Hip Hop, Going Green, HIV Awareness and Africa, Top 10 Promotional Ads

When I open a magazine, ads are just in the way of the interviews. I prefer to tape every TV show I watch so I can fast forward through commercials. I arrive to movie theaters late on purpose just so I don't have to watch previews. I put online video ads on mute. I am not the consumer that ad agencies like because I usually ignore campaigning and ads unless it leaves an impression. And these 10 ads are ones that left a lasting impression with me and ones that I wanted to support.

Ad Campaign, Company: The Green Initiative from Simmons Jewelry Company

Campaign Celebrity: Kimora Lee Simmons

Celebrity's Role in Ad: Kimora Lee Simmons is naked from the waist up, with her arms crossed over her chest and countless green diamond bracelets on her wrists

Type of Ad: Print

Why did I choose it: When Kanye West made "Diamonds from Sierra Leone," there was good and bad feedback. The information on blood diamonds made me further believe they're not worth the trouble or the money. Diamonds are not this girl's best friend. However, business partners and previous married couple Russell Simmons and Kimora Lee Simmons brought attention to the monetary funds that diamonds bring to Africa. According to SimmonsJewelryCo.com, 50 percent of the net profits go to Africa through the Diamond Empowerment Fund-a nonprofit organization that raises money for African education programs.

Ad Campaign, Company: I Am Hip Hop

Campaign Celebrity: Rakim

Celebrity's Role in Ad: He's modeling a navy blue "I Am Hip Hop.com" T-shirt.

Type of Ad: Internet

Why did I choose it: Every time some rapper claims he's the best rapper alive, I always check to make sure Rakim is alive and breathing. As long as Rakim is around, he is the best rapper alive. I Am Hip Hop's campaign picked the best celebrity to promote their product and their Web site, and he literally is Hip Hop.

Ad Campaign, Company: Dogfighting Is the Pits from The Humane Society of the United States

Campaign Celebrity: Michael Vick

Celebrity's Role in Ad: He speaks to youth groups about anti-violence and anti-dogfighting.

Type of Ad: Print

Why did I choose it: I strongly believe in doing the crime for doing the time, but I don't support recidivism. Michael Vick took a step in the right direction by partnering with The Humane Society of the United States to speak to inner-city youth about dogfighting. His reputation before and after the dogfighting charges will connect with them far more than other celebs or HSUS representatives.

Ad Campaign, Company: Africa Bono campaign in Vanity Fair

Campaign Celebrity: Maya Angelou, Madonna, Bono, Queen Rania, Brad Pitt, Desmond Tutu, Condoleezza Rice, George Clooney, Oprah Winfrey, Muhammad Ali, (now President) Barack Obama, Bill and Melinda Gates, Don Cheadle, Djimon Hounsou, Chris Rock, Iman, former President George Bush, Warren Buffett

Celebrity's Role in Ad: Vanity Fair had 20 different covers of the same issue with two celebrities on each cover, one whispering in the ear of the other. Each celebrity takes two shots-one whispering to another celeb or listening to someone whisper to him or her.

Type of Ad: Print

Why did I choose it: I strongly support HIV and AIDS Awareness, and this was one of the most compelling ways to get those who still turn a blind eye to the topic to pay attention. The Vanity Fair 20-cover Bono edition gave some very valuable advice, information and news on HIV, plus the covers were fun to collect. My favorites was Maya Angelou whispering to Chris Rock, who has his face in his palm, and Jay-Z with his mouth slightly covered as he whispers to Alicia Keys.

Ad Campaign, Company: Diesel

Campaign Celebrity: Common

Celebrity's Role in Ad: Model

Type of Ad: Print

Why did I choose it: I'm always reviewing perfumes and colognes for my Chicago Fragrance Examiner page, and sometimes I run into fragrances that just don't fit the person. But Only the Brave cologne is one of the sexiest colognes I've ever smelled. I am a longtime fan of Usher for Men, 9IX and Unforgivable for Men colognes, but Diesel is my favorite and Common had the same cool masculine feel.

Ad Campaign, Company:Parlux Fragrances, Inc.

Campaign Celebrity: Queen Latifah

Celebrity's Role in Ad: She is the model and name behind Queen by Queen Latifah perfume.

Type of Ad: Print

Why did I choose it: I don't recall there being any African-American women on perfume lines during my elementary and high school years, so it's cool to see these faces on fragrances. And to see a black woman on a perfume bottle ad who is also a hip hop is even more impressive. She also looks beautiful in the Queen by Queen Latifah ad, wearing a red dress, behind a red and gold chair, in a gold room, the bottle is red and gold, and I love wearing the perfume.

Ad Campaign, Company: Water for Life, partnership with MTV and the United Nations

Campaign Celebrity: Jay-Z

Celebrity's Role in Ad: Sean "Jay-Z" Carter walks with African children in Africa and campaigns to bring clean water to the country.

Type of Ad: Internet video

Why did I choose it: He premiered a video diary, "Water for Life," to talk about his journey into locations that are having an ongoing global water crisis.

Ad Campaign, Company: Rocawear

Campaign Celebrity: Jay-Z

Celebrity's Role in Ad: He is one of the models showcasing Rocawear clothing in Madikwe Game Reserve, ABSA Stadium in Durban and Belleville Velodrome in South Africa.

Type of Ad: Print

Why did I choose it: I want Jay-Z's gold, yellow and white hoodie outlining the seven continents. But besides that, I like the color coordination with him matching the children's uniforms. For those who ignored the "Water for Life" campaign, the more fashion conscious or less conscious hip hop heads may have gained interest in beautiful parts of South Africa that we really don't see. There have only been a handful of hip hop artists who took their businesses to Africa.

Ad Campaign, Company: Sean John Boys

Campaign Celebrity: Diddy

Celebrity's Role in Ad: Diddy plays golf with one of his sons.

Type of Ad: Print

Why did I choose it: President Barack Obama isn't the only one who's dead tired of hearing about absentee fathers. Considering I grew up in a two-parent household with a father who was constantly at PTA meetings, I'm always quick to celebrate fatherhood. No matter how busy Diddy is, he always finds a way to involve his sons in his personal and professional life, which will make them outstanding businessmen. Plus I like how they're defying the stereotypes by looking dapper, professional and playing golf, something black men just weren't bragging about doing before Tiger Woods.

Ad Campaign, Company: Go Veg from PETA

Campaign Celebrity: Masta Killa from Wu-Tang

Celebrity's Role in Ad: Masta Killa is vocal about his decade-plus vegetarian lifestyle.

Type of Ad: Print

Why did I choose it: I had the Go Veg ad with Common in my dining room for a couple years and enjoyed seeing all of the Go Veg ads. I'm neutral on Wu-Tang, not a fan but not a nonfan either. However, considering how many hip hop heads love Wu-Tang, I was truly impressed to find out one of the members was a vegetarian and how vocal he was about it. The vegetarian plate he's holding looks scrumptious as well.