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Happy Internet Geek Tuesday – Woman-Centered and Created Webisodes & Web Stations – 3/12

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RoomieLoverFriends webisode created by Dennis Dortch and Numa Perrier
RoomieLoverFriends webisode created by Dennis Dortch and Numa Perrier

Happy Internet Geek Tuesday!

I LOVE WATCHING WEBISODES!!!!!!

Last year, I fell in love with Black & Sexy TV’s Roomieloverfriends webisode series created by Numa Perrier and Dennis Dortch. Issa Rae is serving as the executive producer. The actors are Shayla Hale and Andra Fuller.

Roomieloverfriends photo of characters Tomiko and Jay
Roomieloverfriends photo of characters Tomiko and Jay

Roomieloverfriends tells the story of two roommates, Tomiko, a twentysomething woman, and Jay, a twentysomething man. They end up sleeping together which complicates their relationship and dating experiences. The storylines are Love Jones juicy! Click here to watch Season One.

FYI: The Black & Sexy TV team used indiegogo as a crowdfunding tool to raise money over $16,000 to develop Season Two.

I am also a HUGE fan of web-based programming created by and about women. Since it’s National Women’s History Month, I have included a list of some of my favorite webisodes, web-based programs, and web destinations/stations. Please share your favorites in the comment section below.

My Favorites (not all are mentioned)

  • Afro City TV webisode series by Rhonda Ray and Lobace Stoll
  • AHSHE webisode series (season 1 and 2 — won the 2012 LA Web Festival’s award for Outstanding Achievement in the Soap Opera Category) by Toni Odom (my Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority sister!!!!)
  • Bestsellers dramedy webisode series by Susan Miller (series completed)
  • Between Women dramedy webisode series by Michelle A. Daniel (season 1 completed and catch season 2 beginning March 12)
  • Blind Date comedy webisode series by Melanie Hamilton (series completed)Celeste Bright drama webisode series by Sonya Steele (series completed)
  • Chic Rebellion TV (web TV network that develops, produces, distributes and syndicates original web series programming for women of color) by Elayne Fluker
  • Digital Chick TV (web community created to connect women to online programming that also provides original programming and information on the women within the digital industry) by Daryn Strauss
  • Downsized comedy webisode series (season 1 and 2 completed) by Daryn Strauss
  • Downtown Girls comedy webisode series by Emebeit Beyene, Crystal Boyd, Chivonne Michelle and Chandra Russell (visit the web site too! — currently showing new episodes and using indiegogo to raise funds)
  • Everything’s Coming Up Ro-ses comedy webisode series by Roetta Collins 
  • Friday Girl TV (web station) by Ashia Sims and Sabrina Harvey
  • Good People in Love drama webisode series by Tina Cesa Ward (series completed)
  • HELLO CUPID comedy webisode series by Ashley Blaine Featherson and Lena Waithe (currently airs new episodes on Black & Sexy TV)
  • Jenifer Lewis and Shangela comedy webisode series produced by Jenifer Lewis with The Collaboration Factory
  • Kindred drama webisode series by Jessica Hartley, Maureen Aladin, and Ella Turenne (series completed)
  • milk & honey drama webisode series by Dana Gills, Asha Kamali
    May and Jeanette McDuffie (series completed)
  • Mingle Media TV, an indie interactive entertainment network by Stephanie Piche (The network broadcasts celebrity interviews and reviews, lifestyle and indie live stream, produced and scripted web TV series entertainment programming.)
  • The Couple comedy webisode series (season 1 completed and season 2 just started again) by Jeanine Daniels, Dennis Dortch, and Numa Perrier of Black & Sexy TV
  • The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl comedy webisode series (season 1 and 2 completed) by Issa Rae
  • The Power Object comedy webisode series by Claire-Dee Lim (series completed)
  • The Real Girls Guide to Everything Else comedy webisode series by Carmen Elena Mitchell (season 1 completed — Check out the blog too! In 2010, the series won the Audience Choice Award from the HollyShorts Film Festival and actress Robin Dalea was also recognized at the L.A. Web Festival as the best lead actress in a comedy.)
  • The Slutty Years comedy webisode series by Amy Aniobi (currently airs new episodes)
  • Tickles TV (web destination/station with original programming) by Haj (my favorite is a series of videos featuring Funnel Cake Flowers, the Urban Chameleon news reporter)
  • Unwritten Rules comedy webisode series by Kim Williams (season 1 complete and gearing up for season 2)
  • WIGS YouTube Channel (original series, short films, and documentaries starring female leads and often written by women; One of my favorite series, BLUE with actress Julia Stiles begins its second season with 26 episodes on March 15)

Thanks for stopping by!

