Dreena Diane Naggar's Page

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About Me:

I am a entrepreneur with a big heart to raise money for the African American Comunity in the form of Education.

DREENA (ST JOHN) IS SUPPORTING EDUCATION IN THE BLACK COMMUNITY IN A MOST EFFECTIVE & UNIQUE WAY!
I, Dreena Diane Naggar, am stepping up to be the change I want to see in the World and I need your help by reading this email and passing it forward.
Summary of the Project:
"A Dark (K)Night" is a "Chicken Soup for the Soul" type of book, compiling stories of Black Americans detailing their first encounter with prejudice and how that experience changed the world as they saw it. This book will facilitate understanding and compassion between diverse communities. The authors of this book's stories will serve as catalysts to enlighten the world regarding the ignorance of prejudice. I envision selecting 200 stories for the book.
Goal of the Project:
The proceeds of the book will benefit various organizations, such as Howard University, Links Inc. (a philanthropic organization) and reputable organizations established to help the victims of Hurricane Katrina secure housing.
Background of the Project - Angel Reyes - September 14 2008
I was driving from Irvine, California where I live to visit my friend Theresa in Escondido and on the way, I spoke to one of my clients, a precious and powerful African American woman in Louisiana named Angel Reyes. I had never spoken to this client outside of “business talk” ... but today she and I would go a little deeper.
At first it started off with the weather….as cliché as that sounds, it was because of Hurricane Ike and Angel shared how she was on Hurricane watch and evacuation alert. She assured me with laughter that she had all her designer items as well as some St. John Suits that she purchased from me all packed up and ready to go. I found that funny as I could relate; I would pack all my St. John and my computer and hit the road too.
We then started an interesting conversation about politics and being African American / Black in America. I sell St. John predominantly to the African American / Black Community and I have seen racism against some of my clients firsthand. (I observe ignorant people doing this and try not to react but sometimes I have to speak up.) It is an indescribable feeling to be in such a wicked atmosphere and see someone treated as less then human; it is very demeaning to say the least and frankly it makes me want to cry ... and sometimes I do. In California and New York, I don’t notice a lot of this as we are in a big melting pot but in other states the lines are drawn very clear and the atmosphere is thick with racial division.
Angel began to tell me her stories of racial discrimination while growing up; she had about two or three that spanned from childhood to adulthood (her stories will be featured in my book.) I silently cried and while listening, my heart shriveled up like a prune. My heart hurt so badly as she was sharing, yet my logical mind could not grasp that experience. I could feel the pain of that happening to someone but since I have never been hated for the color of my skin, I could not know or experience the depth of that pain; however, it broke my heart, just hearing that it happens. I was and still am bothered and outraged that people have to endure this treatment. In that moment I got an epiphany that I would collaborate on a book called A DARK (K)NIGHT … A JOURNEY INTO THE AFRICAN AMERICAN SOUL.
My Intention with This Project:
Some of us have thankfully not had to experience this type of racial prejudice and without knowing otherwise, we take for granted not being judged on our skin color. I intend to build a bridge of relatedness from one community to another, and facilitate understanding of someone else’s World and their point of view and stimulate compassion by simulating walking in another's shoes. When one has understanding, one can have compassion. My greatest intention for this Project is LOVE ... plain and simple.
My Goals with this Project:
In creating a book of these heart-wrenching and yet inspiring stories the following will happen:
(1) It will allow people the freedom to see their part in racial discrimination and to rise up and so that ultimately this will not be accepted or tolerated in our society.
(2) It will have people take a look at any 'secret' prejudice they may harbor .. and give them an opportunity to shift it, or to 'repent': this literally means “to change” in Greek.
(3) The book will also raise money for the following organizations but is not limited to these: Scholarships for Howard University and Links Inc., a non-profit philanthropic organization of high-powered African American women. Links, Inc. is a group of powerful, kind and influential women who have given so much love, kindness and support to me and my business.
(4) It will support the Katrina victims - they are loved and not forgotten. Angel Reyes lives in Katrina's path and I love her truly for being the catalyst used to inspire me with this book idea.
(5) Close to my heart but equally important as all mentioned above is that I intend to send my new little buddies, Jamell, Damell, and Javarie to Private School. I met them at a church I visited in Inglewood, California and they are being raised by a single mom who was just accepted in section 8 housing in Downey, CA, and she can use all the help she can get. Wisdom is POWER, and LOVE is an awesome driving force.
In Conclusion:
Most Importantly, I want to live in the same World I lived in when I was in pre-school, where I played with everyone. I did not know anyone as Black, Mexican, White, Jehovah’s Witness, Muslim, Christian, rich, poor, ugly or beautiful …. I just knew I loved each one of those kids and could not wait to play in the sandbox with them and swing on the swings. We laughed together, sang songs together while holding hands, I celebrated my birthday with them and all was well ... so what happened to us from age 5 and up? When did we lose “The Sand Box Experience”?
Support for the Project:
I am grateful the African American Community has given me such tremendous love and support and has opened its arms wide to me. I feel my Project is the very least that I can offer… the highest being my love. Over the last 8 years of selling St John Knits all over the United States I have had the privilege of meeting some of the most High Powered influential African American Women (many are celebrities, politicians, powerful preachers and women in the media.) Most are great clients that turned into friends and all are very supportive of this Project and the women I know who are not yet is due simply to the fact that I have not had the chance to call or email and share this with them yet!
How you can help:
1. I need prayer, feedback, and positive energy toward me and this Project.
2. I invite any advice you can give on this Project
3. Please forward this email to anyone you know that would like to submit their stories (African American women and men)
4. I need 5 Board Members to read and review stories. I have several stories already.
5. I need encouragement through calls and/or emails ... and tracking of my progress.
6. I bought the domain, www.adarkknight.net and need help donated to build that site.
7. I need an artist to donate artwork for my book cover.
8. I’m open to any other help or anything else you think I should have added to this list ... please let me know.
9. Any contacts, i.e., other people who may be interested or could help me achieve my goals with this Project
10. Feel free to forward this to anyone you believe should see it!


THANK YOU in advance for your help, your input, and your positive thoughts!

My Best Regards,
Dreena Diane Naggar
Founder of St. John Knits Wholesale
www.stjohnwholesale.com
sales@stjohnwholesale.com
“Be the change you want to see in the world" - Mahatma Gandhi

Website:

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