Now, she’s taking her contact with young women to the next level by joining forces with Petals-n-Belles, a New York City-based organization that mentors young women. Diaz will host the organization’s annual fundraiser in New York City on Wednesday, March 28. “I’m all about giving back,” she tells ESSENCE.com.
“If you’re doing something positive with your life I think it’s important to be an example to younger girls. It’s our duty to give back.”
The New Orleans native, who is also working on growing her own organization, Rocstar Building, says one of the greatest examples she’s seen of giving back was when ESSENCE returned to her hometown after Hurricane Katrina for the ESSENCE Music Festival. “I applaud Essence for coming back,” she says. “A lot of people didn’t think that they should come back, but they did and it helped.”
The annual festival has become a tradition for Diaz and her family. “My favorite memory is seeing Musiq Soulchild in one of the lounges, and then seeing Mary J. Blige at the dome. It’s always a lot of fun,” she says.
Click here to find out more about the Petals-n-Belles organization.
