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#BlogHer12 Recap #3 – Ananda’s BlogHer Gratitude

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Ananda after the BlogHer12 5K which was really a shorter fun run she created with a few fellow bloggers on 8/3

Happy Friday!

Last week I joined over 5,000 women and a few good men at the Hilton New York in New York City to celebrate and experience the BlogHer community and economy!

BlogHer welcome sign

Since returning to my home in Washington, D.C., I have:

  • Reflected and journaled about my experiences and lessons learned during the conference (was able to write in my journal thanks to the time I had on  my Bolt Bus ride home to D.C. and my daily subway rides to and from work).
  • Prepared several blog recaps (posted a few on my blog) that I will be using in chapters for my forthcoming book, Digital Sisterhood: Fierce Living Online for 25 Years.
  • Talked to my book editor, parents, team of business advisors, and a few friends about lessons learned from the conference.
  • Posted my photos of the moments I cherished most and shared them on Facebook, Flickr, Instagram, Twitter, and my blog.
  • Reached out and connected with new and old blogging friends via Twitter (especially on #DigitalSisterhood Wednesday), Facebook, email, and text messages on my best friend, my HTC EVO smartphone.
  • Read and was inspired by many recap blog posts and tweets written by conference attendees.
  • Begun to map out the follow up work I need to do between now and the end of 2013 (yes next year) to enhance my talents and skills, expand my thought leadership, deepen my connection and engagement within my own network and the online/offline communities that support me, and further develop my revenue generating streams as an author, artist, blogger, coach, speaker, workshop facilitator, yoga teacher, and Reiki practitioner (what a mouthful!).
  • Mailed thank you cards to some of the BlogHer team members and people I did not have a chance to meet or deliver a card to (the southern belle debutante and sorority girl inside of me is compelled to write thank you cards …. my mother is responsible for this behavior).
  • Organized my small stash of swag with plans to give some of it away as gifts to family and friends (adoring my favorite swag … the Martha Stewart orange journal …. What can I say? The writer in me loves journals and the Martha Stewart brand!).
Ananda feeling like she is in 7th heaven at the Martha Stewart Staples booth on 8/2
Hanging with digital sister Tracey Friley at President Obama’s live video address to the BlogHer community on 8/2
Martha Stewart sharing her wisdom and experiences at Blogher luncheon on 8/3
Podcasting Panel with Jasmin Singer, Deborah Shane, and Ananda on 8/3
Arnebya Herndon, Ananda’s #BlogHer12 roomie, rocking the Voices of the Year with her Trayvon Martin blog post
Ananda and her digital sister Veronica Arreola at breakfast on 8/4
Soaking up the wisdom from the Erotica Out in the Open Session on 8/4
Learning and listening to Tracey Friley at the Travel Philanthropy session on 8/4
Enjoying Lisa Stone’s interview with Katie Couric during the luncheon on 8/4
Paying close attention to what the panelists were sharing during the Pricing session on 8/4
Ananda sitting next to her digital sister/PR coach Xina Eiland during the closing keynote and hearing Lisa Stone and Elisa Camahort Page discuss the BlogHer economy
Ananda’s Instagram photo collage of the Come As You Are party sponsored by Aiming Low on 8/4
BlogHer Fashion Show featuring digital sister Laurita Tellado strut her fabulousness on the runway
BlogHer models rocking the runway with their fierceness!
Enjoying the BlogHer/Blogalicious brunch on 8/5

This morning I woke up with a deep sense of gratitude for all of the things the BlogHer team and community have done and continue to do. I reflected on how I am a direct beneficiary of their efforts. I remembered the impact their efforts have had on me since my first BlogHer conference in 2009 and the conferences I attended in 2010 and 2011.  I smiled at how much I have been able to dream and do as a result of the lessons learned, skills developed, connections I have made, and speaking opportunities I have had. So I wrote an email to BlogHer co-founders Elisa Camahort Page, Lisa Stone, and Jory des Jardins, and members of their amazing team, Polly Pagenhart, Shannon Carroll, Maria Niles, Lori Luna, Amelia Elsbee, and others that was filled with sweet words of gratitude and thanksgiving.

