Divas Abroad in Belize for 2015

I am so happy to share with you that I will be headed to Belize, Central America with the 2015 Divas Abroad volunteer initiative - but first, I would love your help!

For 10 consecutive days, the Divas Abroad will collectively work to provide classes, workshops and exercises intended to empower women in Belize. This is truly an honour and I look forward to sharing my passion internationally with others while learning so much more in the process.

The experience is NOT to earn profits/revenue - this fund campaign is to cover basic travel and management costs. The purpose of the trip is to empower women; both the women organizing the trip (working together as a collective) and the women we will connect with in Belize. 

How Can You Donate To The Campaign?

Donate Online HERE Through My #GoFundMe Campaign Page.

You are also invited to the Divas Abroad fundraising events:

*Update* Dance In Support of #DivasAbroad15

Friday, October 23rd, 2015

3637 Grand Park Drive

Event Info here: http://divasabroad15.eventbrite.com

“Vino Y Queso” - A Wine & Cheese Soiree

Saturday, October 17th, 2015

75 East Liberty Street

Event Info here: https://www.facebook.com/events/150666868608503

What Is Divas Abroad?

Divas Abroad is an amazing initiative that allows the opportunity for women to empower women. Two leading women-based communities, DivaGirl  and Sexy & Wealthy in Heels have teamed up with Dare to be a Dandelion, to create a volunteering experience for women in North America, to empower women in another country. 

The program will offer a group trip (in which fundraising initiatives will take place to attempt to cover basic costs), to take place November 13-23rd, 2015. Leaders within our community will work on building initiatives as a board. For 2015, we will be heading to Belize and partnering with the Cornerstone Foundation.

Why Belize?

In Belize, the tradition of women devoting their lives to caring for their home and children results in financial dependence on their partners. The current prevalence of alcohol and drug addiction stresses the unreliability of too many fathers and husbands as sources of support. Even when a woman is a significant participant in a family business, her contribution tends to be undervalued or unrecognized. 

The average village family has eleven children, and the average town family has five. Due to large family sizes, many of the women have inadequate education and vocational skills, as girls often do not attend school. Perhaps most unfortunate is that domestic violence is a taboo subject in Belize. The Divas Abroad workshops will empower and support women in these conditions to be successful entrepreneurs and leaders.

Our Partner Organization: The Cornerstone Foundation

 Cornerstone Foundation is a local organization founded in the town of San Ignacio, district of Cayo, Belize. 

They are a grass roots organization founded on the humanitarian principals of recognizing the specific needs facing their community. Their concerns are for the community and each individual that it encompasses, regardless of his or her condition. 

Cornerstone advocates for children and women's rights. They encourage women in violent situations to seek solutions and empower themselves with skills that enable them to achieve a degree of financial independence.
To find out more:  http://cornerstonefoundationbelize.org  

I thank you in advance for your support – IT MEANS THE WORLD!
Every dollar counts and is appreciated.

Xoxo,

Shakera 

#DivasAbroad15

#FlashbackPhoto - Weekend To End Cancer

Past Blog Here: http://simplyshakera.blogspot.ca/2014/09/weekend-to-end-womens-cancers.html

The 2014 Walk to End Women’s Cancer

Stay Connected Via:

Twitter: @SimplyShakera
Instagram:  @SimplyShakera
YouTube: Simply Shakera
Email:  info@simplyshakera.com

In Case You Missed It (I.C.Y.M.I)

The aim of Simply Shakera Inc. is to spread Dance, Fitness, and Culture throughout the community. These areas are very dear to me so I thank you all for embracing the work I put out from them. When you are moving around so much writing becomes challenging; hence the small gap since my last post but surge of videos on my YouTube channel. Nonetheless, with Toronto Carnival season in full swing and Pan Am Games on its way the GTA will be buzzing! There will be lots to see, lots of moments to capture, lots of people to meet, and even more things to write about – can’t wait!

Below are a few highlights from the past couple of weeks:

Dance

'SS Flash Mob' on the Marilyn Denis Show

Disguised as audience members, the SimplyShakera flash mob initiated a marriage proposal on the March 31st episode of the Marilyn Denis Show.

If the video is not visible, click the link here: http://youtu.be/anfWAsk5zAQ

Thank you to the awesome dancers and volunteers who brought the mob to life:
For booking inquires please email info@simplyshakera.com.

Meet Me At The Diner with High Society Cabaret

A showcase taking you back to one of the most popular hang out spots in the 1950s. Thank you to all who were in attendance! The ladies and I had a blast in our crinoline poodle skirts. Here are a few great photos taken by Billy Archos. 

Fitness

Socialize, Energize, Exercise (S.E.E.)

I missed this so much last month! S.E.E. you Friday, May 29th for Socialize, Energize, Exercise! New location same vibes! Dress to sweat ladies! This event is dedicated to women connecting, women enjoying a night out and women getting physically active!
Looking forward to the latin fusion workout instructed by Carnival Spice.

Ticket info and further details available HERE.

SNAPD visited S.E.E. as well - check out their review!

https://etobicoke.snapd.com/event/804992#/

Photo Courtesy of SNAPD Etobicoke

The Carnival Spice Workout Series

If you ever attended a Dance An Ting event or taken a Carnival Spice workout class then you KNOW the vibes are coming. Carnival Spice will be hosting TWO three-week workouts in the GTA just in time for Toronto Carnival & Cropover in Barbados. Classes are 70 minutes long and each will be a different adventure. Bring on the Caribbean vibes and save the dates!

