated US$4 million towards the education of refugee children in eastern Chad's camps, in the single largest corporate donation ever received by the UN refugee agency.
The firm, also known as PwC, presented UNHCR with a cheque for US$4 million in New York on Monday. The funds will be used to build and operate schools for refugee children who have fled the conflict in Darfur, western Sudan. Specifically, more than 20,000 children aged between six and 14 years in the refugee camps of Iridimi, Touloum and Am Nabak in eastern Chad will have access to education in a safe learning environment. The children and their teachers will receive a daily meal. Teacher training and school supplies will also be provided.
"The donation from PwC employees is the largest single company donation UNHCR has ever received. Their generosity will provide direct assistance to refugee children from Darfur who currently have limited options for education," explained António Guterres, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees. "Working together, UNHCR and PwC are committed to providing these children with hope for a better future."
More than 6,000 PwC staff members in more than 100 countries contributed to the 10-day "Power of 10" campaign, which was created by professional services firm PricewaterhouseCoopers together with UNHCR to recognize the 10th anniversary of the company's creation.
"This program will help the children of Darfur maintain hope for a better life through education. It represents the people of PricewaterhouseCoopers at their best," said Samuel A. DiPiazza, Jr, global Chief Executive Officer of PwC. "We have built a strong, successful organization over the past 10 years and demonstrated that we can accomplish great things when we work together. Our unique partnership with UNHCR is evidence of what can be accomplished when elements of the public and private sectors make a commitment to work together to get things done. The impact is profound."
UNHCR will soon begin working with local and international non-governmental organisations in eastern Chad to begin the construction of new schools and repairs on existing classrooms. The work is due to be completed within two years. The PwC contribution will provide sustainable education to refugee children for at least five years.
Some 250,000 refugees from Darfur are now living in 12 camps established and maintained by UNHCR in eastern Chad.
Roelf Kleon, a Power of 10 contributor from PwC Netherlands, said at Monday's event that the campaign had made him appreciate his good fortune in being able to grow up in a country where education is available for everyone. "When I saw the Power of 10 challenge, I, and many others, felt the responsibility to try to give the children of Darfur the same powerful tool for development that we have had," he said.
The Power of 10 campaign took place over 10 business days across PwC's global network of companies. Individual contributions were made by over 6,100 employees, with an average individual donation of $200. Some PwC firms also made institutional contributions on behalf of their employees.
Designers for Darfur’s mission is to mobilize the fashion industry and creative world-at-large towards positive change as we educate, advocate and raise funds on behalf of the Save Darfur Coalition and other related organizations.
This morning I could hardly pull myself out of bed as all night I was bombarded with Fabulous Flashbacks and Naughty Nightmares of the year 1990... This is what I remembered...
- Fear of the United States going into war (one year later we entered the Gulf War)
- Clubs: Sound Factory vs Tracks vs Tunnel
- Deciding if I should stick to wearing Jean Paul Gaultier or give into my secret obsession for the more conservative Yves Saint Laurent - Gaultier actually ruled the early 90's!
(Photo above of yours truly circa 1990-91 courtesy of Bill Cunningham)
- The House of Xtravaganza (I was known as Malcolm X) - the original house of Vogue
- Hubble Space Telescope being placed into Orbit (I never knew why this was such a big deal)
- An obsession with sushi which lead to some sort of weird mercury imbalance
- Deciding that maybe I should give up fashion and begin a more serious career (I worked for one year as an "actuary" for Lloyd's of London - the worse job ever)
- Madonna's The Blonde Ambition Tour
- My best friend Katsumi and I moving from a small downtown 2 bedroom apartment into a Penthouse at 83rd and 3rd Avenue (I felt like George Jefferson - "moving on up")
- The passing of my dear friend - artist Keith Haring
- We had just started hearing about this man from Arkansas that wanted to be President named Bill Clinton
- Formally meeting Madonna who couldn't stop talking about politics and sex (I remember initially not liking her because I thought she was too bossy and too short)
- Most of all what I remember from 1990 was a feeling of being young and invincible even though everyone around me in the fashion, entertainment and art worlds were dying from AIDS, but for some reason I knew that I would be spared to tell and share their stories.