BlogHer Conference Logo

My email talked about how much I value what the BlogHer team does to build and nurture its ever-growing and evolving community, conference, and economy (just love that I can say BlogHer economy … I need a t-shirt to wear in D.C.).  I acknowledged how hard it is for them to build a movement, community, business, and economy. I reminded them that because they invest in me I invest in them, and we are ONE! I sprinkled in some of my flowery words and phrases to make them smile and touch their hearts too!

Ananda feeling grateful for BlogHer during the Podcasting 101 Panel on 8/3

Now I am writing this blog post to say thank you to everyone connected to BlogHer. That means YOU … my fellow attendees, conference volunteers, online community members, speakers, sponsors, vendors, brands, companies, and organizations. Together, we are a movement of passionate and powerful people. May we each recognize, affirm, value, and express our contributions in ways that support our highest and greatest good as individuals, communities, businesses, brands, companies, and organizations!

With deep gratitude and blessings,

Ananda, your digital sister

PS: I am feeling really good due to a Starbucks de-caf venti Cafe Americano with
three pumps of raspberry and my own rice milk, my comfy and cute Ann Taylor Loft dress, and Pandora.com playing in the background! LOL!  It’s just that kinda day! Can you feel me?

#BlogHer12 Recap #2: Ananda Moderates Podcasting 101 Panel

Posted by on in Ananda's Speaking Events, Blogher Conference, BlogHer12, Podcasting2 Comments
Photo Credit: Ananda Leeke

Hi All,

Last week was AWESOME! Why? The BlogHer 12′ conference in New York City. During the conference, I had the privilege of moderating a fantastic Podcasting 101 panel discussion with my brilliant co-panelists Deborah Shane and Jasmin Singer. These ladies were INCREDIBLE! They shared from their hearts and gave the audience lots of great information and feedback. Special thanks Deborah and Jasmin for making the panel a success!

Podcasting Panel members Jasmin Singer, Ananda Leeke & Deborah Shane at BlogHer Speakers Orientation on 8/2/12

Deborah, Jasmin, and I met during the Speakers’ Orientation and recorded a podcast preview of what we planned to share the day before our session. Click here to listen to the Cinchcast podcast.

BlogHer12 Podcasting 101 Panel: Deborah Shane, Ananda Leeke & Jasmin Singer
Photo Credit: Xina Eiland – http://twitter.com/xeiland

I opened the panel discussion with a brief introduction on podcasting that included a definition and reasons why people use podcasts and Internet radio shows.  See below.

1) Definition

Podcasting represents a type of digital media that allows you to create audio content, organize it into an episodic series of audio files that can be subscribed to and downloaded through web syndication or streamed online to a computer, lap top, netbook, tablet,  or mobile device when it is convenient to the listener.

2) Key Podcasting Points

Podcasting is used to:

  • Generate conversations through storytelling, sharing information, and interviewing others.
  • Create, curate, and market content.
  • Advocate and promote causes and campaigns that promote social change, social good, social justice, and other issues.
  • Build and engage community.
  • Market and promote events, products, and services.
  • Develop thought leadership expertise and speaking skills.
  • Gather research and document best practices.

I asked the attendees several questions to determine their level of interest and skills. See below.

  • How many people host a podcast or radio show?
  • How many people want to launch a podcast or radio show?
  • How many people listen to podcasts or radio shows?

After the audience responded with a show of hands for each question, Deborah, Jasmin, and I shared how and why we started podcasting and hosting Internet radio shows. We also gave podcasting and Internet radio show tips and explained the benefits of podcasting and hosting Internet radio shows. Click on the links below to read my blog posts that feature podcasting tips and benefits and to view the Podcsting 101 Pinterest (lots of great resources).

Deborah gave a talk on branding and marketing podcasts and Internet radio shows.

