The United States of America’s First Lady, Mrs. Michelle Obama opens up about her White House mentoring program in this month’s issue of More Magazine.

“Growing up the way that I did — kid from the South Side, going to public schools — the more my career developed, I realized how much I didn’t see, how little exposure I had to opportunities.”

FLOTUS Michelle Obama’s More Magazine cover picture is absolutely breathtaking…. Equally amazing is the elite White House mentoring program created by the First Lady herself…

“To open a secret door for others that hadn’t been opened for me,” by pairing disadvantaged girls with some of the powerful women in the land.

Mrs. Obama explains to the newest inductees of high schoolers, noting that the President’s internal White House acronym is POTUS:

““They call me FLOTUS, for first lady of the United States. And there are many times when FLOTUS and POTUS feel like characters.”

There have even been times, she says, when she’s craned her own neck to see which celebrity might be causing all the excitement.

“And it’s me. Oh, man, it’s FLOTUS. FLOTUS is here. No one told me FLOTUS was coming.”

FLOTUS Michelle Obama tells her class of mentees:

“But sometimes, I just want to be Michelle. So you guys have to start slowly seeing me as Michelle, all right?”

For more about Michelle Obama’s unique mentoring program–and why it is so personally meaningful to her–read the full story in the February 2012 More Magazine, on sale now.

2011 saw some high profile couples calling it quits.

Zimbabwe Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai divorced Locadia Karimatsenga Tembo after only 12 days of marriage; followed by Kim Kardashian and Kris Humphries who filed for divorce after 72 of marital bliss. Added to the list, Katy Perry and Russell Brand; Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher;  Kim Kardashian and Kris Humphries;  Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony; Bradley Cooper and Renee Zellweger; Shakira and Antonio de la Rua; Hugh Hefner and Crystal Harris…the list goes on! But you get the picture!

So we decided to focus on the good and review African/Black couples that prevail and continue to prevail….

Our power couples are two people who have been together for a long time, endured challenges (mostly publicly) with grace, are widely successful and epitomize the true essence of “Black love”.

We have listed these role models who keep their love going against all odds and are a force to be reckoned with.

They bring hope even when it’s hard times for love. They are some of the world’s most loved unions and they gather intense interest from the public at large and are well known. Even though they have come across challenges they remain together against all odds. They are the epitome of 21st century couples.

Here they are….

Hey my darlings people!

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You want some motivation, inspiration to end of your week?! Look no further, we got it for you, right here on FaraiToday.com!

U.S. first lady Michelle Obama with Nelson Mandela‘s wife, Graca Machel

As y’all are aware by now, our very fab First Lady, Mrs. Michelle Obama is in the middle of a week-long tour of South Africa and Botswana, her second official solo visit abroad as First Lady.

First Lady, Michelle Obama in South Africa

Some key points from her speech:

I’m here because I believe that each of you is ready, right here and right now, to start meeting these challenges. True leadership often happens with the smallest acts, in the most unexpected places, by the most unlikely individuals.

You can be the generation that holds your leaders accountable for open, honest government at every level, government that stamps out corruption and protects the rights of every citizen to speak freely, to worship openly, to love whomever they choose.

You can be the generation to ensure that women are no longer second-class citizens, that girls take their rightful places in our schools. (Applause.)

You can be the generation that stands up and says that violence against women in any form, in any place — (applause) — including the home — especially the home — that isn’t just a women’s rights violation. It’s a human rights violation. And it has no place in any society.

You see, that is the history that your generation can make…

First Lady Michelle Obama‘s full Address to The Young African Women Leaders:
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Love!

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African Women Leaders Stand Up!

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Hi Y’All!!!

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This got me super duper geeked! Nothing thrills me more than a “Young, African Woman” making it happen! I have said it before and I will say it again….African Girls Rock! And here is one that is simply amazing! Brendah Nyakudya.

Brendah Nyakudya

So I found out that a couple of my girlfriends were attending United States of America, First Lady Michelle Obama’s Young African Women Leaders’ Forum at Regina Mundi Church, Soweto, South Africa on June 22nd.

I tweeted about it and Brendah responded to one of my tweets letting me know that she was going to be attending. Girlfriend was modest because she never let on about the work that she does that led to her being invited to attend to this very historic event.