- Madonna and my two best friends of 1990 Jose and Louis Xtravaganza - Rock the Vote
In all fairness, 1990 was truly all about Ms. Madonna - no matter how much we hate to admit it...
Recently I posted on my dear friend, photographer Stan Shaffer and his new book "You Should Have Been With Me", wherein I mentioned his wife and former model, Louise Robey (now known as The Countess of Berisford - she previously married in the title). Well imagine my surprise when I happened to take my weekly guilty pleasure visit over to "Dlisted" and there, in all her glory, was the Countess as their "Hot Slut of the Week".
Now I am sure they use this caption as a term of endearment, but I couldn't help laughing to myself thinking, "What would the Countess say if she knew she had been - "D-Listed?"
As you can see from this recent photo by Stan Shaffer - Louise is still quite a beauty!
Well, you see my kiddies the Countess has a bit of a past (all of which she has spoken about in great length), but for some reason I always thought this "past" was simply shared amongst a small group of her close friends. You see it turns out that back in the 1980's after Louise's modeling days were over she thought it would be a great idea to begin an acting and singing career. She actually starred in perhaps one the most camp shows to ever hit television "Friday the 13th: The Television Series". Imagine? But what she also had was a hit single and video that still has a cult-like following - "One Night in Bangkok".
This video is absolutely legendary. L-e-g-e-n-d-a-r-y!
Now experience has taught me that one should never say never, but I can promise you all there is no acting or singing career in my future for this very reason. I can't bear to think of some smart-ass cyber kid one day podcasting or hyper-cyber-blogging about this old reclusive black dude now living in the penthouse at the Plaza. Yes, Hemingway's heaven takes place at the Ritz in Paris, my heaven on earth takes place at the newly renovated Plaza here in New York City.
I am sure I am way behind on this one - but just came across the latest hand symbol for "Obama"... It is so "H.O.V.A." until I can't stand it! Beyond brilliant! I am so reppinig for Obama.
I will venture to guess that almost five or six years ago, a dear musician friend living in London forced me to listen to a young female artist that he was absolutely in love with… That young woman turned out to be a young Amy Winehouse.
Amy Winehouse circa 2003
After the first track I listened to, I was hooked. I mean hooked in a way that very rarely comes along in this lifetime. Therefore I would spend the next few years after this initial introduction catching bits and pieces of Amy’s incredible live concerts on YouTube, LimeWire or wherever I could find it – I mean I was seriously hooked. Then it happened – Amy decided to cross the pond and turn herself into an international “star”.
You must watch these two videos to truly appreciate how wonderful Amy Winehouse truly was at the beginning of her journey.
From the second it was announced that Amy would be releasing her first international album, I had a very uneasy feeling. I was mainly afraid that her vocal soul and rhythm would get watered down into some frothy pop-like ramblings. Instead I was pleasantly surprised with the release of Fade to Black's rawness and honesty. It was evident that Amy was able to retain her passion and artistry, but the pessimist inside of me wondered "at what cost." Unfortunately we all get to see the cost of Amy's fame every day via YouTube, TMZ and Perez Hilton. I will not go into a long diatribe regarding Amy and her current situation - all I can say it that I have been slightly devastated watching this talented artist trade her life for what we have deemed as “success”.
ADELE
Well early last year, I started hearing whispers about this new singer, Adele. I would often hear these comparisons to Amy Winehouse but I found myself completely devoted to Amy and didn’t even dream of giving this Adele creature the time of day. As the whispers grew into slight rumbling I almost considered giving her a listen, but instead I chose to wait for Amy to change her devilish ways. Then a few months ago another dear friend “forced” me to watch a video of Adele performing live at the Brit awards – I was absolutely mesmerized. I don’t know if I was more mesmerized by her voice or by her choice to reveal herself to world in a “take me as I am” fashion. Either way I knew that Adele was the real thing.
Adele performs live - Brilliant!