Happy Yoga Monday! 3/11

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Opening to Spirit
Opening to Spirit

Happy Yoga Monday!

I am a book lover who has a serious crush on yoga books. The first yoga book that I had a crush on was Opening to Spirit by Caroline Shola Arewa. I discovered it in 1999. It is filled with yoga and chakra wisdom that influenced my healing arts practice and artwork. Watch my short video that mentions the book.

Do you have any favorite yoga books?

OM #YogaMonday OM!

PS: If you would like to read about my yoga journey, check out my memoir That Which Awakens Me on Amazon.com. It is available on Kindle

My debut novel Love’s Troubadours – Karma: Book One features a main character who works as a yoga teacher in Washington, D.C. Click here to visit the Love’s Troubadours’ Pinterest board which contains some great information about the novel. You can purchase it on Amazon.com.

Happy Creativity Thursday – 3/7

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Ananda at Walter Reed
Ananda at Walter Reed
Artwork at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center - 4th Floor
Artwork at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center – 4th Floor

Happy Creativity Thursday!

Today, I am celebrating the amazing wounded warriors, military families, and hospital staff I get to work with as an artist-in-residence for Smith Center for Healing and the Arts each week at Walter Reed Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland.

Photo Credit: Leigh Mosley - www.leighmosley.com
Photo Credit: Leigh Mosley – http://www.leighmosley.com

I’ve been working as a Smith Center artist since 2002. My work at Walter Reed began in 2010. Since then, I have grown to deeply appreciate the many sacrifices our military women, men, and families make on behalf of the United States of America. I have also been able to witness the fantastic creative expressions of military women, men, and their families. What a blessing!

Art supplies
Art supplies
Wounded warrior's water color painting
Wounded warrior’s water color painting

wr-artwork3

Click here to see photos from my Walter Reed experiences. Enjoy!

When I am not working at Walter Reed, I am always on the look out for creative inspiration. I find it in books, films, magazines, music, social media (Pinterest), web sites, and yoga. This month, I am getting a lot of inspiration from Poets & Writers magazine.

March 2013 issue of Poets & Writers
March 2013 issue of Poets & Writers

What are your sources of creative inspiration?

PS: If you would like to read about my creative journey, check out my memoir That Which Awakens Me on Amazon.com. It is available on Kindle.

My debut novel Love’s Troubadours – Karma: Book One features a main character who works as a museum curator and art consultant in Washington, D.C. Click here to visit the Love’s Troubadours’ Pinterest board which contains some great information about the novel. You can purchase it on Amazon.com.

Happy Internet Geek Tuesday! 3/5

Posted by on in Ananda@16thandU: Lifestylista in Love with DC, Internet Geek TuesdayLeave a comment
Ananda@16thandU: Lifestylista in Love with DC blog
Ananda@16thandU: Lifestylista in Love with DC blog

Happy Internet Geek Tuesday!

Guess what I am doing this month? I’m finally starting to blog about my lifestylista adventures in neighborhoods located in Washington, D.C. Click here to read my first post for 2013 on my Tumblr blog, Ananda@16thandU: Lifestylista in Love with DC.

I have included some information about my lifestyle blog below. Enjoy!

Why Did I Relaunch My Tumblr Blog?

For more than 20 years, I have been a resident of the historic U Street neighborhood in Washington, D.C. During this period of time, U Street has nurtured my expression and growth as an artist, author, coach, yoga teacher, and innerpreneur. While I was writing Digital Sisterhood: A Memoir of Fierce Living Online (2013), I had a chance to reflect on how much I adore D.C. neighborhoods and the roles they have played in my novel, Love’s Troubadours: Karma – Book One, and my creative memoir, That Which Awakens Me. That’s when I realized how much I wanted to express my passion for living in D.C. My passion turned into a full-blown blog idea after I attended Fashion Night Out DC in my Adams Morgan and U Street neighborhoods with my digital sister Brea Ellis, founder of What I Wore: tip to toe blog in September 2012.