I knew that something was up because First Lady Michelle Obama had this to say about Brendah and the “75 extraordinary young African women leaders” that were invited:

And of course, I want to recognize our guests of honor — these 76 extraordinary young women leaders from here in South Africa and across the continent. (Applause.)

These are young women transforming their communities and their countries, and let me tell you I am so impressed by all of them. I am so proud of everything they have achieved…And it is because of them that we are able to gather here today. It is because of them that so many of these young women leaders can now pursue their dreams.

It is because of them that I stand before you as First Lady of the United States of America. (Applause.)

So what does Brendah do you ask?

Well, Brendah Nyakudya, who is Zimbabwean-born, and her partner, Kalib started raising funds to open nursery schools in South Africa’s impoverished communities about six years ago, (2005) after reading some disturbing research. “The stats were showing that children who never went to pre-school had a higher probability of actually dropping out of school at a later stage,” Brendah said.

Fast forward to today and Brendah & Kalib have three sponsored schools where children are not only educated but clothed and fed as well.

I got chills when I read about Brendah & her amazing work in South Africa! Like, this is so inspirational! Check out her story on CNN below & I love how she didn’t expect that one day, the significant contributions her work in her community, would secure her a spot at the most sought-after gathering of women on the continent.

Check Brendah out on CNN Africa:

*Sob, Sniff, Sniff* Kleenix anyone?!

We salute you Brendah and all the Young

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African Women Leaders Making A Difference

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In Their Communities!

Holla back!

Source / Photo: CNN; Brendah Nyakudya

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Happy Sunday!

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Love Jill Scott! Love, love, love her!!!

Jill Scott

So y’all know that President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama (love ‘em both!) welcomed accomplished poets, musicians, artists and students from across the country to the White House this past Wednesday for a celebration of American poetry and prose.

Wednesday evening, the artists showcased the impact of poetry on American culture, with performances by Elizabeth Alexander, Billy Collins, Common, Rita Dove, Kenneth Goldsmith, Alison Knowles, Aimee Mann, Jill Scott and Steve Martin and the Steep Canyon Rangers.

Said President Obama about poetry & its impact:

Everybody experiences it differently. There are no rules for what makes a great poem. Understanding it isn’t just about metaphor or meter. Instead, a great poem is one that resonates with us, that challenges us and that teaches us something about ourselves and the world that we live in. As Rita Dove says, ‘If [poetry] doesn’t affect you on some level that cannot be explained in words, then the poem hasn’t done its job.’

Check out Jill Scott‘s fab poetry recital:

*bliss*

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Your Thoughts!?!

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Love ya for it!

Happy Holidays Guys & Dolls!

“It’s beginning to look alot like Christmas!”…My most fave time of the year & my favorite couple, The First Couple, President Obama & First Lady Michelle Obama attended the “Christmas in Washington” celebration and concert at the National Building Museum.”Christmas in Washington”, hosted by Ellen DeGeneres and featuring Mariah Carey (who is expecting twins), and Annie Lennox, was taped this past Sunday and airs tonight at 8pm on American television channel TNT.

According to the New York Post:

The secondhand 1950s piece — believed to be the first vintage dress worn by a first lady to a public event — was made by American designer Norman Norelli, who died in 1972 and was among the most influential designers of his time.

Mrs. Marian Robinson, mom to FLOTUS, wore a leafy, lace dress from Talbots.

Nothing “thrifty” about this frock! Two words…UBER FAB!

Peep the President and First Lady at Harriet Tubman Elementary School where the President signed the “Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010“….

For this event, FLOTUS Michelle rocked  a gray, scoop-neck, Jersey-knit dress from the Derek Lam Spring 2011 collection with a lucite Alexis Bittar flower pin and camel-colored, knee-high boots….She “slam-dunked” it again!!!

* Note to my fashionista’s out there, “gray and camel punctuated by leopard print” is so in right now!

How Fab Does Our First Lady Look?!

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Speak on it! We love to hear from you guys!

Wishing you and your loved ones a spectacular Christmas & prosperous New Year!

Photo: Yuri Gripas / Reuters Pictures

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President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama welcomed the National Governors Association to the White House for the 2010 Governors Ball this past Sunday. This was the first large White House dinner in 2010. Fun & light hearted speech by the President!

Video above also includes a toast by Governor Jim Douglas of Vermont….Here, Here!….Fun times!

