The Ultimate Creative: Meet Brandon Allen

NAME: Brandon Christopher Allen
AGE: 29
TALENTS: Lyricist, Poet, Actor
LOCATION: Inland Empire

What made you want to start your own clothing line (Poetically Adorned)?

I literally stopped doing poetry. I retired for more than six months. I fasted before God and committed all my talents, dreams and desires to him, and asked him to reignite my life in purpose. I went to a conference in Chicago and received a very vivid prophetic word about my purpose and about businesses opening up for me and creative forums to be able to get my voice out and it would leave a legacy for my daughter. I immediately went to writing and praying and God gave me a vision for a clothing line that makes impact by taking what's inside of me and pour it out on those in need. 

How did you get into spoken word?

I literally have been writing poetry since second grade and I won my first competition. Poetry saved my life. When I was suicidal and attempted to take my life twice in 7th grade, I vented my pain through writing. What once was a dark outlet turned into a place for freedom. My first real poem was in 8th grade and it was filled with emotion, pain, tears, blood and questions...literally! It transformed me into delivering messages of hope, refuge and escape. 

Where do you get your fashion inspiration from?

I am inspired by culture. I see people everyday getting sucked into the everyday cultural norms of society and not exploring outward. So I want to jump in that river with a creative advantage. Knowing I have a source or idea portal that transcends time and thought. I'm more inspired by old school hip hop icons like Karl Kani and old Kanye. I like to describe it as modern fashion meets urban creativity.

Where do you see Poetically Adorned in five years and when can we anticipate the relaunch?

I see it in multiple stores as well as having its own new style store that doesn’t fit in your everyday box. I anticipate relaunching in mid-September looking into a fall release. 

You also started your own entertainment company with Co-CEO John Billinger, The Corner Ent. Why did you decide to begin this type of company?

I always desired to give an avenue and space for the creative to let loose and be empowered to soar. I believe in enlightening the hearts of the people and why not create a stage for that? To give people truth through the eyes of their peers and artists alike. 

When's The Corner's next big event?

We have a couple on the horizon, but we have a new type of experience coming. We are doing an all white party that isn’t your everyday shin-dig. It's an experience that will take people through culture while grooving and tasting their hearts away. 

How has your faith played a role in creating your own apparel brand and entertainment company?

MY FAITH IS THE FOUNDATION! IT IS EVERYTHING! WITHOUT IT, NONE OF THIS WOULD EXIST OR BE POSSIBLE OR BE A REALITY!

Click on the image and visit Brandon's website. Follow his journey on social media.
@iamelisha3

Welcome to the Biracial Experience - Part I

What does adversity mean? Difficulty, hardship, misfortune, etc. But what does this mean for someone who is biracial? 

From the moment I was born, I knew I was different. Being born in NYC, everyone looked like me, sounded like me. I was a reflection of my community; however, moving to California changed my perspective of self and how I view my community. 

No one looked like me, curious stares peering into my soul trying to figure out my mixture compilation. My mother would tell me “they’re staring at you because you’re beautiful” to comfort my securities.

But no one knew that this insecurity would turn into adversity that I would have to fight everyday. You see, no one told my mother and father that I would have to face identification crisis.

My white classmates assumed I was black, and my black classmates knew I was mixed, but with what they would ask. Growing up I got the same old tired questions, “what are you?” and as I got older, that question became an icebreaker or a question men would use to hit on me. And by default because I’m Puerto Rican, men found me attractive. Yet, they were confused because I didn’t look like a typical Puerto Rican. (Meaning, I didn’t look like J. Lo or Rihanna).

And to add another layer to this already confusing identity crisis, add in the typical missing father. I didn’t meet my father until my freshman year of high school. And on top of that, I went through life walking the streets wondering what my father looked like, did I look like him, did he look for me, etc.

At the end of the day, growing up in a single parent home is already difficult, especially when you’re going through an identity crisis. However, as I grow older, I get closer to figuring out whom I am, what I like and what I like to do. 

Adversity can be a positive as it forces you to become a stronger, independent individual. And until I am Super Woman, I will continue to fight the uphill battle of adversity everyday.

93 Years of Finer Womanhood

Sacramento, Calif. - January 17, 2013 - On January 16, 1920, five collegiate women on the campus of Howard University created the most amazing Greek organization in the world, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated. A little biased you say? Indeed I am!

