‘Come See About Me’ with Mr. Divabetic

Come See About Me with Max ‘Mr. Divabetic’ Szadek

Yesterday after presenting one of the most fabulous diabetes outreach events ever! (“Love On A Two Way Street’ at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia, PA) I went to see the ‘Come See About Me: The Mary Wilson Supremes Collection’ exhibit at the African American Museum.

I was dying to check out this “DIV” exhibit since it inspired me to incorporate the music of the Supremes as well as the Temptations during my presentation. I wanted to take a light-hearted approach to illustrating how differently men and women view ‘sex’ and ‘love.’  For example, the Supremes sang songs like ‘You Can’t Hurry Love’ while the Temptations chose to harmonize on tunes like ‘Ain’t Too Proud to Beg.’ It’s pretty funny when you think about it.

Divabetic

The brainchild of Wilson, Come See About Me features a collection of over 30 of the group’s stunning gowns, rarely seen video footage, gold records and album covers, historic photographs, and so much more.

I must admit the gowns were diva-licious!!

“We went overboard in the glamour department,” laughed Mary Wilson. “We embodied all the best of dressing up. We dressed up like royalty.” The gowns, which are the highlight of the exhibit, were key to The Supremes’ iconic image, synonymous with glamour, success, and sophistication. It was a style that called out to young fashionistas and aspiring designers, flaunting decoration without gaudiness.

“The exhibit brings to mind three little black girls who dared to dream,” stated Mary Wilson glowing with pride. The exhibit features the 30-pound gowns they wore the night they performed for the Royal Family, now called the “Queen Mother” gowns. Soft pink, with beads circling the high neckline to the shoulders, and jewels woven into the silhouetted frame from top to bottom, no photo can do them justice. To say the exhibit is about a girl group is a gross oversimplification. The Supremes have been woven into the history of 1960’s culture — with gilt thread and rhinestones.

In addition to the fabulous fashions, Come See About Me chronicles Wilson’s own story of self-actualization and determination – two universal themes that resonate with audiences from any generation, right?

LISTEN NOW: Diabetes Roundttable Podcast - “LIVE from the RED CARPET SPECIAL” featuring: Ginger.io spokesperson, Peter Smith, diabetes advocate, author and coach, Riva Greenberg, Divabetic Image & Style Advisor, Catherine Schuller, Go2Bra creator, Connie Elder, Pumpwear Inc. & Girly Girl Studio co- owner, Julie De Fruscio, poet Lorraine Brooks, Patricia Addie Gentle RN, CDE, Constance Brown-Riggs MSEd, RD, CDE, Neva White DNP, CRNP, CDE, makeup and skin guru, Sue Perez, celebrity photographer, Winston Kerr, Mama Rose Marie and Marilyn from Pasadena, CA who is living with type 1 diabetes.

SHOW LINK:  http://www.blogtalkradio.com/divatalkradio1/2013/02/12/diabetes-roundtable-inspired-by-sally-field

Classic Diabetes Myth Busters 1.0:

Let’s Talk About Sex!  Here’s a sneak peak of  Divabetic’s upcoming ‘Love On A Two Way Street’ free outreach program focused on ‘Sexual Health & Diabetes’ and presented at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital on Sat., Feb, 9, 2013

Basics In Diabetes Pattern Management – Divabetic

Experience Mr. Divabetic’s wellness with a wow programming in Tucson, AZ, Santa Clara, CA, Philadelphia, PA, Savannah, GA and Bethesda, MD in 2013. Get more details at www.divabetic.org

Diana Ross & Julio Iglesias – All Of You

“All of You” is a 1984 duet between Julio Iglesias and Diana Ross released as a single from both Iglesias’s album 1100 Bel Air Place and Ross’s album, Swept Away, for which Ross was then recording.

Diva TalkRadio: Ain’t No Mountain High Enough

GLAM MORE, FEAR LESS!  This is Mr. Divabetic, the host of Diva TalkRadio a free monthly diabetes podcast, and I’d like to share with you a little about my upcoming December Diva TalkRadio Spotlight guest, Sebastien Sasseville. He’s the first Canadian living with type 1 diabetes to climb Mount Everest. Now, he’s competing in Iron Man competitions around the world. I  found his story inspiring and I think you will too.

