Usama Young's 3rd Annual Stay Focused Weekend Celebrity Bowling Event

I had the opportunity to participate in the Usama Young Youth Foundation - Stay Focused Weekend events and had an amazing time meeting Usama, other NFL players and the attendees. It's great to see the youth that leave there communities come back to make and difference and be the difference in paying it forward and helping others. Usama has been dedicated to helping to develop and mentor the youth in his community and continues to be a shining example of how to stay involved.

Usama Young's 3rd Annual Stay Focused Weekend Celebrity Bowling Event

uyyf.eventbrite.com

STAY FOCUSED WEEKEND 2011 Join New Orleans Saints Safety and DMV native, Usama Young along with his NFL friends by bowling for charity. Help Usama raise money for the Usama Young Youth Foundation's Young's Scholars Afterschool Program. For more information about Usama, the UYYF or Stay Focused

Thanks to Madison Donovan Group and Deanna McCray James for securing tickets for the MD International titleholders to attend the Heart and Soul Awards Gala in Baltimore, Md. I had an amazing and memorable evening walking the Red Carpet, being treated as VIPs and rubbing elbows w/ Boris and Nicole Ari Kodjoe, Vanessa Williams, Michael Baisden, Jeff Bradshaw, Kindred The Family Soul, Jeff Majors and other VIP guests.

The highlight of the evening was meeting the community activist and award recipients who were honored for all of the work they do to make a difference in our communities and across the world. Awardees ranged from the First Lady Michelle Obama, Doctors who not just heal your wounds on the outside, they help you heal on the inside. Fitness and health minded people who worked diligently to keep their body healthy both inside and outside and help inspire others to do the same. Community activists who are engaged in revitalization of areas where planting seeds of change not just improve the environment but is a pathway to economic prosperity for its residents.  Awardees that were driven to make a difference through and by what they were experiencing and used that to change the lives of others. One of the Awardees was Ambassador Susan Johnson-Cook, Ph.D. and was recently confirmed as the U.S. Ambassador on Religious Freedom and the first African-American woman to hold that position. She will be traveling the world, representing, and promoting tolerance for all religions. I had an opportunity to speak with the Ambassador and know that her work will be challenging but resolved that she has the heart and ability to be an amazing representative for our county. 

The awards ceremony was hosted by Boris Kodjoe and Vanessa Williams. The entertainment by MAYSA, Kindred The Family Soul and Doreen Vail and we were assigned special seating in the front row. Thanks to Hear & Soul Magazine for all they do in helping us live healthier, wealthier and wiser lives and for acknowledging some of the most remarkable women and one very special man for doing the same in their lives and others in their communities.

Sandra Bryan-Grier
Mrs. Maryland International 2011

Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure® - 2011 Washington D.C.

I was honored to be invited to participate in the

Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure®

on the National Mall. I had an opportunity to be in attendance to meet and greet attendees who would visit the Global Tour Pink Bus that provided relevant information through a computer simulated program for everyone who participated. I met attendees who were there walking or racing in loving memory for a family member or friend, others who were there to celebrate life as "Survivors" or there to support the organization as they work to find a cure. Most touching were the young children who were walking for and with their mothers, aunts and grandmothers who were fighting or survived breast cancer.

Until there is a cure we all have to be vigilant in being aware of early detection, yearly exams as needed based on age or history and knowing your body to address any changes. This is not a disease that only affect women, it has been a equal opportunity disease and men and women have the same battle ahead in working together to find a cure for breast cancer. Look forward to volunteering again next year and for any other events and opportunities they have in our area.

Sandra Bryan-Grier
Mrs. Maryland International 2011

Red Carpet Newsmakers Segment for S.E. Tennis Center Ball with Venus and Serena Williams

http://www.comcastcreative.com/video/SETennisLCGala.wmv

Countdown to Mrs. International 2011 National Competition July in Chicago

Wow! How time has flown over the past few months as I prepare to compete for Mrs. International 2011 in Chicago from July 19th - 23rd. Every day has been an exhilarating experience in promoting my platform of mentoring young people and being out in our communities volunteering and promoting the Mrs International system. My Director DeShawn has been absolutely amazing supporting me at every step of my journey. I have met some amazing women who are sincerely committed to making a positive difference in the lives of others and put their hearts into their platform, being mothers, wives and managing their careers.

Look forward to the remaining days before Nationals and all of the upcoming appearances in our community.

Thanks for your continued support and talk to you next time.

Sandra Bryan-Grier
Mrs. Maryland International 2011

Become a Big Brother Big Sister Today! There is a Little waiting for you.

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Making a Big Difference, One Child at a Time In the
Washington Region
Haciendo la gran diferencia, un menor a la vez
Serving Washington, DC, Northern Virginia and Suburban Maryland
Together, we are changing what it means to grow up in the Washington DC Metropolitan Region “expanding horizons through the power of One-To-One mentoring relationships”.

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Cast a Vote for Mrs. Maryland International™, Sandra Bryan-Grier

http://www.mrsinternational.com/voting.php?id=436
Vote for your Mrs International® contestant Sandra Bryan-Grier. The deadline to vote is July 23rd at 12:00 Noon Central Standard Time. 

Please take a moment to go online and vote for me before the deadline on July 23rd. I would greatly appreciate your support and participation. It has been an amazing journey representing my title as Mrs. Maryland International 2011 and being out in our communities and across the state promoting mentoring of our youth and recruiting Big Brothers and Big Sisters. You can continue to follow my journey on my blog with updates from appearance and  thoughts as I prepare for Nationals in Chicago.

Thanks for your continued support and encouragement.

Sandra Bryan-Grier
Mrs. Maryland International 2011