These five pearls were Arizona Cleavor Stemons, Myrtle Tyler Faithful, Viola Tyler Goings, Fannie Pettie Watts and Pearl Anna Neal.

Now deceased, these five ladies have paved the way for young women like myself to make a difference in the community and have an impact on the youth as well as have a serious impact on my life.

My chapter, Omega Lambda Zeta, co-hosted my very first Founder's Day dinner with our brother Fraternity, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. For weeks we've been planning; what kind of decorations to get, what the cake will look like, what venue will it be held, etc. Even though it was stressful at times, it was all worth it in the end.

All day I looked forward to the night's activities. I arrived at Blue Prynt located in Downtown Sacramento to decorate. As I began decorating, more Sorors and Frat showed up to help and have a good time. I met Frat from Davis, Calif. and those who have came into the organizations before me. I also met two State officers of Zeta.

As we began to hear from the eldest and youngest Soror and Brother, state officials and more, I couldn't help but look around the room and see the camaraderie. All these fellow brothers and sisters are constitutionally bound by our Founders. Not only that but we are truly a Blue and White Family.

Not to disrespect any of the other Divine 9 Greeks, but I think our Founder's knew the importance of family and how important a brother and sister relationship is. We're much more than brothers and sisters. Our Founders knew how important a relationship between a man and a woman is; how love can conquer all, and how the equal balance of having a female perspective and a male perspective is important in ones life.

Attending my very first Founder's Day shined a new light into my Zeta life. I hope to continue to pass this light onto other Sorors and Frat and others in the community who may not know about us and our cause.

Happy 93rd Anniversary Sorors and Happy 99th Anniversary Frat! #BlueandWhiteUntilTheDayIDie

Meet the Members of MADE...

Sacramento, CA - November 13, 2012 - Now I know you read our Facebook posts and follow us on Twitter, WordPress and all the other social platforms, but now it's time to meet the people behind the posts.



Let's start with the most honorable creator of MADE Apparel, Alexzandria Chill! Miss Chill was born on April 7, 1988. She attended the University of North Texas in Denton, Texas with a degree in Marketing and a minor in Fashion Merchandising.  Along with all the demands of homework, she had the determination to become a finer woman of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. She enjoys writing poetry, mixtape mining, and long walks on the beach. Fellas any takers? Just kidding! Her favorite quote is 2 Timothy 4:12 - "Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the belivers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity." Amen! She jams out to Frankie Beverly and Maze and Nas and she fell in love with the lyrics to "Before I Let You Go".




Second we have the big Ape, Ryan Sims! He is a graduate of Bowling Green State University in Bowling Green, Ohio with a degree in Film Production and is a glorious man of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated. He enjoys DJ-ing Yo-yoing and solving the Rubik's cube. He was born as a Scorpio on November 17, 1990. His favorite color is blue and loves the words of Roman Polanski, "Cinema should make you forget you are sitting in a theater." His favorite rapper is Ludacris and he rocks out to Rage Against The Machine.







Last but not least, is Tiffany Garcia, another dovely lady of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated! She enjoys reading celebrity gossip, singing out loud, and being a dork. She graduated from CSU Sacramento in December 2010 with a Bachelors degree in Communications with a concentration in Public Relations. She dreams to be a celebrity publicist and hang with the big boys. Her favorite color is green and enjoys the soulful voice of Melanie Fiona and gets down to old school R&B. She lives by the quote from the lovely Audrey Hepburn, "I love people who make me laugh. I honestly think it's the thing I like most, to laugh. It cures a multitude of ills. It's probably the most important thing in a person." 

So y'all don't be a stranger to these three! 

Be Owt Made Apparel

Sacramento, Calif. - October 9, 2012 - In college, it's hard to miss all of the Sorority or Fraternity organizations. The people in those organizations are constantly buzzing around campus, getting involved in the computer and trying to find the right recruits for their organization. Now, everyone thinks their organization is the best around, but respect is given to one another.

Many people have heard of the National organizations such as: Alpha Delta Pi, Alpha Phi, the Pikes and many more. But if you were in any African American or Multi-cultural clubs on campus you would definitely know about the National Pan Helenic Counsel. This counsel consists of nine divine African American sororities and fraternities: Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., and last but not least Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc.

