Upward African Woman Holds Anniversary Benefit in North Hollywood, California

North Hollywood, CA, May 24, 2015 --(PR.com)-- Upward African Woman celebrated their first full year anniversary with a sold out crowd in North Hollywood, California. The benefit gave financial support as well, providing an opportunity to bring awareness to the UAW Foundation.

The gala was MC’d by Steve Galindo (celebrity stylist). Guest speakers included Megan Thomas, actress/entertainment news anchor; Shondrella Avery, producer/actress/philanthropist; and Aniesia Williams, Public Relations. Attendees included Joyce Giraud, a popular actress, Miss Puerto Rico, and one of the celebrities of the popular reality television show, Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. Also attending and lending their support were Michael Herrera, designer; Queen of the Universe, Ariel King; recording artists Corey Clark and Sixx Carter, Sonny Kennelly, musician; Models Mesi Usiabe and Mimi Okojie; and a host of others.

Entertainment was provided by the awesome multi-ethnic hip hop group Zupanova; Singer Omatu who sang in Nigerian and English.

Title Sponsors for the event were Nehita Jewelry, Doctor’s Choice Hospice, Inc., Alphabound (LetterJam! Alphabound, the company responsible for the creation of the iconic LetterJam! Word Game, are on board to support Upward African Woman (UAW) by donating the educational game to their students.), Annex Pharmacy, Above Zombies, Omatu, and De La Paz. Local businesses also contributed, including IHOP, King restaurant, and TGIF.

Upward African Woman was founded by jewelry designer and philanthropist Monalisa Okojie. As a businesswoman traveling back and forth to Africa, she was fully aware of the extreme contrasts of poverty and wealth in that part of the world. “Access to education is extremely rare for many women in Africa,” said Monalisa, further commenting, “it is all too common for women to be excluded from education."

Monalisa’s colleagues recognized the power of their voice and connections and began to work tirelessly to develop a program to get women off the streets and into the classroom. “Many of my colleagues have benefited from philanthropy at some point in their lives, whether it is through scholarships and grants to attend college, community organizations that provided free extracurricular programs, philanthropy has played an important role in providing opportunities to succeed. We have a responsibility to extend that same opportunity to others."

UAW was founded to provide a stable learning environment for women who, otherwise, might not have access to schooling or any other type of learning environment. The organization is ecstatic about Alphabound’s participation in their educational program. “We are honored to receive such a wonderful and ongoing gift from Alphabound. The LetterJam! game will provide many hours of an enriching and enjoyable time for our students.”