Monday July 6^th, 13^th, & 20^th.

Downtown Toronto – 7:30pm to 9pm

Thursday July 2nd, 9th, & 16th.

Downtown Brampton – 7:30pm to 9pm

Photo Courtesy of SNAPD Cabbagetown

Registration info and further details will be released via the Carnival Spice Facebook Page. Click HERE to join the page!

Culture

Toronto Caribbean Carnival is only a few weeks away!  The Carnival Spice model team hit the runway at costume launches for Saldenah Mas, Carnival Nationz, Toronto Revellers, and Fantazia International – pretty mas everywhere! I am curious to know what costume you have selected for the big day. Please share in the comments section below.

 

Photo Courtesy of The Caribbean Camera

Be sure to check out #Countdown2Carnival on YouTube. #Countdown2Carnival are video installment that will be shared with the public through my eye. Toronto Carnival Season is full of many highlights - all which lead up to the grand parade on Saturday, August 1st. Look out for costume tips, engage with other masqueraders, get behind the scene action from special events, and check out various performances by Carnival Spice entertainment. 

Episode One: The Saldenah Mas Costume Launch

If the video is not visible, click the link here: https://youtu.be/RYG9lQ__wx0

Episode Two: The Toronto Revellers Costume Launch

If the video is not visible, click the link here: https://youtu.be/nKrUG48OTAQ

That’s all folks! Till next time.

Xoxo,

Stay Connected With Me Via:


Twitter: @SimplyShakera
Instagram:  @SimplyShakera
YouTube: Simply Shakera
Email: info@simplyshakera.com

Weekend to End Women’s Cancers



First Photo After The Finish Line

On behalf of team Bosom Buddies 2014, I would like to thank everyone who joined us on our journey towards the Shoppers Drug Mart’s “Weekend to End Women’s Cancer”. With your tremendous support we raised over $8, 500!! PLUS as a team, we walked a total off 188km!!! More importantly, together we all brought awareness and funds to the Princess Margaret Cancer Center.

 

 

 

The Weekend to End Women’s Cancer was quite the experience. On Day One, the ladies and I were up bright and early getting dressed in our "all-pink everything" attire. Thank you to FaReal Custom Tees for printing our shirts. Take a closer look at who some of us were walking for.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My Welcome Message: http://instagram.com/p/smnlm5u7F8/

All participants and volunteers met 7:20am at the Rogers Center. As a collective we ate breakfast, performed some stretches (led by Ace, the Blue Jay’s mascot) and listened to some very inspirational stories from folks whose lives have been affected by Cancer.   

 

 

Ace <3

Say Hello To The Royale Kitten

The "Toronto Women In Mining"

Get It Ladies!

 

That Time I Was On The Jumbo Tron!

"Aint Nobody Got Time For Cancer"

"Mighty Mel" and "Ambitious Audrey"

And We're Off!

 

 

We then made our way through the streets of Toronto. Boy did I get a detailed tour of the city. All I remember was leaving the Rogers Center, blinking two times, and we were at Jane and Bloor! (DO YOU KNOW HOW FAR THAT IS!?!) That distance alone was confirmation to me that we are all capable of doing ANYTHING as long as you were willing to do the work!

 

The Rain Held Up For Us

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Wonder Women

 

 

I photo bombed Team "T-Cell"

 

There were stations all along the route from supporters <3

 

Sis & I - Completing 13.9km

 

The "Double Bubble" Crew

OLD MILL STATION!!!



 

Channeling Our Inner Ballerina - My Hand Placement Is Horrible Though!! Lol

 

 

Organizers did keep us entertained throughout the time. We had mini cheer stations along the route; some had food, some had cultural entertainment, and some had DJs! I even spotted the Energizer Bunny and mayoral candidate Olivia Chow.

 

"TUTU" Cute!

 

Selfies!

Hey Chinatown!!!

 

 

There was also stations from Ukraine, Latin America, and more! The #CarnivalSpice in me was really happy to see a Junkanoo Bahamian Band and Steel Pannist "On Di Road" too!

 

 

Check out a clip of the pannist here:

http://instagram.com/p/snlIK7u7LH/

 

 

 

 

Toronto is such a beautiful city. Right before approaching the lakeshore we stared in aww at the city skyline... Then filmed a little clip for you!

 

 If the video isn't visible, click the link here: http://youtu.be/Ro8bpZ0N3b0

 

Team "Bosoms Up"

 

After 8 ½ hours our day one walk to end cancer was complete. What a journey. I can’t really describe the different pains my body was feeling because I was so overjoyed by the accomplishment. 32km???? and I wasn’t playing mas???? I am still in shock (ha!). Below is a three women who also completed the walk. We were all rewarded with a t-shirt that read "WE DID THIS TOGETHER" and we truly did!! I want to give a HUGE HUGE shout out to my Bosom Buddies team mate Dawnette for completing Day Two of the weekend. Her second walk was 28km! We are all so proud.

 

 

 

 

 

Cheers to the next adventure and big hugs and kisses to Carolyn Van, Sistah Angie, Kay Blair, the Bosom Buddies 2014, My Loving Family & My Awesome Friends <3

One last thing... for the "breast" mortgage rates call the "Mortgage Lady"!! :D

xoxo

 

 

 

Stay Connected Via:


Twitter: @SimplyShakera
Instagram:  @SimplyShakera
YouTube: Simply Shakera
Email: info@simplyshakera.com