I have some AMAZING news! My buddy and person I want to be when I grow up, Sophia Angeli Nelson, political pundit and kick-arse writer of Black Woman Redefined will be joining us for our “Election Decompression” event on November 7th!

If you haven’t yet bought Black Woman Redefined, first, I feel sorry for you because you don’t know what you’re missing. Second, don’t fret. We’ll be selling copies of the book, which will be released in paperback by then at the venue.

About Sophia:

Sophia A. Nelson is an accomplished woman on the move. She is a much sought after speaker, media/political commentator, national columnist and first time author who is “redefining” the rules for 21st  Century living and success.

As one of only a handful of African American female national opinion writers and political/cultural pundits, Sophia contributes to The Washington Post, CNN Opinion, TheGrio.com, TheRoot.com, NPR, and is featured regularly on all of the major networks (ABC, CBS, NBC) as well as Cable outlets such as CNN, MSNBC, FOX, and BET.

Sophia speaks on topics ranging from workplace retention and advancement strategies for women of color, to relationships, health & wellness, spirituality, and career transformation. She is a former United States House of Representatives Committee Counsel, and a Defense Industry Lobbyist with the “top 25” nationally ranked law firm of Holland & Knight LLP. She is admitted to practice as an Attorney in New Jersey & Washington, D.C. and before the United States Supreme Court. She began her legal career in 1994 as a State Regulatory Counsel & Business Advisor to New Jersey Governor Christine Todd Whitman (R-NJ).

Sophia earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science (Minor in Africana Studies) from San Diego State University (the largest campus of the California State University system) in 1990. She earned her Juris Doctorate Degree from American University-Washington College of Law (after transferring from Washington & Lee University-Law School in 1992) in 1994.

Sophia is single & resides in Loudoun County Virginia. Her first book Black Woman Redefined examines the inner lives of accomplished black women and will be published in 2011. She is also a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. (Xi Omega Graduate Chapter).

What’s more, Sophia swirls. She’s engaged to a very handsome I-talian.

The deets:

Time: 6PM-9PM
Location: Tonic Foggy Bottom 2036 G Street Northwest, Washington, DC
296-0211
Cost: Free entry, two-drink minimum

Better hurry up and RSVP! If you’re on Facebook, click here to reserve. If you’re not on Facebook, email me at christelyn@beyondblackwhite.com.

And the crowd…all I can say is there is truly no place on the planet like San Francisco–which is why is topped the list in Swirling as some of the most swirl-friendly cities in America. You can truly just BE who you ARE, and LOVE who you LOVE with absolutely no judgement for anyone. San Francisco for black women is more like what I hear some places of Europe or Canada, where the color of someone’s skin as a determinate in a relationship is about as irrelevant as Stacy Dash’s endorsement of Mitt Romney.

We had a great, ecclectic crowd with some cuties…especially Micha, the guys Janice had her eye on…

That’s Micha in the plaid.

Like I said, the comedians were funny!

Janice lends her lips to her new fan!

And let me take a brief moment to thank our sponsor, DateWhoYouWant.com for footing the bills…

But honestly the most fun I had was pretending to be “the tough girl” as a Halfbreed model.The founder, Rudy Tabasa, has a knack with the camera.

Gotta love the bros that give support! Mr. Afro-Cuban bought a copy…

Yours Truly cheesing with HalfBreed Founder and photographer, Rudy Tabasa. Down girls–he’s married with kids!

Thanks, Rudy!

Attention Washington, D.C., Virginia, and Maryland Members of the BB&W Crew! End of the year Blog Party with Sophia Angeli Nelson!

Just found out my idol and friend, Sophia Angeli Nelson, author of Black Woman Redefined is going to be joining us for some post-election decompression and a lively debate about love relationships and political philosophy.  Click here are the details.

Republican, Democrat, liberal and conservative alike are invited to celebrate the ending of a soap-operatic election season. We’re going to have a discussion (in perhaps, a drunken stupor) about how personal politics can play a role in interracial dating, and attack some of the misconceptions and stereotypes some people have about dating a conservative or liberal.