Ananda Leeke

What was your favorite part of President Obama’s NAACP Speech?

Posted by Ananda Leekeon July 17, 2009in African American CultureLeave a comment

*Jul 16 - 00:05*

Happy Friday!

Watching President Obama’s NAACP speech made my day — correction … it made my weekend! My favorite part was: “No one has written your destiny for you. Your destiny is in your hands – and don’t you forget that… No excuses. No excuses,” Obama added, verging off his prepared remarks. “You get that education. All those hardships will just make you stronger, better able to compete. Yes, we can.”

What was your favorite part of President Obama’s NAACP Speech?

Do you think the NAACP is relevent today?

Enjoy your weekend and remember to tune into BAP Living Radio on Sunday, July 17th at 7pm EST for a juicy discussion with the MamaLaw (www.mamalaw.com) bloggers about their upcoming Blogalicious (www.blogaliciousweekend.com) conference for women of color bloggers in October. Click here to listen to the show: http://www.talkshoe.com/tc/18598.

Peace and Creativity,

Ananda

Ananda will talk to the amazing MamaLaw bloggers on July 19th episode of BAP Living Radio

Posted by Ananda Leekeon July 16, 2009in Ananda Leeke, BAP Living Radio, BAP Living Radio and Social Networking Site, Blogging, Blogher Conference, Love's Troubadours - Karma: Book One, Social Media, Women of ColorLeave a comment

Happy Thursday,

Join me for the sixth episode of BAP Living Radio’s series about Black women in social media on Sunday, July 19 at 7:00 p.m EST. The show will feature a discussion with attorney mom bloggers Justices Fergie, Jonesie, and Ny about their amazing MamaLaw blog (www.mamalaw.com) and MamaLaw Media Group. We will also discuss their Blogher (www.blogher.com) event that will be held next week in Chicago and Blogalicious (http://www.blogaliciousweekend.com), their first annual conference for women of color bloggers that will be held on October 9 to October 11 in Atlanta, Georgia. Click here to listen to the show: www.talkshoe.com/tc/18598.

About BAP Living Radio

BAP Living Radio affirms the lives of women of African descent who self-identify as Black American Princesses (BAPs) and educated Black women (EBW). BAP Living Radio features programs about self-love, self-care, spirituality, health, finances, social media, politics, technology, beauty, fashion, art, music, culture, community service, creativity, fitness, travel, and more.

BAP Living Radio supports the following BAP Living social media projects:

-BAP Living social networking site – http://baplivingforbapsandebw.ning.com

-BAP Living Facebook Group – http://www.new.facebook.com/group.php?gid=15124364305

-BAP Living on Twitter – http://twitter.com/bapliving

I created BAP Living social media projects in response to positive feedback from readers of my debut novel, Love’s Troubadours – Karma: Book One (www.lovestroubadours.com). Love’s Troubadours – Karma: Book One tells the story of Karma Francois, a thirtysomething California-born BoHo BAP (Bohemian Black American Princess) with Louisiana roots and urban debutante flair. The book shows how a woman uses therapy, yoga, meditation, art, music, poetry, and support from family and friends to confront the effects of her poor life choices and embrace a spiritual journey of healing and love. It was published by iUniverse, Inc. in August 2007 and is available on Amazon.com.

Wreck This Journal – Week 6 – Creative Play & Gratitude

Posted by Ananda Leekeon July 15, 2009July 15, 2009in Creativity, Next Chapter Book Bloggign Group, Wreck This Journal2 Comments

WTJ

Happy Wednesday!

Today I decided to share what I have been doing in my Wreck This Journal book for Week 6. Click here to see what my creative sistaloves from the Next Chapter Book Blogging Group have done during Week 6: http://tnc-wreckthisjournal.blogspot.com/2009/07/wreck-this-journal-week-6.html.

