Out of all the different non-profit organizations we cover on Celeb Secrets, one of our favorite ones is WE. Why? Because it educates us on how we can make social change in our communities — something that has to be addressed in our current political climate.
Before WE Day California took place at the Forum in Los Angeles (read all about our morning at the event here), the WE Movement teamed up with Pacsun to throw a “Party With a Purpose” and it was so inspiring.
With celebrities like Winnie Harlow, Lilly Singh, Paula Abdul, Henry Winkler, Adrian Grenier, Tyler Hilton, Kardinal Offishall, Monique Coleman, Olesya Rulin, Keshia Chante, Zuri Hall, and Tyrone “T-rex” Edwards in attendance, the event gathered WE activists and celebrity ambassadors at West Hollywood hot spot The Peppermint Club to celebrate the incredible impacts WE is making to affect change across North America and the world.
Before the event began, Celeb Secrets hit up the red — or should we say blue — carpet to chat with the celebrities in attendance about their involvement with the WE movement and what they’ve been up to.
Dancer and Choreographer Paula Abdul was one of the first guests to arrive and opened up about her involvement with WE. Being introduced to the organization almost three years ago, Abdul told Celeb Secrets that she feels “so fortunate” to have met WE founders Craig and Marc.
“I feel honored and so fortunate to be a part of this movement because I’ve never been involved with anything where I see instantaneously young people’s lives changing. What I love about the founders is that it doesn’t matter what the cause is as long as there’s passion attached to it and that it’s helping and paying forward. That’s what I love about this. It’s truly been the most exciting and most fulfilling part of philanthropy that I’ve done,” Paula passionately told us.
“As entertainers, we’re just like the conduits to help keep it out there how great these young people are doing and what they’re doing,” she continued. “I’ve met kids, preteens that are working for NASA right now because they’re inventing 3D hands, and it’s mind boggling what goes on.”
The former So You Think You Can Dance judge also advised our young readers on how to make a change in their communities by saying this — “There’s nothing too small. What’s considered small, one little step, before you know it you’re looking back and you’re trying to find that first little step that you took.”
Following Paula, we met up with former High School Musical stars Monique Coleman and Olesya Rulin who have been living their best lives while trying to inspire and empower people.
“I’m actually Allstate Foundation’s Good Starts Young Ambassador they’re the co-title sponsor, so I get to travel all around the country with WE volunteer now,” Monique Coleman shared. “I don’t even know what number WE Day this is going to be for me — I started an organization on my own 7 years ago, and [WE] can do it so much bigger and better than I ever would be able to on my own. I’m also an example of me trying to do it by myself to we by linking up to be able to empower and inspire and motivate so many more young people.”
Lastly, both longtime supporters of WE — Henry Winkler and Tyrone “T-rex” Edwards — stopped by to chat about why they love the organization and how our readers can help the WE movement by doing good in their own communities.
“[they could make a difference] by being good human beings, taking care of their fellow friends and students, taking care of the elderly, making a food bank, or even building somebody’s home. There are thousands of ways. You know, you don’t have to do everything. You just have to do one thing,” Winkler said.
“Do what feels right instead of what you think is right,” Edwards added. “We’re all who we are, we are all unique and what we bring to the table is exactly that. I think it’s about paying attention to what you’re really feeling in time, what you’re truly passionate about, and then helping out in the best way you can. I think a lot of times we waste our time on what we think we’re supposed to do. I would say, trust your heart, trust your gut. We are complex and divine people as humans, and when you tap into what your mind, your body, your spirit is bringing you toward, you can definitely follow the right steps.”
After the blue carpet, we headed inside The Peppermint Club where the evening kicked off with an opening speech from co-founder of WE Craig Kielburger, followed by special guest speakers: digital influencer and women’s equality activist Lilly Singh and international model and body positivity activist Winnie Harlow.
Singh gave a heartfelt speech sharing her “WHY” (reason for getting involved with WE Movement) and details from a ME to WE trip to Kenya that supported access to education for girls through her #GirlLove Rafiki bracelets.
Longtime ME to WE ambassador, Winnie Harlow, gave an empowering speech about her personal story and her experience with WE. She discussed her projects and work to make a positive impact on the world.
Following the speeches, dvsn — an R&B duo signed to Drake’s OVO label — gave a standout performance of “Hallucinations” and had the whole crowd tapping along to their music. As the night went on, attendees mingled and shared inspiring stories with each other all while getting ready for the big event the following day. The room had such a great, positive energy and was definitely a night to remember.