What Will My Lifestyle Blog Feature?

My lifestyle blog will feature audio recordings, photos, reflections, stories, and videos that document my #eatshopplay adventures in D.C. neighborhoods including Adams Morgan, Capitol Hill, Cleveland Park, Columbia Heights, Dupont Circle, Friendship Heights, Logan Circle, Mount Pleasant, Petworth, Shaw, Tenleytown, and U Street. Some blog posts will discuss how I take a part of my DC neighborhoods with me when I travel to other cities. A few will include memories from my DC experiences over the past 20+ years.

What Is A Lifestylista?

A Lifestylista is a woman who lives her life as a work of art; expresses it through her passion for beauty, entertaining, fashion, food, home décor, personal style, and travel; and inspires others to live their lives as works of art.

Excerpt from Digital Sisterhood: A Memoir of Fierce Living Online (2013)

How Often Will Blog Posts Be Published?

My blog posting schedule is organic! That means I will post when I have something fun to share!

 

 

 

Happy Yoga Monday 3/4

Posted by on in Yoga, yoga for computer users, yoga for social media users, Yoga Mondays2 Comments
Ananda at the London Buddhist Centre, 2007
Ananda at the London Buddhist Centre, 2007

Happy Yoga Monday!

Yoga is a Sanksrit word that means union or connection to all things. It begins with the breath. When I practice yoga, it helps me slow down. It makes me more mindful and allows me to make better choices. Click here to watch my yoga video that includes breathing exercises. Enjoy!

What does yoga do for you?

OM #YogaMonday OM!

PS: If you would like to read about my yoga journey, check out my memoir That Which Awakens Me on Amazon.com. It is available on Kindle.

My debut novel Love’s Troubadours – Karma: Book One features a main character who works as a yoga teacher in Washington, D.C. Click here to visit the Love’s Troubadours’ Pinterest board which contains some great information about the novel. You can purchase it on Amazon.com.

Happy Creativity Thursday – 2/28

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Kelly Rae Roberts' book
Kelly Rae Roberts’ book

Happy Creativity Thursday!

Today, I am celebrating the creative work of Kelly Rae Roberts, an artist, author, and blogger I discovered last year when I was in need of creative inspiration. Kelly’s blog and book, Taking Flight: Inspiration And Techniques To Give Your Creative Spirit Wings, were a breath of fresh air. They helped me move through some major blocks to my creative expression. They reminded me of my joie de vivre for making collages and encouraged me to make wall collages in my work as an artist-in-residence for Smith Center for Healing and the Arts at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. Check out several of my wall collages below.

Are you into making collages?

What types of images do you use in your collages?

Breast Cancer Awareness Month 2012 wall collage
Breast Cancer Awareness Month 2012 wall collage
Valentine's Day wall collage
Valentine’s Day wall collage

Happy Internet Geek Tuesday! 2/26

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DigitalUnDivided.com
DigitalUnDivided.com

Happy Internet Geek Tuesday!

Today, I am reflecting on digitalundivided’s FOCUS100 Symposium that was held on October 6, 2012, at Oglivy & Mather’s World headquarters in New York City.

digitalundivided is a social enterprise that builds forward thinking initiatives that fundamentally change the digital space by increasing the number of Black and Latino women digital entrepreneurs. It was established by Kathryn Finney, Editor-At-Large at BlogHer, Inc and CEO of TBF Group, LLC, parent company of The Budget Fashionista brand, in 2012.

I served as a FOCUS100 advisory board member. My Digital Sisterhood Network was a media partner for the event.

Me at Focus100
Me at Focus100

My digital sister and PR coach Xina Eiland attended the event with me. Some of my key moments included:

1) Reconnecting with my digital sisters, Luvvie Ajayi, Cheryl Contee, Dr. Goddess, Elisa Camahort Page, Susan Getgood, Shireen Mitchell, and Felicia Pride.

2) Meeting some of my favorite digital sisters such as Dupe Ajayi, Marcia Wade Talbert, Majora Carter, Elayne Fluker, and Sian Morson for the first time in real life (gotta love IRL).