2008 TWAM Photo Shoot 1 052

2008 TWAM Photo Shoot 1 058

On Sunday morning, I served as a volunteer yoga teacher for my free monthly yoga class (http://yoga.meetup/584) in Malcolm X-Meridian Hill Park (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meridian_Hill_Park), a local slice of paradise in my U Street neighborhood in DC. After the class, I walked up 16th Street to All Souls Unitarian Church (www.all-souls.org) and picked some leaves from various trees. One leaf was shaped in a heart. It was yellow and green. It reminded me of my intention to maintain an open heart. This morning, I created a collage by pasting the heart-shaped leaf on a green piece of construction paper. I also wrote a statement about gratitude on the collage: I am grateful for waking up and seeing Mother Nature in a new day. While reading page 168 of Wreck This Journal, I decided to paste my collage as a secret message in my journal. I used the last two digits of the year I became a debutante for Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. as my secret page. That was a lot of fun to remember. I had big fun with the debutante training process and coming out celebration. What great memories!

I also enjoyed playing on the following pages:

Page 142 asked me to create a sign of what I wanted to say. I wrote a wisdom message that I have been using all week: be grateful for everything and everyone.
Page 122 asked me to trace my hand. I traced my left hand with a black ballpoint pen and thought about how I use my left brain (logical, analytical, objective, and rational) to manage the publication process of my new book, That Which Awakens Me: A Creative Woman’s Poetic Memoir of Self-Discovery (Summer 2009 – iUniverse, Inc.). My left brain has been spearheading the final stages of my book publication process (something I have tried to escape because all I wanna do this summer is play!).
Page 112 invited me to infuse the page with a smell of my choice. This was so much fun. I used my lavender oil and rubbed it on the page. Now my book smells fresh like lavender! Lovely!!!!!
Page 138 told me to write with my left hand. This was silly. I ended up writing “love is all we have.” I can barely read the message!!!!
Page 115 and 116 encouraged me to close my eyes and connect the dots from memory. My lines were all over the place. A few connected the dots. The exercise made me laugh a lot. It was all about CREATIVE PLAY!!!!!
Page 150 felt good to do because it told me lose the page, throw it out, and accept the loss. I needed to do this exercise. Last week I started releasing a lot of clutter in my home and life. After I dumped everything, I felt so much spaciousness in my home and heart. I also felt a sense of loss. I got a little stuck in a sad place until I realized that I needed to accept the loss.

So that’s all I have for Week 6.

Thanks everybody for reading my weekly updates.

Peace and Creativity,

Ananda

The Business of Being Ananda Leeke – Part 2: The Power of an All-Girls School in My Life

Posted by Ananda Leekeon July 14, 2009July 14, 2009in All-girls school, The Business of Being Ananda LeekeLeave a comment

seton

Happy Tuesday!

Today I thought I would post Part 2 of The Business of Being Ananda Leeke. Being Ananda Leeke is rooted in the experiences I had while attending an all-girls school in the late 1970s and early 1980s. What a powerful time in my life!

This morning I listened to a recording of WCPN 90.3 FM’s The Sound of Ideas show. The theme was “Lessons from Girls’ Schools.” Click here to listen to the podcast: http://www.facebook.com/ext/share.php?sid=103850168630&h=0v6RV&u=_TnQ2&ref=nf. It made me think about St. Elizabeth Seton High School (http://www.elizabeth-seton.pvt.k12.md.us), the all-girls Catholic school that I attended in Bladensburg, Maryland . My mother Theresa is the reason I went to Seton. She gave me the same gift of support her mother Dorothy gave her when she decided to attend St. Mary’s Catholic High School in Indianapolis, Indiana during the 1950s.

Seton gave me the opportunity to find my own voice, dream big dreams, develop and share my own opinions, and speak my truth. I learned to be who I wanted to be without concern for what boys might think. My academic experience gave me confidence, promoted my creativity, and established my courage to take risks. Seton also taught me how to manage my time, be independent, serve my community, and actively pursue learning as a passion. The Sisters of Charity and lay teachers challenged me to be the best and achieve at very high levels. They did not accept mediocrity. They reinforced the lessons my mother taught me: own your own abilities and shine your higher self at all times. That’s why I decided to become a lawyer at 16. That’s why I learned how to be a public speaker and entrepreneur through Junior Achievement in my junior and senior years. That’s why I was a student leader, member of the Gospel Choir, and budding artist and writer.

How did your high school years influence you?

Peace and Creativity,

Ananda

Celebrating New Surgeon General – Dr. Regina Benjamin and Sharing Poem About Obama Women

Posted by Ananda Leekeon July 13, 2009July 13, 2009in Uncategorized1 Comment

SURGEON GENERAL BENJAMIN

Dr. Regina Benjamin

Happy Monday!

