I’m spending my #InternetGeek Tuesday at Do Something Better – A Nonprofit Technology Summit (#nptechdc2014) sponsored by Connect.DC. The #NPTechDC2014 will explore topics such as leveraging technology to reach audiences, design thinking for growth, funding for social good projects, and my personal favorite — digital citizenship and what it means to be fully engaged. Follow me on Instagram and Twitter at @anandaleeke for live updates. I’ll also share photos and short updates on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Tumblr.
I am a teacher of visually impaired students in Honesdale, Pennsylvania. You can follow me on Twitter at @SaltyBeach.
2) Why did you apply to participate in the #WHSocial?
My 140 character statement I submitted to participate in the #WHSocial stated how I honored I would be to attend the event as a teacher of the visually impaired and a former recipient of school loans. I also explained how I am proof of success from supporting education.
3) Share the key moments you experienced while participating in the #WHSocial.
My key moments included:
A breathtaking view of the White House up close.
Chills hearing the President’s March and hearing him being announced in person.
Being so close to two leaders while they gave welcome speeches.
The electrical excitement in the crowd before the ceremony began.
Watching the pomp and circumstance during the arrival of the Presidents was surreal.
4) What social media tools did you use to support your participation in the #WHSocial?
A cell phone, iPad, and camera.
5) After the #WHSocial, did you write or participate in any follow-up interviews for a blog, magazine, newspaper, radio station, or television station?
I shared the State Room presentations with school officials at all of my placements and with my students. I shared my personal experience with friends and family via Facebook. An area newspaper asked for an interview that has not occurred yet.
6) Did you learn any lessons while participating in the #WHSocial?
The main lesson I learned was always try to participate in patriotic and political events. It brings history to life.
7) What does digital citizenship mean to you?
Digital citizenship is a part of our world. Embrace it, use it to learn from, and network through it. I love it!
8) How are you planning to stay engaged as a digital citizen?
I try to monitor the White House social media more often and engage in Twitter political interaction more.
9) Share several ways Americans can use their digital presence and online network to engage civically on a local, state, and/or national level.
Engage and follow local representatives to stay involved with current events and pending laws.
Spring is a great time to practice yoga outside. Where do you like to practice yoga outside? My favorite places include Malcolm X – Meridian Hill Park in my DC neighborhood and the beach.
Today’s podcast offers creative wisdom from Mexican artist Frida Kahlo. It also includes a short poem I wrote about the impact Kahlo’s work has had on my creative life. Click here to listen to the podcast.
Need some creativity food for thought to start your Spring season? Check out the message below. Share your thoughts in the comment section.
SPECIAL MARCH TREAT — Opening Your Creative Heart Coaching Special Discount
From now until March 31, I am offering a special discount package on my creativity coaching services. See details below.
My Creativity Coaching Practice: Click here to read more about my approach and background as a creativity coach.
Discount Period: The creativity coaching packages must be purchased via PayPal by March 31, 2014. They must be used by July 31, 2014.
Contact Information: If you are interested in one or more of the packages, please send me an email at kiamshaleeke@yahoo.com to schedule a free 20-minute consultation call (available via telephone, Skype, and Google Hangout).
2) Why did you apply to participate in the #SOTUSocial?
I wanted to help share the President’s message and show how real, every day, ordinary people can be involved and help make a difference.
3) Share the key moments you experienced while participating in the #SOTUSocial.
Meeting Press Secretary Jay Carney and simply walking into the White House.
4) What social media tools did you use to support your participation in the #SOTUSocial?
I used Twitter, Facebook, and also posted on Google +, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
5) After the #SOTUSocial, did you write or participate in any follow-up interviews for a blog, magazine, newspaper, radio station, or television station?
I wrote a blog post about my experience. Click here to read it.
6) Did you learn any lessons while participating in the #SOTUSocial?
My best lesson was to bring your own WiFi which I did.
7) What does digital citizenship mean to you?
