This makes my heart smile, because I don't see nearly enough of this. On Monday, April 30th, Kimora Lee Simmons will be honored by East West Players, the nation's premier Asian American theatre, during its 46th annual Visionary Awards Dinner & Silent Auction. The theme of the event is "Languages of Love" and it will pay homage to Asian Americans who have made a valuable impact on the Asian Pacific American community through their artistic excellence and support of the Asian Pacific American performing arts.
I think this is fantastic! Do you have any idea just how much Kimora has done in her brief 36 years of life? This is the short description on EWP's website:
Kimora Lee Simmons has been described as a “savvy businesswoman, author, philanthropist, producer, top model, television personality, Tony Award winner and — according to Forbes Magazine — is one of the top ‘hardest working mothers in Hollywood.’” (KLS.com) As a fashion and entertainment leader of Korean, Japanese and African American ancestry, she has raised the visibility of Asian Pacific Americans as trendsetters on a global scaleI think you might need to read it again and marinate in that prestige...that effort...that tenacity...that hustle. I only just found out about the Tony Award not very long ago myself and I nearly died. I mean, here is a woman who has made a lasting impact in so many different industries it's like she's some type of super human. She only recently launched a new skincare line, Shinto Clinical, and just months before was named President/Creative Director of online shoe subscription service, Just Fabulous. In case you just hatched or just crawled out from under a rock, there aren't many tuned in to the world of fashion and pop/urban culture who don't know she made nearly unbelievable strides as head of the Baby Phat and Phat Fashions brands and the list just goes on and on and on! She is a beast!
But, here's the thing. As I mentioned earlier in this post, despite everything I just briefly touched upon, I don't see Kimora getting nearly enough recognition for all that's she's done as a businesswoman, mother, wife and icon, especially from the African American community. What's the deal? Her dad is African-American and we aren't in any position to be giving anybody the stiff arm, for whatever reason, because there aren't that many of us doing it like she's doing it. Face the facts. Everyday on Twitter, I see this Black woman and that one opining about how great so many other Black women are -- deserved praise without a doubt, but when it comes to Kimora, many of them quickly turn a deaf ear and it's really disappointing. I think that as a people, we have to be bigger than this. We only have each other and we all deserve due recognition and respect for our various contributions as a part of this community. And, I'm giving you the "side eye" 2012 NAACP Image Awards. She should have been there and she should have been recognized considering all of the moves she's made this past year.
Enough of my gripes. Check out the full details about the EWP award here and by all means, head over to her Twitter or her Facebook and give Kimora a shout of congratulations for the recognition. She deserves it if anybody does. --Sugar