Photo Credit: Sahaj Kohli

Many thanks to Sahaj Kohli for taking the photo above and tweeting it out during the session.

For more information about the panel’s comments, click here to read Arie Rich’s live blogging notes. She captured the essence of the panel! Thanks Arie! You ROCK!

Photo Credit: Ananda Leeke

Click here to listen to my Cinchcast interview about the Podcasting Panel 101 session her with Laura E., publisher of Fresh From My Desk blog.

Ananda and Podcasting 101 Panel attendee Laura E.
Podcasting 101 panel attendees

Check out the Podcasting 101 Twitterstream below to learn what other attendees said about the session.

#BlogHer12 Recap #1 – My Best Moment … Seeing President Obama

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Last week I attended the annual BlogHer conference in New York City. It was a great conference filled with many powerful moments.  The best and most powerful moment I had was watching BlogHer co-founders Lisa Stone and Elisa Camahort Page kickoff the conference by introducing President Barack Obama to the BlogHer attendees in the Grand Ballroom of the Hilton New York. As I sat with my digital sister Tracey Friley of One Brown Girl watching President Obama’s live video address, I thought about the many reasons I adore BlogHer and President Obama!  Guess what? The reasons are too many to name in this blog post. So I will leave you with a few photo collages I made with my smartphone’s Photogrid app and a link to the video of President Obama’s BlogHer 12 address: www.blogher.com/watch-now-president-obamas-video-address-blogher-12. Watch it when you get a chance! He rocked BlogHer!

President Obama addressing BlogHer 12 conference on 8.2.12
Ananda Leeke’s President Obama collage

Ananda Moderating Podcasting 101 Panel at BlogHer on August 3

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Happy August!

Photo Credit: BlogHer

I am headed to the BlogHer Conference to moderate the Podcasting 101 Panel on August 3 from 1:15 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Hilton New York in New York City. My co-panelists are Deborah Shane and Jasmin Singer, two amazing women who rock the web with their Internet radio and podcasting skills. Click here for more details.

Podcasting 101 Digital Treats:

I’ll be live tweeting throughout the conference. Follow me on Twitter @digitalsisterhd and on Cinch.fm for audio blog updates and interviews with conference participants. I will also post a few photos on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Ananda’s Whereabouts for July-October

Posted by on in Ananda's Writing Proces1 Comment
Ananda’s writing office — various Starbucks in DC, Maryland, and Virginia — Photo Credit: Kim Shults

Hi All,

It’s time for a digital diet break! In order to finish my Digital Sisterhood book for my publisher, I need to go offline and focus (will be spending more time at local Starbucks and my kitchen to write!).  My blog will be very quiet during July, August, September, and October.  I will post about my BlogHer adventures in August, Blogalicious experiences in September, and Digital Undivided moments in October.  I should be back in full force by November and definitely by December (for Digital Sisterhood Month).

A writer getting down to business

FYI – I will still post my weekly Obama tweets on my @anandaleeke Twitter account and Facebook posts to support President Obama’s campaign once or twice per week. Thanks to Hootsuite I will be able to schedule these posts in advance.  Also, you can read my weekly Digital Sisterhood Network blog posts featuring Digital Sister Leaders and follow the #DigitalSisterhood Wednesday tweets.

Enjoy your summer!

Internet Safety Month: June 28th Discussion with @TechSavvyMama Leticia Barr & “America’s Most Wanted” John Walsh

Posted by on in Ananda's Events, Internet, Internet SafetyLeave a comment
Hi Everyone!

Did you know National Internet Safety Month is observed in June?

This year the National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA), a non-profit public-private partnership focused on cybersecurity awareness and education for all digital citizens, launched a “STOP. THINK. CONNECT.” campaign to encourage Internet users to slow down, be mindful, and think about how they interact and communicate with others online. NCSA’s campaign also encourages adults to teach a young person about better online safety so that they use good judgment and behavior in their digital life.

