During the last week of October '09, I had a truly magical experience. You may know me as Sista Sense or even Mahogany Momma, but you can now officially me a Disney Diva … thank you very much! I had the pleasure of attending the 2nd Walt Disney World African American Mom Blogger Mixer and there were so many wonderful women of color in the mix! Lead by Laura Spencer, Disney Social Media Manager, we had the pleasure of touring several Walt Disney Resorts and being among the first to welcome the newest member of the Disney Royal Family, Princess Tiana.
The Newest “Magical Mocha Moms”
From Top Left to Right:
Tara Jefferson, theyoungmommylife.com
Angela Cooper, hangingwithmrsacooper.blogspot.com
Deveter Brown, BlackPlanet.com
Onica Cupido, BlasianBabyNotes.blogspot.com
Lorraine Robertson, AskWifey.com
Lashanda Henry, blackparenting.blogspot.com
Lucinda Anderson Hughes, FrugalSocialite.com
Sherrelle Kirkland Andrews, Funkidivagirl.com
Right now just about everything on my body hurts, I think even my hair hurts (lol) … but in a good way. We saw and DID so much at Disney, it was absolutely amazing. Back when I was a kid, we did a few trips to the Magic Kingdom, but honey this takes the cake! I had no idea there was so much to see, do, eat, touch, feel, enjoy, and experience in not just an entertaining, but afro-positive, diverse, pro-black, make you feel good about who you are way! Quiet as it’s kept; Disney is doing a great job of integrating the Black Experience.
Just as they say, Disney is truly magical! As someone who writes so much about pro-black media and the value of creating positive self esteem within black communities, I honestly did NOT know how much Disney has done and continues to do within the black community at large. I had to write a completely different post just to really dive deep into the creation of Princess Tiana, the first Disney African American Princess black girls have been waiting for. And of course, Disney’s newest addition to their ‘Hall of Presidents’ attraction is a life-like robotic figure of President Barack Obama that makes you feel like you are actually in his presence, listening to him speak. Disney has also teamed up with Steve Harvey to create the Disney Dreamers Academy for Urban Youth. Not to mention the fact that I stayed in the Animal Kingdom Resort with a savanna of giraffes and other wildlife right outside my window!
We often say every black person needs to take a trip to Africa. After this weekend, I whole-heartedly feel like every black person needs to be a part of the Disney Experience because there is more for us there than I ever imagined. PLUS you can do Disney on a budget, as I learned from Heather and Darcy, two Magical Moms on the Disney Mom Panel. I’m a lady who loves a good budget, so I definitely have some great tips to share on how you can afford to create an amazing Disney trip for your family even on a small budget.
LaShanda Henry is a full time work at home mom who enjoys teaching other women entrepreneurs how to work the web! She is the creator of Sistasense.com and WorkandWebWomen.com online resource guides for beginner entrepreneurs. She also created the BlackMomsClub.com a Social Network for Black Mothers and Parents for Black Children.
I'm not really into contests BUT I couldn't resist entering Chris in the Gap Kids Casting Call. If you think he's a cutie (cause his mama sure does) vote for him as fan favorite.
Voting URL: http://family.go.com/gapcastingcall/entries/lhenry95/248756994/
Hey Moms...
Quick question. My Chris is 2 and I'm just curious of you guys do the Halloween / Trick or treating thing? My neighborhood was really quiet last year so I was like ... maybe folks don't trick or treat anymore... do you?
Here is Chris on his first Halloween... it was truly a kodak moment for me :)
Disney goes back to the princess well once again with The Princess and the Frog, a movie that's about pretty much what it says, a princess and a frog.
Featuring major names like Oprah Winfrey and Terrence Howard, The Princess and The Frog takes us back to the New Orleans French Quarter at the dawn of the twentieth century--often called the Jazz Age. A visiting prince finds himself turned into a frog by an evil witch doctor, and believes that the only way he can become human again is to receive a kiss from a princess. So when he finds Princess Tiana, he believes his troubles are over...but are they? Check out the trailer!
What do you think guys? I'm gonna go take my son to see it when it comes out. I'm all about supporting and buying Black Cartoons for Chris, so that he always sees his image in media, movies, books, etc.
Related: Black Princess Books, Movies and Party Favors for Kids
Featured Business: AfroParty House Party Favors
This week on the Black Moms Club mommas and poppas are talking about a few very interesting topics:
Violence in the Black Community
The Value of Eating Produce In Season
Be informed be aware
http://blackmomsclub.ning.com/forum
Movie Pick of the Week: Frog Princess
Are you ready for the first Black Princess on Disney?
http://blackmomsclub.ning.com/forum/topics/are-you-ready-for-the-first
Are you interested in the Career Stimulus package? I received information about paid internships and free career counseling. I haven't reviewed all the details but you can by clicking this link: http://mtsma.tk
Positive Images for Black Boys:
http://www.msoyonline.com/mahogany_momma/mom_blackboysinanimatedcartoons.php
Do your teen boys know their rights? Review this page:
http://www.msoyonline.com/black_history.php
More to come! Have a great week! - LaShanda