I am so excited about President Obama’s selecting Dr. Regina Benjamin, a fabulous and fierce African American woman, as the new Surgeon General. What a way to start a Monday! Click here to read the article from the Associated Press: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_surgeon_general.

Dr. Benjamin is founder and CEO of the Bayou La Batre Rural Health Clinic in Bayou La Batre, Alabama. Her clinic is making a difference in the lives of the underserved poor in a small fishing village with approximately 2,500 people. She is a graduate of Xavier University in New Orleans (B.A. in Chemistry), University of Alabama at Birmingham (M.D.), and Tulane University (MBA). Dr. Benjamin was named by Time Magazine as one of the “Nation’s 50 Future Leaders Age 40 and Under. ” She was featured in a New York Times article, “Angel in a White Coat, ” and was chosen “Person of the Week” by ABC’s World News Tonight with Peter Jennings, “Woman of the Year” by CBS This Morning, and “Woman of the Year” by People Magazine. Click here to learn more about Dr. Benjamin and her Bayou La Batre Rural Health Clinic: www.bayouclinic.org/SubMenu.aspx?id=10.

President Obama’s administration has a cadre of powerful African American women affectionately known as the “Obama women.” They inspire me to live a full life, do my best, and serve my community and country by sharing my gifts. I celebrate the “Obama women” in my new book, That Which Awakens Me: A Creative Woman’s Poetic Memoir of Self-Discovery(Summer 2009 – iUniverse, Inc.). See the poem below. Let me know what you think.

What do you think about Dr. Regina Benjamin?

Who are your favorite Obama women?

My favorites are First Lady Michelle Obama, Valerie Jarrett, Desiree Rogers, Susan Rice, Lisa Jackson, and Dr. Regina Benjamin.

Enjoy your day and week!

Peace, Creativity, and Power to the Obama Women,

Ananda

First Lady Michelle Obama

Desiree Rogers (standing) and Valerie Jarrett (sitting)

POEM

Sista7: The Obama Women

When I checked my email this morning, I had a message from my father, a 24/7/365 supporter of President Barack H. Obama.

Daddy’s email greeted me with positive news.

It was a Washington Post article about the brilliant, bold, and beautiful Black women in the Obama administration.

What a way to start a Wednesday in March during Women’s History Month!

The article profiled the Sista7.

Valerie Jarrett, a Senior Advisor and Assistant to the President for Intergovernmental Affairs and Public Liaison.

Desiree Rogers, White House Social Secretary.

Susan Rice, United Nations Ambassador.

Cassandra Butts, deputy White House counsel.

Mona Sutphen, the first Black woman to serve as deputy chief of staff.

Lisa Jackson, the first Black person to head the Environmental Protection Agency.

Melody Barnes, the first Black woman to run the Domestic Policy Council.

They represent something new in Washington: the largest contingent of high-ranking Black women to work for a president.

Trailblazers is the word that captures it all for me.

These phenomenal women have emerged from the margins of American society to the position of gatekeeper in one of the greatest countries in the world.

Each one is a household name in my life.

Tracking their efforts on the Internet is one of my favorite things to do.

Watching them in action inspires me.

They have become an affirmation of what’s possible for Black women in America.

That’s why I claim them as my sheros.

That’s why I continuously celebrate their presence, passion, and power.

May we all do the same.

Celebrating My Grandmother Dorothy Mae Johnson Gartin’s 97th Birthday with Poetry

Posted by Ananda Leekeon July 10, 2009in Uncategorized1 Comment

nanan Photo of my grandparents Dorothy Mae Johnson Gartin and Robert Warren Gartin, Sr. of Indianapolis, IN

Happy 97th Birthday to my feisty grandmother Dorothy Mae Johnson Gartin affectionately known as “Nanan.” Nanan is my mother’s mother. She was born on July 10, 1912 in North Vernon, Indiana to Ione Goins Johnson King and John Johnson. Nanan currently lives in Indianapolis, Indiana. I wrote a poem about her and featured it in my new book, That Which Awakens Me: A Creative Woman’s Poetic Memoir of Self-Discovery (Summer 2009 – iUniverse, Inc.). See below. Enjoy!

What are your favorite grandmother memories?

Nanan used to make this mad crazy delicious peach cobbler when I visited her in the summers. Yummy!

