Stamford, CT – Kitt Shapiro, daughter of the legendary entertainer Eartha Kitt, and Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN) "Love in the City" star and URAWARRIOR founder Bershan Shaw, are among many high profile participants in Empowering through Beauty Expo's (ETB Expo) upcoming 2014 expo: "A Celebration of Beauty." This first of its' kind in Fairfield County, this star studded benefit event will be held July 26, 2014, from 5 –10 pm at The Stamford Innovation Center, 175 Atlantic Street, Stamford. It will feature the EmpowerHER awards ceremony, a select panel of speakers, fashion show and beauty bar for a fun-filled mix of glitz, glam and education.
The ETB Expo and EmpowerHER awards are the brainchild of Trumbull resident and ETB Expo CEO, Tanisha Akinloye. Akinloye founded Empowering through Beauty (ETBINC), Inc., in 2010 as a non-profit devoted solely to helping serve the community's disadvantaged women and girls. For over four years the Bridgeport, CT organization has provided beauty and health services, job training and education at women's' shelters and ongoing events throughout the state.
"Our EmpowerHER Awards are given out in celebration of the intelligence, strength, courage and determination of women who are creating social change, making a difference and inspiring others to do the same," says Akinloye.
The list of award recipients reads like a who's who of local and national stars. Alongside the high profile Kitt Shapiro, President of Eartha Kitt Productions and Simply Eartha, will be Kathy McShane: Connecticut Director of the nationally renowned organization Ladies Who Launch, Carolyn Vermont: VP at the historic National Black MBA Association, Trevor Crow: Best Selling Author, Talk Show Host and
Therapist, Shantana Hazel: Founder of the Sister-Girl Foundation, Inc, and Patricia West: mother of Logan West who was Miss Teen USA and Miss Teen Connecticut.
"With my designs for the Simply Eartha™ line of 'accessories that SAY something', I now build on the amazing legacy my mother left me, inspiring and empowering her fans, old and new," says Kitt Shapiro. "Receiving the EmpowerHER Legacy of Love award is a fitting tribute to the incredible mother daughter bond we shared."
"I'm honored to participate in the Empowering Through Beauty Expo," says Bershan Shaw. "It is so important for women to understand being beautiful starts from the inside. We must uplift and encourage each other and not tear each other down, that is empowering and that is beautiful."
Akinloye notes: "Guests will not only experience a high dosage of positive reinforcement from our fabulous panel, but have the chance to receive glam makeovers from top industry professionals. It's going to be a dynamic networking mix and mingle for elite taste makers, movers and shakers!"
ETB Expo's first benefit expo took place in January 2014 at Trumbull's Marriott hotel. That event attracted celebrity headliners such as Grammy nominated R&B artist Jasmine Sullivan, as well as over 250 attendees from Philadelphia, Maryland, New York and Connecticut. A portion of the proceeds from the upcoming July event will go to support the mission of ETBINC, a 501c3 non-profit organization. A further portion of the evening's proceeds goes to support The American Diabetes Association, an organization near and dear to Akinloye and her family.
"EmpowerHER is a movement that encourages women to come together to empower each other through confidence, self-worth, health, beauty and friendship," says Tanisha. "It's important for me to reveal the wholeness of beauty and what it really should look and feel like."
For press opportunities email press@etbexpo.com Those interested in the many vending and sponsorship opportunities available at this event, call 203.767.9264 or email tanishaakinloye@gmail.com