Adele’s voice is undeniably beautiful. There is a sense of wonderment and awe in each of her songs with a slight undercurrent of pain and regret. The layers to this woman’s voice and the depths of her lyrics leave me speechless. But every since her album debuted in the States at the beginning of the summer and Adele moved to New York to begin working on her next album, I find myself growing a bit nervous for this song bird. I am just hoping and praying that she will find a way to anchor herself to what is true and real in her life and artistry and hold on to it for dear life. For lack of an inner ancho I would suggest she hang two huge photos of Amy Winehouse marked “Before Fame & Money” and another marked “After Fame & Money”…
I am sure you all have already seen Paris Hilton's response to John McHater's idiotic advertisement comparing Barack Obama's popularity to Paris and Britney. It is hard for me to hide my strong dislike, if not down right pitty for this man. He is truly out of his league.
As much as this girl drives me absolutely nutty - this video ad Rocks!!! I am so very glad she didn't endorse Barack - he absolutely does not need her help. Now I am sure we can expect a video response from Rihanna advising Paris where she can stick her Vice Presidency offer!!!
p.s. On second thought they would look HOT on a Presidential campaign poster!!!
Today CNN reported that "Obama Mania" has even reached the shores of Thailand. This became apparent after our current Goofball of of President George W. Bush made his way over to meet Thailand's very own Goofball of a Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej... It was recently reported that Prime Minister Sundaravej was spotted hiding in a public restroom in order to avoid talking to the press. When Samak finally emerged he yelled at the press for not giving him his privacy... Samak and George are couple made in Goofball heaven.
U.S. President George W. Bush and Thaliand Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej
Luckily the younger generation of Thailand as featured in the CNN piece have a brighter vision for the world and a great deal of belief in Barack Obama. I can't wait until the day we can send our President out in to the world without having the feeling of complete embarrassment when he steps up to the podium. Let's all just stay in prayer and meditation - this day is coming soon.
Barack Obama - A President that we can all be proud of!!!
Late last week I came across photographer Nick Knight’s new video featuring Naomi Campbell addressing racism in the fashion industry. I will admit that I was haunted by this video the entire weekend, but vowed that I wouldn’t comment on it as I am a bit tired of talking about racism in the fashion industry. We can talk about this issue until we are all blue in the face (in my case black and blue in the face), but unless the people who control the industry (the gate keepers) are ready for a “serious” and meaningful dialogue on this subject, within six months the fashion industry will once again return to its racial status quo.
I even managed to stay quiet during this "fuckery" from American Vogue - Is Fashion Racist? Are you kidding me??? HELL YEAH!!!
Nick Knight Photo of Japanese/American model Devon Aoki
But this was Nick Knight finally speaking up – despite his creative genius – this was a crack within the establishment. This was an opportunity to engage one of the gate keepers in a serious dialogue – to understand why a great number of them sit silently by as an entire race is held at bay – an entire race growing angrier and disillusioned.
So first thing this morning, after finding several emails from different friends forwarding me links to this video, I finally decided to shoot off the following to Mr. Nick Knight, both via his amazing website (ShowStudio) and to his direct email (which of course one of my contacts forwarded to me)… I now share these comments with you and look forward to you joining the conversation.
One of my favorite Nick Knight photos of model Debra Shaw
Comments to Nick:
Firstly, Nick - Bravo!!! Thank you so very much for acknowledging the complicity of those that are held responsible for moving fashion forward for being silent partners in this offense. No longer can the gate keepers of fashion remain silent. Silence equals complicity!
My name is Malcolm Harris (Mal Sirrah) and I am an African-American fashion designer living and working here in New York City. My resume reads like a "Who’s Who" in fashion (apprenticed at the houses of YSL, JPG and Paco Rabanne - talents first brought to the forefront by Madonna as well as Patricia Field) meanwhile most people in fashion or in the world have never heard of me... Ask yourself why??? No one has ever disputed my talent (praised by Cathy Horyn, Suzy Menkes and even Diane Von Furstenberg herself), but still, when it comes to the majority of the fashion press and/or industry decision makers promoting a "black fashion designer" is almost unheard of... Remember, without black designers to book black and/or ethnic models, the cycle continues…
Last year I was nominated for the Ecco Domani, CFDA Vogue Fashion Fund and Fashion Group International Rising Star awards and received reference letters and nominations from: Diave Von Furstenberg (president of the CFDA), Cathy Horyn (The New York Times), Ann Watson (Fashion Director of Henri Bendels), Reese Witherspoon (Academy Award winning actress) and Patricia Fields (Style Guru) just to name a few.