Peace and Creativity,

Ananda

POEM

My Grandmother Dorothy Mae Johnson Gartin (born in 1912)

Nanan.

She is a woman with a 97 year old history.

Some of which I know.

Other parts remain hidden.

I believe that those parts may remain hidden for eternity.

They are parts of her soul.

Everyone should savor parts of themselves in silence.
A woman with glazed donut skin and winter white and gray hair.
Nanan is taller than I could ever imagine being.
Her personality is fierce.
Her conversation is sweet and sharp.
She don’t take no shit from anyone and will handle her business and yours too.

She is a woman who walks the earth with many titles.
Widow.
Mother.
Grandmother.
Great-grandmother.

Great-great-grandmother.
Domestic worker.
Community volunteer.
Entrepreneur.

My greatest memories of her are wrapped in summertime spent
eating her homemade peach cobbler, golden fried chicken, and potato salad.

Nanan’s soul food left me feeling rich, full, and loved.

Ananda Discusses Environmental Justice Art with Fine Artist Milton Bowens on Go Green Sangha Radio’s July 12th Episode

Posted by Ananda Leekeon July 10, 2009July 10, 2009in Art, community, Environmental Justice Art, Go Green Sangha Radio and Social Networking Site, Green LivingLeave a comment

The First Union by Fine Artist Milton Bowens

Fine Artist Milton Bowens – www.milton510.com

Happy Friday!

I am getting ready for a juicy conversation on environmental justice art with my dear brothalove friend Milton Bowens, an Artist-in-Residency at the Richmond Health Center (Richmond, CA), on Go Green Sangha Radio’s July 12th episode at 7:00pm EST (4pm PAC). Milton will talk about the work he is doing with students at the Richmond Health Center and his new collection of artwork, “Welcome To My Global Hood.” Click here to listen to the show: http://www.talkshoe.com/tc/21325.

To learn more about Milton and his amazing artwork (yes I am a fan!), visit http://www.milton510.com. Also, watch Milton’s YouTube video about his artwork: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gD5yacEKFAs.

One more thing … Check out Milton’s artist statement for his new body of work, “Welcome to My Global Hood.” See below. It’s incredible! I love how Milton uses the word “eye” instead of “I.”

Enjoy your day and weekend!

Peace and Creativity,

Ananda

MILTON’S ARTIST STATEMENT

“Welcome To My Global Hood” – What is Environmental Justice? by Milton Bowens, Arts Change – Artist in Residency 2009, Richmond, CA

What is environmental justice? What is fine Art? How do these two things work together to empower, youth, community and the world abroad? Eye believe fine art is a singular construct made because it must be made, not just to fill a need in any particular market. Eye also, believe environmental justice is not just a slogan or metaphor but a right to ensure that the next generation inherits a healthy planet.
In response to the rapidly changing global crises, eye thought it was long overdue to address some of the more urgent issues from a fine artistic urban perspective. After posing the question “What threatens your environment”, to a group of more than fifteen inner-city children of varied backgrounds, ages and cultures from Richmond, CA and surrounding communities, eye received the same answer. Violence!
Not at all shocked by the response, eye understood that if eye started to talk about global warming and the dangers it presents, and how art could help change the way we see it, eye would be talking at and not with this young audience. So instead eye listened, with the goal of mapping out a visual story line that would ultimately become a blueprint for urban environmental artist activism.

Before these youth could truly become motivated and excited about creating Art and being a part of a global movement towards environmental change, like starvation and disease in Africa or protecting the Rain Forest, Polar Bears and Ice caps, we must first deal with the issues they face at home. I used Art as the tool to not only spark creativity and conversation but to help the Individual making the Art deal with his or her own individual fears. Art Heals.

Art and Social Change is a funny thing….once you’ve done it you can’t take it back. By reflecting on when you started, how you thought, how you felt and then the process of just how much you can grow and evolve in a short span of time, does something to the Artistic creator. It gives that Individual a sense of value that plays an important role in building ones self-esteem. It gives a voice.

When my students saw firsthand, that gang violence in Richmond, CA is no different than the violence in the Middle East or poor drinking water in the Bay isn’t any different than that abroad, or how the severity of today’s natural disasters are not unique to just this country, the light came on. Once that happens in a young person’s mind, it’s hard, if at all possible to turn it off.

