I am really excited to share that I will be giving a talk on social media leadership at the BlogHer conference on July 26. What Type of Social Media Leader Are You? is the title of my presentation. The presentation will give me an opportunity to share my thoughts on social media women’s leadership and to introduce the Digital Sisterhood Leadership Project to a larger audience. I am so grateful to the BlogHer team for giving me a platform to share my leadership thoughts and work.
The BlogHer 13′ conference will mark my fifth year of participation. BLOGHER-WOW! It’s gonna rock! So get ready Chicago!
Jennifer Lee’s book, The Right-Brain Business Planhas been so powerful in my life. Goddess Leonie is someone I have admired for years. I met Jennifer and Leonie while reading the Pink Heels blog and web site (no longer in existence) created by Jennifer Moore. I also connected with them through Jamie Ridler’s Next Chapter Book Blogging Group. Leonie is a true inspiration!
Ananda’s Creativity Folder
The Telejam Series is helping me stay focused and on track with my intention to live dharma happiness. My intention guides my fierce living commitments to healthy eating and cooking, regular fitness (biking, running, walking, weight training, and taking a weekly yoga class at Tranquil Space or Embrace DC), making time each day for meditation/Reiki/yoga, getting sufficient rest and sleep each day, having fun and laughing daily, dancing, maintaining my home as a creative/loving/healing sanctuary, spending time with family and friends weekly, enjoying/expressing my creativity, participating in my spiritual communities on a monthly basis, and finishing the publisher’s edits for my Digital Sisterhood memoir and having the book published this winter with EASE, GRACE, JOY, and PEACE!
Tracy Lee Jones is a Life Coach, Mentor to Emerging Entrepreneurs, and Founder & Chief Inspiration Officer of The Feminine Business Model. Tracy launched The Feminine Business Model’s Global Telejam Series to help women make motivation a habit. Her series includes 21 days of awe-inspiring videos from women all around the world. It’s free too! So sign up ladies: http://thefemininebusinessmodel.com. It is a great investment in YOU, your most precious asset!
Five years ago I launched my web site for my debut novel, Love’s Troubadours – Karma: Book One(2007). Last year, I realized the site needed a makeover. Click here to check out the new look (very simple compared to the old site). Let me know what you think. And be sure to read the book summary below.
Book Summary:
Love’s Troubadours – Karma: Book One tells the story of Karma Francois, a thirtysomething Oakland-born BoHo B.A.P. (Bohemian Black American Princess) with Louisiana roots and urban debutante flair. The novel begins with Karma’s life in an uproar. Her relationships and the museum curator career that she struggled to form in New York City have crumbled, leaving no viable options to rebuild. Relocating to Washington, DC, Karma struggles with denial, depression, and debt. A lack of full-time employment opportunities forces her to craft a gypsy existence as a Jill of Many Trades:
yoga teacher, art consultant, and freelance curator at Howard University Gallery
of Art. Unable and unwilling to appreciate these jobs as gifts, she wallows in a
pool of lost identity-and doesn’t see a way to keep from drowning. When she looks in the mirror, Karma sees a woman whose choices have dishonored her true character. Now, for the first time in her life, Karma must learn to see herself for who she really
is. To purchase a copy on Amazon.com, click here.
Happy New Year! Happy January 2013! Happy Creativity Friday!
How has your new year been so far? What’s been bubbling up in your world this month?
My month has been so much fun! I gave myself the gift of regular yoga classes at Tranquil Space and have been taking time to slow myself down and breathe in the beauty of each day!
I also found a groovy new coffee and crepes cafe to hang out in. It’s called Coffy Shop. My creative digital sister Jessica Solomon introduced me to the place. I love it because it’s based on Pam Grier’s 1970s movies. She’s one my favorite actresses! See photos below. Click here for more photos.
Coffy Cafe in Columbia Heights in DCAnanda at Coffy Cafe
Last week, I had a ball at the Inauguration events. Check out one of my photos from the “To Sir With Love” Inauguration Ball for Creatives below. Click here to see more photos.
Ananda at “To Sir with Love” Inauguration Ball for Creatives in DC
Right here and right now I am taking a few moments to pause and look outside of my window. Why? It’s snowing. It’s the wet kind of snow. I wish this D.C. snow was the Michigan stick to the ground, make a snowman kind of snow I was born into so many years ago. I wanna walk in it … Be zen-like with my Starbucks apple cider as I walk down U Street or up 16th Street to Malcolm X-Meridian Hill Park, breathing in the fresh morning air. But that’s not happening. So I decided to write this blog post to share some of my creativity thoughts I’ve been spreading around the digital world via Facebook, Google Plus, LinkedIn, Pinterest, and Twitter.