When I first learned about NCSA’s “STOP. THINK. CONNECT.” campaign, I thought about the digital footprint of my fabulous and creative niece who is a digital native, a recent high school graduate, and a soon-to-be college “fresh-woman.” I wondered what she knew about being safe online and protecting her digital footprint. So I called and chatted with her about the importance of being safe online, making smart choices on what she posts online, and promoting a positive self-image in her digital life. I also told her that I would continue to check in with her throughout her college experience to make sure she is managing her digital activities in a responsible manner.

America’s Most Wanted chatting with women bloggers at Internet Safety Discussion
Cox Communications PR professional Stephanie Davis and me at Internet Safety Discussion

After my conversation with my niece, I decided to attend Cox Communications’ Internet Safety Discussion featuring America’s Most Wanted John Walsh and Leticia Barr, a family internet safety and security expert, social media consultant, and founder of TechSavvyMama.com (one of my favorite digital sisters — she is the green dress in the photos contained above) on June 28 at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. During the discussion, I learned several tips I plan to pass on to several friends with children (some are my nieces and nephews).

•95% of tweens use mobile devices. Only 20% parents enforce controls (we gotta do better).
•Parents should talk about Internet safety with their children as early as possible (good aunts should reinforce these teachings!)
•Caretakers (grandparents, aunts, uncles, babysitters etc) should know about and enforce the parents’ Internet safety rules when they are taking care of the children.
•The United States does not have a national standard for teaching online safety in schools (we need to advocate for one).
•Children are not immune from identity theft (we have to do a lot of educating with children on these matters).
•Parent should model what they want for their children when it comes to technology (so should extended family members who spend time with the children).
•Common Sense Media rates apps for age appropriateness (great tool for parents to use in helping children use technology responsibly): www.commonsensemedia.org.
To learn more about the discussion, go to Twitter and search for the hashtag #coxtakecharge.

Great moments at the Internet Safety Discussion
Kelly Heisler of Everywhere, Lifetime Moms National Accounts Manager, and Danica Kombol of Everywhere at Internet Safety Discussion

After the discussion, I attended a blogger reception and after-party sponsored by the Everywhere, a social media marketing firm based in Atlanta (one of my favorite firms to work with). Both events gave me an opportunity to:

•Congratulate Leticia @techsavvymama! She rocked the discussion and looked stunning in her Land’s End green dress and sandals!
•Reconnect with the Everywhere team Danica Kombol @danicakombol and Kelly Heisler @kellyheaisleratl.
•Take photos with America’s Most Wanted John Walsh @johnwalshamw.
•Chat with Stephanie Davis of Cox Communications @Cox_Comm.
•Meet and learn about digital sister bloggers including @Stimey, @Delora, Kellie Geres @dcnanny, Andrea Khoury @novahousewives, and Micaela @supernovamommy1 (and many more fabulous women!).
•Hang out with some of my favorite “Blogalicious” digital sisters such as Xina Eiland @xeiland, Thien Kim @thienkim, and Eva @socamomdc.

All in all I had a wonderful time learning, sharing, and connecting with new and old digital friends!

PS: How do you stay safe online? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.

Ananda’s Obama 2012 Campaign Volunteer Update #1

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Happy Summer!

It’s 100 degrees in Washington, D.C. today. It’s HOT like burning fire! Here’s the good news.  The weather matches how I feel inside. I am fired up about President Obama’s successful re-election campaign. I am totally in!!! Are you?

Photo Credit: WhiteHouse.gov

Here’s what happened to me this week. I had a chance to read President Obama’s commencement speech given on May 14 at Barnard College. The advice he gave to the graduates was exactly what I needed to read … inspiring and encouraging! See below.

“My first piece of advice is this: Don’t just get involved. Fight for your seat at the table. Better yet, fight for a seat at the head of the table… So don’t accept somebody else’s construction of the way things ought to be. It’s up to you to right wrongs. It’s up to you to point out injustice. It’s up to you to hold the system accountable and sometimes upend it entirely. It’s up to you to stand up and to be heard, to write and to lobby, to march, to organize, to vote. Don’t be content to just sit back and watch… Which brings me to my second piece of advice: Never underestimate the power of your example… My last piece of advice — this is simple, but perhaps most important: Persevere. Persevere. Nothing worthwhile is easy. No one of achievement has avoided failure — sometimes catastrophic failures. But they keep at it. They learn from mistakes. They don’t quit.”