Tune in to Diva TalkRadio on Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2011, 6 – 6:30 PM, EST to find out for yourself  that there ain’t no mountain high enough to keep Divabetic from inspiring you! Callers welcome: (347) 215-8551. Join Mr. Divabetic’s quest to glamorize good health go to: divabetic.org 

Shirley & Company’s “Shame, Shame, Shame”: Diabetes Myth #8

In celebration of National Diabetes Awareness Month, Divabetic’s kicking to the curb all the common myths associated with diabetes. Of course, were going to do it with style! Shirley and Company’s 1975 disco hit,”Shame, Shame, Shame” helps us dispel DIABETES MYTH #8: It’s possible to have “just a touch” or “a little” diabetes.

FACT:  Good grief, we get this question from an attendee at every Divabetic outreach event we present. It’s really a shame people don’t believe they need to take their diabetes seriously right from the start. Here’s the truth – you either have type 2 diabetes or you don’t—period. And if you have the disease, you need to pay attention to it. Even if diet and exercise changes keep the disease in check and you don’t need oral medications or insulin injections, the condition still demands that you follow a self-management treatment plan that includes glucose monitoring and making careful lifestyle choices.

This is why Divabetic recommends a ‘team approach’ to manage diabetes.  Many people feel diabetes is overwhelming.  Listen to your favorite famous diva whether it’s Halle Berry, Patti LaBelle, Mariah Carey, Beyonce, Kim Kardashian or Diana Ross and show diabetes who’s the boss! Be a diva and create an self-care entourage of friends, family members, co-workers and healthcare professionals to help you perform your daily routine at your best! Talk openly about your concerns, ask for help and share your self-care successes and you’ll be surprised how much easier, less confusing and frustrating living with diabetes can be.

Glam More, Fear Less: Tune into Diva TalkRadio hosted by by the happy healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic and featuring celebrities, doctors and beauty and fashion experts.  Enjoy over 30 Diva TalkRadio show are available for free on i-tunes (search ‘Divabetic’) and at: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/divatalkradio1.

Saluting The Man Behind ‘I’m Every Woman’: Nick Ashford

Diva TalkRadio: Nick Ashford & I'm Every Woman

Nick Ashford, one-half of the legendary Motown songwriting duo Ashford & Simpson that penned elegant, soulful classics for the likes of Diana Ross and Marvin Gaye and funk hits for Chaka Khan and others, died Monday at age 70, his former publicist said. Ashford, who along with wife Valerie Simpson wrote some of Motown’s biggest hits, died in a New York City hospital, said publicist Liz Rosenberg. He had been suffering from throat cancer and had undergone radiation treatment, she told The Associated Press.

Ashford and Simpson wrote “Ain’t Nothing Like The Real Thing” for Marvin Gaye and Tammy Terrell, “Reach Out and Touch (Somebody’s Hand)” for Diana Ross and “Solid as a Rock” for themselves. Over the course of their entire career, generally speaking, Valerie Simpson wrote the music, Nick Asford wrote the lyrics.

Believe it or not, Ashford told NPR five years ago he never expected that song to get big. “I was shocked — surprised — when ‘Solid’ became a hit,” he said. “I wasn’t sure I thought — I loved the song but didn’t think it would rise to the heights it rose. It was just interesting to me. And now it’s like our anthem. We can’t leave the stage before we sing that.”

Of course, the  Ashford & Simpson song that remains at the top of Divabetic’s live show playlist is, “I’m Every Woman.”  Mr. Divabetic feels so strongly that its one of the most meaningful feminist pop anthems of all time – we simply don’t pass the boa without it!

It’s in his expansiveness, his brevity and his generosity of vision that put Nick Ashford in the ranks of Ira Gershwin, Billy Strayhorn and Smoky Robinson. We celebrate the talents and spirit of writer, producer and singer Nickolas Ashford. His lyrics and art of storytelling in song beautifully expressed our  joys, loves, sorrows, good times and goodbyes.

LISTEN NOW: Enjoy a soulful approach to diabetes and wellness education on Diva TalkRadio at divabetic.org. We’re podcasting with attitude!