I have even been blessed with great career long support from celebrities such as Reese Witherspoon and Madonna - but still the fashion industry prefers to keep black designers in the shadows away from the mainstream as well as the spotlight...
Let me share a quick story with you… Recently, I had a meeting with a potential investor who said to me the most disgusting and racist thing I have ever heard. This man with his huge checkbook and impressive portfolio said to me, “Based on your talent alone I would have no problems backing you today, but the fact of the matter is that it would truly take Barack Obama winning president for me to even consider backing an African-American designer at this moment. People just aren’t ready to buy luxury products from a Black designer.” He said this half-jokingly, which only added to the serious and insulting nature of his comments. I was absolutely floored. He went on to say to me, “People only buy Sean Jean and Kimora’s clothes because they are already big celebrities and they aren’t expensive.” The fact that he was using these two people as reference points as fashion designers truly showed me his lack of respect for me as well as my profession. Of course, I graciously told him to go “Fuck Himself” and that when Barack became President I would come back so that he could “kiss my black ass”. Which brings me to my second point…
I was vilified by the fashion industry for this finale of my show September 2006 fashion show. At this time no one wanted to talk about race - but now two years later its the "new trend"...
I have always made it a point to let people know that racism exists in fashion – and for this, I have been systematically punished by the fashion industry if not shunned because I refuse to “play nice”. And this has come from both parts of the field – politically correct blacks that don’t want me to make any waves and whites that wish I would simply take my toys and go home. I haven’t even heard that blacks should be more like Asians in fashion and simply “sneak in the best way we know hose”… This was whispered to me by a prominent “African-American” in the fashion industry. Believe me when I say – “Racism in fashion is alive and thriving…”
Nick when you pointed out how this behavior of silent and complicit racism within the fashion industry makes you increasingly sad and angry – I ask you – “Imagine how we feel?” My own personal anger and sadness are palpable. But instead of the fashion industry addressing our concerns they turn us into raging figures of hatred and bitterness and label us “Angry Black Men or Women”. My disdain for Naomi Campbell’s public persona is well recorded and doesn’t really require any lengthy commentary, however, I myself am guilty of never asking – “Just why does Naomi continue to behave in this manner?” I finally believe I know why… The answer has been staring us all in the face but we all chose to ignore it. “Naomi is a product of an industry that has overtly told her since she was a teenager that you are not as good nor as valuable as your white counterpart. You will always be less than and simply consider yourself lucky to be here.” That is why Naomi is so very angry… This is why such a beautiful creature continues to behave in such an ugly way…
Almost two years ago I was featured in The New York Times (two years straight) just before fashion week regarding being one of the few black fashion designers showing during fashion week. In less than two year since this last article ran, I have lost almost all desire to be a part of the fashion industry as it exists today. Instead, I have created an entire new language and forum for myself that has almost nothing to do with the “powers-that-be” or the fashion industry per se. I have found a way to reach my customer base direct. But I am one of the fortunate few… On a daily basis I receive emails from black designers, models, hair/make-up artists and fashion stylists wondering why there aren’t many blacks in fashion for them to aspire to be like, or why they can’t find a way to “get in”… I wish people could feel the pain and frustration in most of these emails. I try my best to answer them as cautiously as possible as I always want to give them hope – but sometimes it’s difficult to dispense hope when you know that an entire industry is guarding the gate in an effort to keep them out. And this has more to do with simple advertising dollars and cents.
Something tells me that the fashion industry preferred it when we were relegated to selling baked goods instead of beauty products
Liya Kebede for Estee Lauder
I truly do believe the proverbial Pandora’s box on racism has been opened and we must all now have the courage to keep it open. The dialogue must be broadened beyond simply using black models as we all know they merely act as a microcosm if not shield to fashion’s dirtier secret.
Nick, as an African-American fashion designer, I would like to personally thank you for acknowledging the struggle of blacks in fashion through your narrative as well as commemorating our anger and frustration via your stirring video of a machine gun wielding Naomi. The discussion has now begun – now let’s hope we can collectively move towards reparations…
The time has finally come for fashion to truly move forward!!!