Ananda and Majora Carter at FOCUS100
Ananda and Majora Carter at FOCUS100
Elayne Fluker, Xina Eiland, and Ananda at FOCUS100
Elayne Fluker, Xina Eiland, and Ananda at FOCUS100

3) Connecting with some of my favorite digital brothers such as Mike Street and  “ILUVBlackWomen” Martin Johnson Pratt for the first time in real life.

4) Feeling Majora Carter’s gratitude as she shared how powerful it was to be in the room with so many amazing Black women during her morning keynote.

5) Gathering wisdom from Mayor Cory A. Booker’s afternoon keynote.

Kathryn Finney and Mayor Cory Booker at FOCUS100
Kathryn Finney and Mayor Cory Booker at FOCUS100

6) Hugging #FOCUS100 team members Nichelle Stephens and Alisha Miranda.

7) Chatting with Kailei Richardson, a Chicago-based entrepreneur, about her lifestyle site, Vyneworld.com.

8) Gaining pearls of wisdom during panel discussions featuring Monif Clarke, founder of Monif C Plus Sizes; Ella Gorgla, founder of I-ELLA; Heather Hines, founder of Pathbrite; Kelly Hoey, co-founder of Women Innovate Mobile; Deborah Jackson, co-founder of Women Innovate Mobile; Jess Moore, co-founder of StyleBook;  and Zuhairah Scott-Washington, founder of Kahnoodle (Focus100 Ptichcamp winner).

9) Sitting next to Rachel Brooks and learning about her Chicago-based tech company, CitizenMade.

10) Talking with Marcia Cole, founder of Ivy Digital, about meeting each other at Heart and Soul magazine in 2001 (Heart and Soul published an article about my life as an artist).

11) Having a deep sista-to-sista chat with Lena West, CEO of Influence Expansion,  in the break room (powerful and deep).

12) Listening to digitalundivided founder Kathryn Finney’s presentation of key trends, statistics, and emerging patterns regarding Black women’s engagement across a variety of technology sectors (amazing slides!).

Kathryn Finney's presentation slides at FOCUS100
Kathryn Finney’s presentation slides at FOCUS100
Kathryn Finney's presentation slides at FOCUS100
Kathryn Finney’s presentation slides at FOCUS100

13) Networking with several DC-based women entrepreneurs such as Ama Marfo, founder of Airfordable, a travel app (still in development). They reminded me that DC women entrepreneurs rock!

14) Chatting about popsicles and the Miami tech scene with Felecia Hatcher, founder of Black Tech Miami.

To learn more about the 2012 FOCUS100 events, check out digitialundividvided’s recap and read Marcia Wade Talbert’s article on BlackEnterprise.com. Click here to read the FOCUS100 speaker and mentor bios.

Happy Yoga Monday 2/25

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Photo Credit: Nakeva Corothershttp://www.flickr.com/photos/nakevanc/6395975919/
Photo Credit: Nakeva Corothers
http://www.flickr.com/photos/nakevanc/6395975919/

Happy Yoga Monday!

Yoga and meditation go hand in hand in my life. I love using heart meditations and deep breathing in my yoga practice. Whenever I do a heart meditation that allows me to place my hand on my heart, I feel a deep sense of gratitude. Click here to learn about a heart meditation you can use in your own yoga practice.

Take some time today to watch a video of my Opening Your Heart yoga class. Have fun! Enjoy!

OM #YogaMonday OM!

PS: If you would like to read about my yoga journey, check out my memoir That Which Awakens Me on Amazon.com. It is available on Kindle

My debut novel Love’s Troubadours – Karma: Book One features a main character who works as a yoga teacher in Washington, D.C. Click here to visit the Love’s Troubadours’ Pinterest board which contains some great information about the novel. You can purchase it on Amazon.com.

Happy Creativity Thursday – 2/21

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Happy Creativity Thursday!

Today, I am celebrating the power of creative community. Being around like-minded creative people inspires me to open my heart more to all forms of creativity. It also helps me to express my creativity in unique ways.