Click here to read his entire speech. If you have 30 minutes, click here to watch a video of his speech on the White House YouTube Channel.

Photo Credit: Ananda Leeke’s HTC Smartphone (love my phone!)

President Obama’s advice reminded me of the reasons I decided to volunteer my time to actively support the his 2012 campaign. Last weekend I participated in voter outreach by engaging my neighbors in conversations about how to register to vote and support President Obama’s re-election campaign as I walked up and down the streets of my U Street neighborhood with a bright smile and an Obama/Biden button, sticker, and sign.

This weekend I am wearing that same smile with my pink Women for Obama t-shirt as I teach a kind and gentle yoga class in Malcolm X – Meridian Hill Park in Washington, D.C. on Sunday morning. If you are in the area, come out and join me. Click here for more details. At the end of the class, I will invite folks to show their gratitude by making a donation of their choice to the Obama 2012 campaign (online or by giving me a donation that I can submit online). If you are not able to attend the class, please visit BarackObama.com and make a donation.  Thanks in advance!

How are you supporting President Obama’s successful re-election campaign? Share your comments below.

Read Excerpt from Ananda’s Digital Sisterhood Memoir

Posted by on in Digital Sisterhood: Fierce Living Online for 25 YearsLeave a comment
Photo Credit: BeBlogalicious.com

Today BeBlogalicious.com posted an excerpt from my forthcoming memoir, Digital Sisterhood: Fierce Living Online for 25 Years (late fall 2012). My excerpt discusses how Blogalicious gave birth to my Digital Sisterhood bond with PR and communications professional Xina Eiland. Click here to read it.  Let me know what you think in the comment section below.

Photo Credit: Carol Cain @nycitymama

Get Ready for Ananda’s Monthly Yoga Class Fundraisers for OBAMA 2012 Campaign

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Photo Credit: Leigh Mosley wwwleighmosley.com

Calling all DC, Maryland, and Virginia folks!

Join me and my Kind and Gentle Yoga Meet Up Group for Sunday morning yoga from 9:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m on June 24, July 29, August 26, September 9, October 14, and November 4 in Malcolm X/Meridian Hill Park located at 16th Street and Florida Avenue, NW Streets in Washington, DC.  The U Street Metro on the Green Line is the closest subway stop. To stay updated on the class schedule, please click here to join the Meet Up Group (free to join). You can also find information about the classes on BarackObama.com’s event listiings.

The yoga class will take place by the reflecting pool (with ducks and flowers) and waterfall located near the Malcolm X/Meridian Hill Park entrance at 16th Street and Florida Avenue (at the bottom of the hill).

Photo Credit: BarackObama.com

The yoga class is offered free of charge with an invitation for class members to make a donation to President Barack H. Obama’s successful 2012 re-election campaign online through the donation button on BarackObama.com: https://contribute.barackobama.com/donation/index.html.  You can also make a donation offline by giving me your donation before or after the class. I will submit all yoga class donations online as a part of my OBAMA 2012 campaign fundraising efforts.

IMPORTANT NOTES:

  • PLEASE BRING YOUR OWN MAT. Mats are NOT provided.
  • Dress in comfortable clothes.
  • Try not to eat or drink 1 hour before the class.
  • If it rains, the group will not meet.
  • Email kiamshaleeke@yahoo.com if you have questions.
  • I will be wearing a pink OBAMA 2012 t-shirt at each class. See photo below.
Photo Credit: BarackObama.com

Using My Digital Voice to Support the Successful 2012 Re-Election of President Barack H. Obama

Posted by on in President Obama's 2012 Successful Re-Election CampaignLeave a comment
Photo Credit: BarackObama.com

Today is #DigitalSisterhood Wednesday on Twitter.  It’s a weekly celebration that I host to honor women in social media. It always energizes me and leaves me feeling proud to be a woman who uses her digital voice to honor, connect with, and build community with a diverse group of social media women. Many of these women keep me informed, inspired, and encouraged.

