Host & Planning Committee Biographies

Past JCFW 2012

Desha Jackson, Esq. - Ms. Jackson is the Program Manager for DLJ Give to Live Community Foundation. She is also Chief Executive This foundation supports several charitable causes and raises awareness about significant issues affecting women,children, athletes, elderly, the sick and disabled disease and people in poverty to name a few.

She is also Chief Executive  Officer of DLJ Sports and Entertainment Connection LLC., which provides quality representation, management and consulting services to athletes, coaches and entertainment professionals.  DLJ also provides consultation services for entertainment and sports ventures as well as special advisory services to emerging young athletic talent from under-served communities.

Aside from her sports and entertainment management work, Ms. Jackson is a practicing attorney in the State of New Jersey with over 15 years of experience.  She was named a “Rising Star” in the August 2006-2009 editions of the New Jersey Super Lawyers magazine and listed in the publication, Best Lawyers, in 2009.  In addition to these prestigious accolades, Ms. Jackson is the past president of the New Jersey Women Lawyers Association and the Association of Black Women Lawyers of New Jersey. She is also a member of the American Bar Association and the New Jersey State Bar Association where she is actively involved in the Entertainment, Sports and Arts Section.  In her various capacities, she has planned and executed several major media events and functions.

Rayshawna Fraser – is a Harlem-New York native who began her flirtation with fashion as a child, customizing her school girl looks with studs and glitter.  At 17 yrs. old Fraser started working at Harlem’s famed celebrity staple, Apollo Express Boutique.  There Fraser honed in on her talent for color composition and trend forecasting.  Before long, fashion became a career.   By the time she was 19 yrs. old, Fraser was promoted to assistant buyer making shopping trips to Italy seasonally.  Living the GLAAM life!

As a stylist to A-list celebrities, Fraser has dressed countless Hip Hop artists, actors and known personalities such as, Mary J. Blige, Alicia Keys, Yolanda Adams to name a few.  She later expanded her eye for fashion and talent to the entertainment industry as a casting director working in many video and film projects.  She attributes every success to a deep relationship with God.  GLAAM is a tribute to this divine connection and a movement of positivity that is all inclusive.

GLAAM  is an acronym for God Loves All And Me.  GLAAM is a lifestyle brand which incorporates glamour, spirituality and love into each design.  GLAAM aims to motivate people of all ages, genders, races, and sexualities to be confident, spiritual, different and positive in thought.  Our goal is to empower others to believe they are loved.  This is the GLAAMourous life!

Cast of Jersey Couture – Oxygen Network is home to the hit reality series Jersey Couture about New Jersey’s premiere formal-wear boutique, Diane and Co., located in Freehold, NJ. The popular family-owned boutique is run by mother Diane Scali and her daughters Kimberly and Christina and has been in operation for over 34 years. This highly rated show is running into its 3rd season. Each day they dress man women for various occasions including proms, Sweet 16’s, Pageants and weddings specifically Mothers of the Bride & Groom and more. They recently dressed the current Miss New York USA. These fabulous ladies are not only reality starts, but host a weekly Radio shows on HeartbeatRadiousa.com, serve as Fashion Editors in Bella NYC Magazine, Fashion Stylists for Supermodels Unlimited Magazine and they are currently writing a book. Look out for their new jewelry line in early 2013. The ladies of Jersey Couture make Dreams, NOT Drama!!

Rowena Husbands – Rowena is one of the most recognized and requested celebrity photographers in the business. Her work has adorned the pages of Rolling Stone, The Dolce & Gabana Music Book, Billboard Magazine, Essence Magazine, Ebony Magazine, Vibe Magazine, as well as many other high-profile publications. Her lens transcends the world of art and has allowed her to capture some of today’s most influential figures in the field of music, fashion and entertainment.  Rowena is also Founder of Blink of an Eye Photography, which has served as the official photography company for celebrity clients such as Aretha Franklin, Alicia Keys, Missy Elliott, Jasmine Sullivan as well as fashion designers, Marc Ecko and Jennifer Nicholson.

Michael Anthony’s Restaurant – Michael Anthony’s is Fashionably “Farm to Fork”.  Michael Anthony’s, a Newport fixture in the art of humble sophistication, invites you to partake in a fresh and fanciful experience. They boast sprawling and spacious dining areas with splendid simplicity in décor accented by the freshest most delicious Italian influenced foods that just so happen to be locally sourced (Farm to Fork). From unique esoteric food and wine, hands on yet unobtrusive and attentive service members, an enormous sleek yacht shaped main bar, perfectly portioned private events spaces poised for versatility and finesse, and simply the most breathtaking views of the Newport Waterfront and picturesque New York City Skyline. Make Michael Anthony’s one of your “do’s” this fashion week.

Renee Ali – Celebrity stylist Renee’ Ali has gained international recognition for her work in the high fashion arena. Over the past two decades, Ali has worked in television, film and editorial and some of her most notable credits include the Academy Awards, Grammy Awards, All My Children, Monday Night Football, Soul Train, Glamour UK, InStyle, Elle, Vogue, Allure and the American Music Awards. She has also styled music videos for Christina Aguilera, Alicia Keys and Ciara to name a few. Additionally, Renee Ali has worked with major organizations and events such as New York Fashion Week, Miami Fashion Week, Johnson & Johnson, the American Cancer Society, the NFL Cheerleaders and both Columbia and Epic Records. She continues to style internationally while owning her own salon and spa.