Mrs. Maryland International 2011

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