fashiona's musings: Social Sunday: A Night of Glamour by Rashan Ali's Sporty Girls

Tuesday, December 7

Social Sunday: A Night of Glamour by Rashan Ali's Sporty Girls

Thursday night Fashiona went to Atlanta's Blendz Hair Salon for A Night of Glamour to support her fellow FAMUan Rashan Ali and her Sporty Girls foundation. The radio personality started Sporty Girls in 2006 to help young girls increase their performance in "non-traditional" sports with the ultimate goal of receiving a college scholarship. The funds from Thursday night's event will help fund a sleep away camp in the summer.

Some of the elite fashion and beauty consultants who attended in support of Rashan Ali and Sporty Girls included: fashion designer Mychael Knight, lifestyle specialist Dwight Eubanks, celebrity wadrobe stylist Kim Maxwell, celebrity hair stylists Val Hamilton, Paula Britt and Nataki Minix, manicurist Terrance Terry, make-up artists Keka Heron and Tiffany Walker, Sleeve accessories by Lena Danielle, True You Cosmetics, celebrity personal trainer ShaNay Norvell and several others. Other special guests included Ebony Steele of the Rickey Smiley Morning Show, Wanda Smith of the Frank and Wanda Morning Show on V-103 FM and author Tracy Nicole Prather.

Between the lovely Rashan posing for pictures with fellow radio personalities Elle Duncan, Wanda from The Frank and Wanda Show, designer Mycheal Knight, Fashiona was able to grab her for a interview.

All photos by Jae Walker III

Rashan Ali

Alicia "aka" Fashiona: So when did you graduate from FAMU?

Rashan: In 1997. I went to school on a 4 year swimming scholarship.

Alicia "aka" Fashiona: Very nice! So tell me about Sporty Girls and what prompted you to start the organization.

Rashan: I have been swimming competitively since I was 5 and still love the sport. When I was going to college I saw that minority girls were missing out on athletic scholarships for sports other than basketball, volleyball and track. In 2006, I started Sporty Girls, for girls from all walks of life who really enjoy sports and have to the drive to pursue an athletic scholarship.

Alicia "aka" Fashiona: Besides swimming what sports do you promote at Sporty Girls?

Rashan: Soccer, golf and tennis. Every summer we have a free 1 week long sleep away camp (Camp Elite) where girls from 10 to 16 are given a glimpse into the life of a college athlete. They live in a dorm setting, many for the first time. Their days are divided into blocks of time where they study, practice for their various sports, attend class and of course have free time. Proceeds from tonight's event help raise funds for Camp Elite.

Alicia "aka" Fashiona: A worthy cause indeed. I know that the ultimate goal is to obtain an athletic scholarship but what other life lessons do you focus on.

Rashan: We really try to teach life skills. Sporty Girls is open to girls from all levels of the socioeconomic ladder. Typically these girls run in different circles but they get along surprisingly well and learn from each other. Their love of sports is a common bond.

Alicia "aka" Fashiona: I love it. It is so good to see so many stylish people out to help raise awareness and funds for Sporty Girls. Thanks for chatting with me.