Digital citizenship means to engage with people and access information about issues that matter to you by connecting with them online
8) How are you planning to stay engaged as a digital citizen?
I’m a digital communications manager and all over the web. I love managing, leading, innovating, and engaging communities of people through digital communications.
9) Share several ways Americans can use their digital presence and online network to engage civically on a local, state, and/or national level.
Anyone can make a difference and get involved! Opportunities are boundless in the digital world.
Have you ever had several days of yoga aha moments?
What did you learn?
Over the past three days, I had a series of yoga aha moments about the power of Shakti energy in my yin yoga practice and studies and my work with yoga clients. Cluck on the link to listen to today’s podcast to learn more abput yoga aha moments (9 minutes). http://soundcloud.com/ananda-leeke/listen-to-yoga-teacher-ananda
I express creativity in the clothes I wear. I love wearing colors that represent the seven chakras. They energize me.
I also express creativity by visiting museums like the National Museum of Women in the Arts.
Last weekend I went to the National Museum of Women in the Arts to see an exhibition featuring feminist artist Judy Chicago. I also saw the quilt exhibition. Both exhibitions got my creative juices bubbling. New art is coming!
On Sunday, I hosted the Ananda Leeke Show’s Digital Citizenship Project series featuring women social media leaders Erin Dunne, Kelsey Glover, and Katie Kaestner. We discussed our recent participation in the U.S. Department of State’s Meetup for the International Women of Courage (#IWOC) Award Ceremony on March 4. Click here to listen to the audio recording.
#IWOC Women Social Media Leaders at State Department on 3/4/14 — Photo Credit: Katie Kaestner
During the show, we gave a special shout out to our fellow women social media leaders who were unable to join the discussion: Laila Alawa, Salma Bahramy, and Jen Charlton.
International Women of Courage 2014 Awardees and FLOTUS Michelle Obama — Photo Credit: State.gov
We also discussed how inspired we were by the 10 #IWOC awardees who were honored for their exceptional courage and leadership in advocating for human rights, women’s equality, and social progress, often at great personal risk. See list of #IWOC awardees below.
Dr. Nasrin Oryakhil, Director, Malalai Maternity Hospital Kabul (Afghanistan)
Ms. Roshika Deo, Feminist and Political Activist, Be the Change Campaign (Fiji)
Bishop Rusudan Gotsiridze, Bishop, Evangelical Baptist Church of Georgia (Georgia)
Dr. Iris Yassmin Barrios Aguilar, Tribunal President, High Risk Court (Guatemala)
Laxmi, Campaigner, Stop Acid Attacks (India)
Ms. Fatimata Touré, Etude, de Formation Femme-Action (Mali)
Dr. Maha Al Muneef, Founder and Executive Director, National Family Safety Program (Saudi Arabia) *Awarded in absentia
Ms. Oinikhol Bobonazarova, Director, NGO Perspektiva Plus (Tajikistan)
Ms. Ruslana Lyzhychko, Activist and Pop Artist (Ukraine)
Ms. Beatrice Mtetwa, Human Rights Lawyer (Zimbabwe)
FLOTUS Michelle Obama and the #IWOC Social Media Leaders – Photo Credit: State.gov
We all agreed that meeting First Lady Michelle Obama was a powerful moment and game changer in our lives!
#IWOC Women Social Media Leaders met with U.S. Department of State’s Global Women’s Issues staff
Our face-to-face discussions with staff from the U.S. Department of State’s Office of Global Women’s Issues (GWI) and Bureau of Public Affairs (BPA) gave us an inside view of how the staff makes things happen in their daily work. We met with Irene Marr from the Office of GWI; Moira Whelan, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Digital Strategy in the BPA; Vinay Chawla, Director of Digital Engagement in the BPA; and Hannah Lyons, Public Affairs Specialist in the BPA. To learn more about the #IWOC event and awardees, check out my Pinterest board of resources.
Ananda Leeke 