WMM~Jordin Sparks America's newest idol!

Another woman making moves! Jordin Sparks the youngest American Idol winner,at 17, beat out beat boxer Blake Lewis. It's reported that Jordin received a majority of the 74 million votes to win the America Idol title.

Jordin's powerful voice wowed the audience and judges early on. She was destined to be a finalist. While Paula stayed neutral, Randy rooted for Jordin until the end. Jordin finally received support from Simon Cowell when his favorite, Melinda Doolittle was voted out.

Jordin who begin singing at the age of two said on her 16th birthday she wasn't excited because of the possibility of receiving a car, but knowing that she could now audition for American Idol. Jordin had a dedicated fan base early on. Her hometown of Glendale, Arizona filled the streets a week before the American Idol finale aired.

While Jordin Sparks is just beginning her career she has already shown that she is a woman who can makes moves! Make sure to watch out for Jordin as see continues as a member of the elite club Women Making Moves.

WMM~Yolanda King

Women Making Moves normally showcases women in the moment making moves. But now is an appropriate time to feature a woman who has made tremendous moves in the wake of her death. Yolanda King, daughter of slain civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr. recently passed.

Ms. King's passing leads one to reminisce on her childhood and the things she experienced as a King child. Born in the early 50's in Montgomery, Alabama, she was brought up in the midst of the Civil Rights Movement. It's noted that Yolanda was just an infant when their home was bombed. I'm sure she was as involved in the Civil Rights Movement as much as her parents could permit without sacrificing her safety. From marches to boycotts and speeches igniting fire in the souls of African Americans, I'm positive Yolanda was there for it all.

Women Making Moves salutes Yolanda King on her moves she made during her lifetime!

WMM~Teedra Moses, KeKe Wyatt & Mya

In recent weeks I've attended showcases for artists Teedra Moses, KeKe Wyatt and Mya. These women are definitely Making Moves! Each artist has their own unique style, but what these artists have in common is their show stopping voices!

Mya showed pure energy during her performance as Essence Magazine and Dodge presented The Dodge Avenger Listening Lounge at the Roseland Ballroom. I forgot Mya studied dance until I saw her stage performance. Her new album is in stores now. Make sure to check it out to enjoy Mya's new work while reminiscing on her classics.

TVT Records held a showcase for artists Teedra Moses and KeKe Wyatt. TVT Records, www.tvtrecords.com, promotes itself as America's largest independent record label. Teedra and KeKe performed to a packed house that included loyal fans singing along to their music. KeKe Wyatt has been away from the music scene for a while, but she is back and in full effect. Her vocals are amazing and just as crystal clear as her breakthrough performance, "My First Love", with Avant. With a longer hairdo and a noticeable weight loss, KeKe looks fabulous and completely different from when she first appeared on the music scene. I wasn't very familiar with Teedra Moses before the showcase, but after hearing her performance and viewing her web page at teedramoses.com I could become a fast fan.

I'm looking forward to seeing these ladies continuing to Make Moves and taking us into the summer with new hits!

WMM~The Black Girl's Guide

College application packets have been submitted and after months of playing the waiting game, high school seniors have received their acceptance letters. Now is the time to decide what institution of higher learning to attend. This should be an easy task, right? That’s what some seniors assume especially those who may be first and second generation college students. For those who have completed as well as those currently completely the college process, the answer is no. Fortunately, the task of making it through the college process has just gotten easier for a portion of incoming Freshman thanks to author Sheryl Walker.

The Black Girl’s Guide to College Success-What No Really Tells You About College That You Must Know is the first of a series of Black Girls Guide with this edition focusing on providing Black girls with the tools to successfully complete college. Contents of the book include choosing the right major to explaining how maintaining a high GPA during Freshman year can ensure success throughout your college career. While The Black Girl’s Guide to College Success covers a range of serious topics, Sheryl encourages young women to enjoy this time in their lives.

Sheryl who received her degree from the University of Maryland in College Park says this book covers topics that most students have learned the answers to via the trial and error method. Sheryl knows firsthand about successful college careers. While in college Sheryl completed four internships and received honors from the Office of Multi-Ethnic Student Education, The National Association of Black Accountants and was the receipt of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Essay Scholarship.

To read an excerpt from the book or to obtain information regarding Sheryl’s upcoming appearances, visit theblackgirlsguide.com. Books can be purchased through Barnes and Nobles: www.bn.com, Books A Million: www.booksamillion.com, www.authorhouse.com, and www.shop-com.co.uk/op.

WMM~La Smalls Concierge

Enticed by the theme “Stop the Hate and Get the Cake” guests at the recent Million Dollar Lady Luncheon hosted by Tionna T. Smalls and La Smalls Concierge received the opportunity to fellowship and network among one another. The theme was conceived because of the lack of women supporting one another in the business arena. Tionna envisioned connecting with other business women on a level that would allow them to share information verses holding valuable information hostage from one another. Luncheon attendees included Claudine Gumbel of ThinkPR/Caravan 91, Author and Motivational Speaker Georgia Woodbine, Smith & Barney’s Financial Advisor Danielle Birrer and more. The luncheon which made its debut in New York will host events in other cities as well in the near future.

Born in the borough of Brooklyn in East New York, Tionna accredits her two parent household and her three sisters for her entrepreneurial spirit. In addition to Tionna’s Million Dollar Lady Luncheons, she is also owner of an Event Planning and Management company, La Smalls Concierge, as well as author of the upcoming book, “Girl, Get Your Mind Right” and a motivational speaker to inter-city youth and young women. As you can see Tionna T. Smalls leads a busy and fulfilled life, not only working to achieve her goals but to lift along the way as she climbs.

“Stop the Hate and Get the Cake!” Learn more about the Million Dollar Lady Luncheons and visit Tionna at myspace.com/mssmalls or view her blog at talkdatish.blogspot.com.