They began to realize they are a part of a global community. This becomes the opportunity, the bridge that promises insight from a very different perspective, which ultimately leads to a uniquely thought out and timely body of work.
The goal for this body of work is to re-ignite the fire in the activism doldrums, visually doing away with that “we’ve heard it all before” attitude and to refocus artist, art collectors, art patrons and exhibition spaces on the power of art and its ability to spark change! And bring about real tangible action and not just talk, simply by being the visual witness.

Eye, extend a Heart-felt, sincere invitation to all viewers to take a little time and stroll with me through My Global Hood. Eye, welcome you! Then ask yourself the question can you see what Eye see?

Milton 510 Bowens

My Blogging While Brown Conference Update #2

Posted by Ananda Leekeon July 10, 2009in BAP Living Radio, Blogging, Blogging While Brown Conference1 Comment

bwb2009

Hi All,

I am still marinating on my 2009 Blogging While Brown Conference (BWB) experience. It’s hard to believe that it was just held on June 19 and 20 in Chicago.

Today I watched a fantastic BWB conference wrap up video posted on the BWB web site – www.bloggingwhilebrown.com. Click here to view the YouTube video (8 minutes, 10 seconds): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7TftQZzbOYI.

Last weekend I hosted the fifth episode of BAP Living Radio’s series on Black women in social media which discussed lessons learned from BWB. It featured a dynamic panel of Black women bloggers who attended BWB. Here’s the list of my incredible BWB sistaloves:

-Senam Amegashie – http://www.tweetmeblack.com

-Faith Dow – http://www.actsoffaithinloveandlife.blogspot.com

-Sabrina Miller – www.hitmebackblog.blogspot.com

-Telisha Ng – http://goddessintellect.wordpress.com

-Megan Smith – www.megansminute.com

-Talia Whyte – www.taliawhyte.com

Click here to listen to our juicy BWB discussion (1 hour, 43 minutes): http://www.talkshoe.com/tc/18598.

I promise to post my thoughts about BWB in the coming weeks … definitely before I head back to Chicago to attend the Blogher conference (www.blogher.com).

Enjoy your weekend!

Peace, Creativity, and Blogging Fun Energy,

Ananda

Phase 2 of Summer Creativity Adventures – Maxwell’s BLACKsummers’ night CD

Posted by Ananda Leekeon July 9, 2009July 9, 2009in Love's Troubadours - Karma: Book One, MusicLeave a comment

maxwell

Happy Thursday!

Yesterday I began phase two of my 2009 summer creativity adventures with Maxwell’s new CD, BLACKsummers’ night. Each of the nine tracks has been added to my summer joie de vivre playlist. So far my favorites are “Pretty WIngs,” “Stop the World,” “Love You,” “Playing Possum,” and “Phoenix Rise.”

Are you a Maxwell fan?

When did you discover Maxwell?

If yes, what are your favorite Maxwell CDs, songs, and concert moments?

I discovered Maxwell while watching the movie Love Jones (one of my favorite films) in 1997. All of Maxwell’s CDs are my favorites! I adore “Til the Cops Come Knockin,” “Sumthin’ Sumthin’: Mellosmoothe,” “This Woman’s Work,” “Ascension (Don’t Ever Wonder),” and “Whenever, Wherever, Whatever.” I could listen to them all day and night long. My favorite Maxwell concert moment was seeing him perform at the 1997 Essence Music Festival Concert held in New Orleans. He was amazing! Maxwell’s music also kept me company while I wrote my first novel, Love’s Troubadours – Karma: Book One (2007 – www.lovestroubadours.com).

Enjoy your day!

Peace, Creativity, and Maxwell Music Love,

Ananda

Ananda in the News – North Dallas Gazette Feature

Posted by Ananda Leekeon July 9, 2009in The Ananda Leeke Radio ShowLeave a comment

northdallas

Happy Wednesday!

Many thanks to blogger Shawn P. Williams of Dallas South blog (http://dallassouthblog.com) for hipping me to the fact that I was featured in the North Dallas Gazette. Big ups to the North Dallas gazette for giving me a shout out and promoting my new Talkshoe.com program, The Ananda Leeke Show that aired on June 30. Click here to read the article: http://northdallasgazette.com/archives/06-18-09_edition.pdf.

Enjoy your week!

Peace and Creativity,

Ananda