First Lady Michelle wore a black georgette tiered ruffle gown by fashion designer Thakoon.

No word of gate crashers at this event…phew!

Also the First Lady recently sat down for a Washington Post interview about her Let’s Move initiative to help combat childhood obesity…

For the interview, Mrs. Obama wore a Moschino sheath dress…

Fabulous all around! Leave your comments below!

Muah & gracias!

Source

President Barack Obama delivered his first State of the Union address to both houses of the United States Congress (Senate and the House of Representatives) at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC.

President Obama talked about the economy including job creation, financial reform and encouraging American reform, (amongst other things)…

Police Officers Mark Todd (L) and Kimberly Munley of Killeen, TX standing with the First Lady

First Lady Mrs. Obama wore a gorgeous wintery plum ensemble by Isaac Mizrahi for the President’s State of the Union address.

Watch full video of the State of the Union address…

What do you think of the U.S President’s first State of the Union address? Sound off & leave your comments below…

Heart ya for it!

Photo: White House & Mrs. O

Happy Martin Luther King Day!

Dr. Martin Luther King inspired the world with his “dream” for a nation where the citizens will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character…& today was a day in his honor! A day of service to mankind!

President Barack Obama hosted a conversation with a small group of African American seniors and their grandchildren on the legacy of the civil rights movement at the White House. First Lady Michelle Obama also attended the gathering.

The First Lady looked fab in a purple tweed sheath dress with an asymmetrical neckline and three-quarter length sleeves as she toured the American Red Cross. She was there to also speak with employees at the Disaster Operations Center of the American Red Cross in Washington, DC.

Earlier in the day President Obama, Mrs. Obama, and their two daughters served lunch at So Others Might Eat in Washington DC to celebrate the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday. The soup kitchen opened in the 1970s and now serves more than 1,000 men, women and children each day. Mrs. O kept her look casual, sporting cropped pants, a blue cardigan and a cap as she served lunch.

Gabrielle Union. Very glamorous look for Gabby!

Washington D.C was happening this past weekend! The 3rd Annual BET Honors were held there over the weekend. The 2010 honorees included legendary songstress Whitney Houston (Entertainment), multi-faceted entertainer Queen Latifah (Media), respected business mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs (Entrepreneur), accomplished educator Dr. Ruth Simmons (Education), and world-renowned neurosurgeon Dr. Keith Black (Public Service).

Queen Latifah. Royalty but not feeling the hair! Loves the queen!

Hosted by actress Gabrielle Union, the evening included performances by Trey Songz, Stevie Wonder, India Arie, Jazmine Sullivan, Mary J. Blige, Pattie Labelle and Jennifer Hudson.

Mya. Cute! Great to see her out!

P Diddy and his mother, Janice Combs (I just don’t know sometimes about Mrs. Combs *sigh*)

Taraji P. Henson. Hollywood fab! Uber!

Well there you have it! So what did you do today to celebrate & honor, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.? Do tell [smile] & drop your comments below…

Love, love, love ya for it!

Photo: Essence

Happy birthday to the U.S uber fab First Lady, Mrs. Obama, who turns 46 today (Sunday, January 17)!

Mrs. O was treated to a few celebrations over the past few days, first with White House staffers on Friday [see picture below]…

On Saturday night, President Obama took his beautiful wife to dinner at Restaurant Nora, one of Washintong DC’s best known special occasion restaurants. Joining them were their Chicago friends and according to Lynn Sweet, the First Couple arrived at Nora’s at 6:38 p.m. and departed at 10:22 p.m.

The Chicago guest list included;

Marian Robinson, the First Lady’s mother
Valerie Jarrett, Chicago pal and Senior White House advisor
Eric and Cheryl Whitaker, Chicago pals
Eric Holder, attorney general and his wife, Sharon Malone
Mary Nesbitt and wife Anita Blanchard, Chicago pals
Susan Sher, Chicago pal and the First Lady’s chief of staff
Elizabeth Alexander, former Chicagoan (University of Chicago), now at Yale, delivered poem at Inauguration.
Cindy Moelis, Chicago pal and director of the White House Fellows program..
Jocelyn Frye, Mrs. Obama Harvard Law School buddy and Director of Policy and Projects in the First Lady’s office

Fun times! Happy Birthday to First Lady Michelle!

Photo: Samantha Appleton [White House Photo]