A fabulous creative manifesto of sorts
This morning, I woke up feeling very creative. So I named today Creativity Friday. Have you ever had a day like that?
After proclaiming it Creativity Friday, I launched my creative inspiration and content sharing efforts with the help of HootSuite (my dear scheduling tool that allows me to post content and messages minutes, hours, days, and months in advance).
So here’s what I shared.
1) Inspirational Quotes
“There’s room for everybody on the planet to be creative and conscious if you are your own person. Tori Amos, Pop Rock Singer (WISDOM and TRUTH)
“Creativity takes courage.” Henri Matisse (been needing courage these days to make the changes my publisher iUniverse recommended for my book, Digital Sisterhood — been dragging my feet in a silent protest…. Note to self: Time to get back on track and finish the book).
“Clean out a corner of your mind and creativity will instantly fill it.” Dee Hock (SO TRUE – cleaning your home helps too — I just finished my two year decluttering project thanks to my amazing life coach Yael!)
“Be brave enough to live life creatively. The creative place where no one else has ever been.” Alan Alda, actor (Taking this with me into February!)
“Because you’ll find that when you’re free, your true creativity, your true self comes out.” Tina Turner, Singer (let the creative church say AMEN!)
PS: Next week, I will share news about my 2012 favorite moments, more updates on my January yoga/creativity/Internet geek adventures, and lifestyle blog on Tumblr — Ananda@16thandU: Lifestylista in Love with DC!
This year Digital Sisterhood Network (DSN) is hosting the third annual celebration of Digital Sisterhood Month from December 1 to December 31, 2012. “Creativity + Great Health = Fierce Living Women” is the theme. Online events featuring the announcement of the Digital Sisters of the Year, Digital Sisterhood Leader profiles, giveaways, guest blog posts, Digital Sisterhood Radio interviews, and Twitter chats will be held. Offline events will be held in Washington, D.C. and New York City. See the schedule below. Additional online events including Digital Sisterhood Radio interviews will be added by November 30.
FYI – Feel free to post the badges and use it on your blog, web site, or social media sites. They were created by Dariela Cruz of Dari Design Studio.
1) December 1: DC Field Trip – TEDxAdamsMorganWomen, 1:00-6:00 p.m.
Location: Sitar Arts Center, 1700 Kalorama Road, NW, #101, Washington, DC (in Adams Morgan)
Instructions: Click here to register and purchase a $35 ticket on Eventbrite (deadline is November 23).
Event Description: TEDxAdamsMorganWomen is sponsoring ‘The Space Between,” a half-day presentation of dynamic speakers who will focus on how to move past dichotomous thinking and see the gray area in between. The speakers include: Nicole C. Lee, the first female President of TransAfrica; Karen Dolan, Fellow at Institute for Policy Studies; Kethia Clairvoyant, Founder at Fit for Life by KC; Shonali Burke, Vice President, Digital Media & Marketing at MSL Group; David Deal, CEO at Community IT Innovators; Nicolette Pizzitola, CEO at Compass Point Associates LLC; and George Koch, Founder and Chair Emeritus Artomatic, Inc.
NOTE: Ananda Leeke, Digital Sisterhood Network founder, will attend the event from 2:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Location: Boutiques on U Street between 15th and 16th U Streets, NW in Washington, DC
Instructions: Click here to register on Eventbrite. Follow @breaellis and @digitalsisterhd and use the #dsflashmob hashtag on Twitter for event updates.
Event Description: Come celebrate Digital Sisterhood Month on December 2, 2012, from 1:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m with a “Fierce Living in Fashion” event that takes you on a “15 Minute Flash Mob” tour of U Street’s amazing boutiques and vintage shops located between 15th and 16th Streets, NW, Washington, D.C. All you need are $15 or more and comfortable walking shoes. The tour will be led by Brea Ellis, a fourth generation Washingtonian and the founder of What I Wore: tip to toe, a personal style blog. Digital Sisterhood Network founder Ananda Leeke, a U Street resident, will also serve as a tour guide. The “15 Minute Flash Mob” tour will begin with a meet and greet at a local cafe on U Street. Group members will be responsible for purchasing their own beverages and snacks. After the meet and greet, the group will visit the boutiques and shops. Group members will be asked to spend at least $15 during the tour so that local businesses receive financial support. Also, the group will spend 15 minutes in each boutique or shop. Please note group members will be able to spend more time in the various boutiques and shops. The tour will end with a wrap up get-together at a local cafe on U Street (group members will purchase their own beverages and snacks).