As has become evidently clear over the past week, John McHater truly has my proverbial "panties in a bunch." Luckily the amazing YouTuber that produced the wildly popular "Ted Stevens: A Series of Tubes" video, has produced a brand new video exposing John McCain as the War Monger he truly is... This video is truly a must see - John McHater Exposed - Master of War!!!
I can't believe it - twice in one week this man has made a complete fool of himself. John McHater launches yet another ad campaign hating Barack Obama. He is absolutely foolish... I just don't know when we can expect the "fuckery" of John McHater to end...
Meanwhile, below is the video I received from Barack Obama's campaign manager, David Plouffe, just this afternoon as a thank you for donating to Barack's campaign fund yesterday. You would think that McHater's campaign would have learned their lesson by now. I beg them to keep it up, as in the immortal words of 50 Cent - "and if they hate then let them hate and watch the money pile up"
Gratutious "Fitty" Club banger - this song is truly legendary!!!
John McCain can't be serious with this new advertisement "CELEB" - He just can't be serious... Comparing Barack Obama to Paris and Britney - come on dude. At least raise the bar. Let's hope the next time he decides to hate he will simply pick up his toys and go home...
Barack isn't some common celebrity - He's an International Political Rock Star!!!
Our video response to John McCain's fuckery!!! Hi Hater, Hi Hater, Hi Hater!!!
Recently my dear friend and mentor, photographer Stan Shaffer asked me to contribute a passage to his new book entitled “You Should Have Been With Me”. This book is a photographic journey through this illustrious photographer’s personal life and career (shot for Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, YSL, Armani, and the list goes on and on).
Stan's daughter, the gorgeous Ms. Allie Shaffer
Words can not begin to express my affection for Stan Shaffer and his entire family. His daughter Allie and I share a “soul family”, if you know what I mean, and his son Justin (resembling a young JFK, Jr.) is perhaps the most refined young man I have ever met. The Shaffer offspring possess the legacy of the quintessential privileged Bohemia, however, lead their modern lives with both feet humbly anchored to the ground.
Stan Shaffer took these iconic photos of Angelica Houston
Long before Janice was proclaiming herself "the world's first supermodel" she was simply Stan's muse and friend (p.s. a gentlemen never tells)
I can’t even remember how long ago I met Stan Shaffer and perhaps that isn’t important as it was surely love at first sight. The kind of love that artists share when they know they have met a kindred spirit. There is perhaps a 30 year age difference between Stan and I but that matters not, Stan-the-Man, as I affectionately call him, has hipped me to music and artists of today that normally would have escaped my radar.
Producer and Rapper "Omen" photographed by Stan Shaffer
The first shoot Stan and I ever worked on together features Eva Pigford as Josephine Baker
Another great project I worked on with Eva Marcille and Stan Shaffer
From the day I met Stan he has always had his finger on the pulse of what is coming next, often with very little attention ever being paid to the present or the past. Therefore to see Stan finally taking a look at his glorious past via this magnificent book is truly a time of reverence and humility for a mere mortal such as me… Stan Shaffer is truly a creative God.
Stan was a regular fixture at Andy Warhol's "The Factory" - The photo of Stan in the center was actually snapped by Andy Warhol.
This is a must see - Stan shoots Andy Warhol in the Great Gatsby - The first time Andy Warhol ever agreed to be placed in a costume (of sorts) for another photographer. LEGENDARY!!!
Recently, Stan married former model and YSL muse, Louis Robey formally known in the Royal Court as The Countess of Burford, and moved to the South of France. One of my greatest joys in life was watching this courtship mature into a beautiful union of creative spirits. I have plans to visit them in their new home before the year is over where I am sure we will work on some interesting new project as well as go over the final touches for the book... Just the thought of seeing Stan-the-Man again sends me to a place of creativity and possibility.... Wow, I just can't even begin to explain it... You guys really "Should have been with me..."
From this point forward - The Changing Room - will only feature a weekly blog post giving you a wrap-up of my life as a fashion designer, creative-activist and general pain-in-the-collective-ass of the fashion industry and world-at-large. What this simply means is that you can find me daily on FaceBook where I will be micro-blogging my passions, dreams and hopes for the world and fashion on a 24 hour basis.
Let the Micro-blogging begin!!!
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