As a greek, myself, want to always represent my organization to the fullest and be OWT at community service events, college campus events and create an awareness of my organization. Being in the greek world, I have noticed that there aren't as much "nalia" (paraphernalia) for some organizations as there are for others.

Creator of MADE Apparel, Miss Alexzandria Chill, member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., had a brilliant idea to bring a funky, fresh and hip look to apparel for these NPHC organizations, as well as for the organizations Sigma Lambda Gamma and Sigma Lambda Beta.

"I noticed there weren't many cute t-shirts for my organization, Zeta Phi Beta, Sorority, Inc. so I decided to create my own," said Chill.

As other Greeks noticed the shirts, the buzz began and everyone wanted more!

Chill wants her t-shirt line to be more than just t-shirts. She wants it to be a movement in the community and in the Greek world. She said, "I want everything I do to have a purpose and an affect on my community."

The brands new "MADE Apparel" comes from a term in the Greek world. "I came up with the name MADE apparel because "MADE" is a term we use in the Greek world about those who have put in work for their organizations," said Chill.

If you put in work for your organization and you want to show your pride as a member of your organization, then you definitely need to get one of these shirts!

-"Real Recognizes Real" slogan for MADE Apparel

Give Back To Woman In Need

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Having lived in Sacramento for about 4 years now, I've noticed a lot of homeless. Around the area I live, I've even given nicknames to the regulars I see. First there's Beav. She's an elderly African American woman. You might find her in front of Subway on Arden and Bell or on the lawn of Walgreens on Howe and Arden.

The next homeless lady is an elderly White woman. She sits on the corner of Howe and Arden in a walker holding a sign that states she is homeless and hungry.

Usually, a person will walk past these two woman and not bother to offer them money or food. The stereotype for all homeless people, is that they will use your money to buy drugs or booze. In the case of these two ladies, I don't believe that's the case.

But does anyone think of where they sleep, or how they clothe and bathe themselves? What about the necessities that every woman needs, like bras?

Soma Intimates, a boutique, located in the Arden Fair mall as well as in The Fountains shopping center in Roseville, is giving back to the local community. Through their annual bra donation event, women in need can receive bras in good working condition.

I work at the Arden Fair location. Last year we collected about 300 bras. We're asking for gently used bras, however if the bra has damage, we will send it to a bra recycler and they will repair it.

I know with all the media coverage, we can surpass last years numbers! Ladies, we all know if we look in our dresser, we will find at least 2 bras that have collected dust and that no longer do their job.

All I'm asking, is for you to give back to the community you live in. We can all reach out a hand and know that these items will be going somewhere and put to good use. Beav and the other elderly homeless woman are counting on us.

The bra donation event ends on February 26.

So as woman, let's support each other just like a good bra should do.

For more information please go to www.soma.com, or go to their Facebook page, www.facebook.com/somaintimates.

*Note: These opinions are of my own, and not of Soma Intimates.

The Worse Day of the Year...Or Is It?

SACRAMENTO, Calif.- Hearts, cupids, and red/pink surround you and swallow you up whole. But these are the symbols most people want to enjoy on the day I'm foreshadowing. Valentine's Day! It is around the corner. It's supposed to be the day for lovers to come together and spend quality time and express how much they love each other, shower each other with gifts and more! However, this is not the case for many.


For those in the world who are single, this day can be the worst day in the entire year. It's a reminder that they are alone and have no one to share this special day with.


But I like to stay optimistic. Don't be like Jessica Biel, in the movie "Valentine's Day" beating up a heart pinata, taking out all your frustration and aggression out. To all the single ladies and men here's an option for you:, make it a friends night out.


This is not the day to be self loathing and reminiscing of your failed relationships. Just remember, as of Oct 11, 2011 there were 6,970,442,289 people in the world, and as you're reading this, the number just quadrupled. 


Not to sound corny, but there are plenty of people in the sea, and you are a fish that is bound to find a student in school swimming by.


Personally, I don't have any plans for this day, and I am single. However, I have friends and family who love and support me, and those close to me, will be my Valentine. (Possibly a shopping spree at Westfield's Galleria Mall will make the day 10x better.)


So don't give up hope. And if worse comes to worse, there is always eharmony.com. :)