Photo Credit: LiveUnchained.com
Photo Credit: LiveUnchained.com

On February 8, I attended Live Unchained’s Anniversary Celebration and launch of its “Terrifying, Strange and Beautiful” fundraising campaign at Local 16 in my U Street neighborhood in Washington, D.C. Live Unchained is an international arts organization for women across the African diaspora that was established by Kathryn Buford. Click here to read Digital Sisterhood Leadership Project’s profile of Kathryn.

Photo Credit: LiveUnchained.com
Photo Credit: LiveUnchained.com

Live Unchained’s “Terrifying, Strange and Beautiful” fundraising campaign is preparing to bring London-based Somali poet, Warsan Shire to Washington, DC for a “Terrifying, Strange and Beautiful” series and awards ceremony in 2014. The campaign’s name “Terrifying, Strange and Beautiful” is taken from a line from one of Shire’s popular poems, “For Women Who Are Difficult to Love.”

Kathryn Buford on video
Kathryn Buford on video
Kathryn Buford at event
Kathryn Buford at event

During the February 8th celebration, I had a chance to hug and chat with Kathryn about her amazing work. I hung out with one of my favorite digital sisters and creativity accountability partners, Jessica Solomon, Live Unchained’s Connectivity Director. We chatted about the powerful images Live Unchained has been able to share with its online community for the past several years.  In addition, I had some great conversations with my digital sisters Nae Carter, founder of I Choose the Sun blog, and Adrienne Burke, a media curator, as we posed for photos.

Adrienne, Ananda and Nae
Adrienne, Ananda and Nae

My creative heart was thrilled to pieces when I viewed the video introducing the “Terrifying, Strange and Beautiful” fundraising campaign on indiegogo.com. Click here to watch the video. And if you are like me, you will make a donation to support Live Unchained. For more information about the fundraising campaign, click here to read the press release.

#InternetGeekTuesday Update – Ananda’s Social Media Week DC Schedule

Posted by on in Internet Geek Tuesday, Social Media, Social Media WeekLeave a comment
Photo Credit; Social Media Week DC
Photo Credit; Social Media Week DC

Happy Social Media Week DC!

My Social Media Week DC adventures started yesterday with a visit to Judy’s Bar and Restaurant on 14th Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. Although Judy’s is located in my neighborhood and I have walked past it many times, it took the DC Comedy Writers vs. Social Media event to bring me inside.

Photo Credit: Judy's Bar and Restaurant
Photo Credit: Judy’s Bar and Restaurant

Once I was inside, I realized I had been missing out on some great Latin American cuisine. Judy’s is just the kinda neighborhood spot I’ve been searching for. It’s not too big or too crowded. The scene is cozy with delicious drinks and food. The margaritas will rock your world!

I attended the DC Comedy Writers vs. Social Media event for one reason only: TO LAUGH!!!! And guess what? I achieved my goal and learned how to write Instagram jokes with a creative team led by one of my digital brothers, Leon Scott, founder of ListenToLeon.net. I also witnessed the courage of several comedy writers try out their new work which focused on social media themes. If you missed the event, don’t fret. You can drop by Judy’s every Monday night at 8:30 p.m. to witness the creative storytelling efforts of the DC Comedy Writers. Click here to read a recent City Paper article about the group.

Photo Credit: SVELTE, LLC
Photo Credit: SVELTE, LLC

Starting tomorrow (which is #DigitalSisterhood Wednesday on Twitter — appropriate don’t you think?), I’ll be live tweeting from several Social Media Week DC events. See my schedule below. My live tweets will include key takeaways from sessions and photos of DC’s Tech Style. Be sure to follow me on @digitalsisterhd.  Also, follow @smwwdc and the hashtag #smwwdc to stay updated on all Social Media Week DC events.

Ananda’s Social Media Week DC Schedule:

Are you celebrating Social Media Week? What events are you attending or following on Twitter?

Enjoy #InternetGeekTuesday and Social Media Week!

Photo Credit: Allyson Kapin and Amy Sample Ward
Photo Credit: Allyson Kapin and Amy Sample Ward

PS: I am really excited about attending Allyson Kapin and Amy Sample Ward’s book launch party. Why? They are two of my digital diva sheroes!

FYI – Allyson was named 2012 Digital Sister of the Year – Empowerista.