Photo Credit: BarackObama.com

Last week was a hard one. I had difficulty watching and reading the attacks against President Barack H. Obama. I took it personal. I let it all get to me. I started doubting my power to affirm and support the successful 2012 re-election of President Obama. My attitude shifted when I started reading the Twitterstream of Dr. Goddess and Zerlinda Maxwell on Saturday, June 9. They were live tweeting from the Netroots Nation annual conference.  One of Zerlinda’s tweets included a link to President Obama’s video message to the Netroots Nation attendees. Click here to watch it.

Photo Credit: BarackObama.com

After watching President Obama, I started to feel hopeful. My day got better when I went to run errands in my neighborhood and met two sistafriends who gave me a mouthful of reasons why they were stepping up their support for President Obama.  I came home and wrote my mission statement and a list of the ways I will support  President Obama’s successful re-election campaign.  See below.

My Mission Statement 

As a supporter of President Barack Obama, I choose to express my support by:

  • Sharing information and advocating Obama Administration policies and programs (especially the programs that support women and girls) with my fellow Americans;
  • Encouraging Americans to register to vote, to learn about President Obama’s successful policies and programs, and to invest financially in the Obama campaign; and
  • Investing in the Obama campaign financially each month to demonstrate my commitment to President Obama and to take ownership of the counrty I choose to live in as an American citizen.

Ways I Will Support President Obama    

  • Create a mini vision board in my vision board book that affirms President Obama’s re-election and review it daily to keep my mind focused on the positive. (DONE)
  • Dedicate my daily yoga and meditation practice to sending positive energy to President Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama, Obama family, Obama Administration, Obama 2012 Re-ElectionTeam, and people of the United States of America. (STARTED)
  • Invest in the Obama 2012 campaign on a regular basis by making a financial contribution each pay period. (WILL START THIS MONTH)
  • Use my summer and fall monthly yoga class as a fundraiser for the Obama 2012 Campaign. (WILL BEGIN ON JUNE 24)
  • Plan and host a local fundraiser for the Obama 2012 Campaign with one of my neighbors. (WILL BEGIN PLANNING IN JULY)
  • Stay updated on the White House Initiatives and Obama 2012 Re-Election Team’s efforts. (STARTED ON MONDAY)
  • Use my digital voice wisely to blog, post Facebook updates, and tweet about the great things the Obama Administration and 2012 Re-Election Team are doing each week. (STARTED TODAY)
  • Talk to people I meet about registering to vote and share the great things the Obama Administration has done to improve the United States since 2009.
  • Identify ways I can support the Obama 2012 Re-Election Team on the ground in the summer and fall. (STARTED ON MONDAY)
  • Talk to my father “J” about his digital activism in support of President Obama each week. Why? J stays on top of all things Obama.  He uses his Facebook, Twitter, and email accounts to keep his network informed about the Obama Administration’s great works. His positive attitude and unwavering commitment to President Obama keep me uplifted. (STARTED ON MONDAY).
Photo Credit: Official White House Photo by Pete Souza of President Barack Obama delivering remarks at the “White House Forum on Women and the Economy” in Eisenhower Executive Office Building, South Court Auditorium, April 6, 2012
Photo credit: WhiteHouse.gov

Check out my first week’s post about some of the great things President Obama and his team have done to improve the lives of women and girls. Most of my posts will focus on women and girls (so get ready!).

FYI — I read about the efforts on the WhiteHouse.gov’s Council on Women and Girls’ page. I also subscribed to the email updates. It makes it easier to stay updated (have been receiving them since the Council was created).

Photo Credit: BarackObama.com

If you are on TEAM OBAMA, how are you supporting President Obama’s 2012 re-election campaign? Share your comments below.