3) December 5: Tech Women’s Creativity Twitter Chat, 9:00-10:00 p.m. ET
Guest Speaker: Sian Morson, Entrepreneur, Founder of Kollective Mobile, Mobile Evangelist, Writer, and Video Artist
4) December 7: DC Yoga Field Trip to Embrace DC to Shawna Renee’s Embrace Flow Class (for all levels), 6:15-7:15 p.m.
Field Trip Location: Embrace DC, 1650 Columbia Road, NW, 2nd Floor, Washington, DC – 202.525.1083 (located in Adams Morgan – several blocks from Columbia Heights Metro Station on Green/Yellow Line)
Admission Fee for Regular Students: $17
Admission Fee for New Students: $20
Instructions: You must REGISTER ONLINE and PAY in advance for the yoga classes at the studios: http://embracedc.com/classes/class-schedule. Availability is based on a first come, first serve basis. Digital Sisterhood Network did NOT make any special arrangements or secure any discounts for the yoga classes. Ananda Leeke, Digital Sisterhood Network founder, will attend the yoga class. She’ll be wearing a Digital Sisterhood t-shirt.
Event Location: Tenley-Friendship DC Public Library, 4450 Wisconsin Avenue, NW, Large Meeting Room #10, Washington, DC (located across the street from the Tenleytown/American University Metro Station on the Red Line)
Instructions: Click here to register on Eventbrite. Follow @breaellis and @digitalsisterhd and use the #dsstylesalon hashtag on Twitter for event updates.
Event Description: Calling fashion and style bloggers, designers, enthusiasts, and professionals! Come celebrate Digital Sisterhood Month with a Salon Series on “DC Style: Past, Present, and Future.” It will feature a discussion on DC style during the past 30 years, a fashion and style blogger town hall on the present trends in DC style, and a conversation with DC designers on the future of DC style.
6) December 9: DC Museum Field Trip to the National Museum for Women in the Arts, 3:30-5:00 p.m.
Field Trip Location: 1250 New York Avenue, NW, Washington, DC (two blocks from the 13th Street exit at Metro Center on Blue, Orange, and Red Line)
Admission Fee: $10
About Exhibition (text taken from NMWA web site): Women Who Rock: Vision, Passion, and Power” exhibition is a provocative exhibition that illustrates the importance of women in the world of popular music from the 1920s to present day. It highlights the flashpoints, the firsts, the best, and the celebrated and sometimes lesser-known women whose artistry advanced the progress of rock-and-roll music. Featuring more than 250 artifacts and performance videos, the exhibition moves through rock-and-roll eras, demonstrating how women have been engines of creation and change.
Instructions: The group will meet at the information desk at 3:30 p.m. and will go to the exhibition at 3:40 p.m. Ananda Leeke, Digital Sisterhood Network founder, will serve as the event hostess. Everyone is responsible for purchasing their admission ticket.
Event Description: Calling all DC area women writers! Join Digital Sisterhood Network for a DC area women writers meet up group. Please bring a copy of your book or a favorite book that you would like to swap with another writer. We will also discuss our writing journeys and upcoming events. Ananda Leeke, Digital Sisterhood Network founder, will serve as the event hostess. Everyone is responsible for purchasing their own beverage and meal. The group will meet on the second level. Be sure to visit SheWrites.com, an online community of women writers.
9) December 14: NYC Drop By and Chat Meet Up at Argo Tea, 4:00-6:30 p.m.
Meet Up Location: Argo Tea, 275 Seventh Avenue (located at Seventh Avenue and W. 26th Street), New York, NY
Event Description: Calling all NYC area digital sisters! Drop by and chat with Ananda Leeke, Digital Sisterhood Network founder at Argo Tea. It’s informal. There’s no need to make an appointment. Just come on by and chat about what you are working on, any lessons learned from 2012, and plans for 2013. Everyone is responsible for purchasing their beverages and snacks.
10) December 15: NYC Field Trip to the Brooklyn Museum, 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. (followed by a lite snack in Museum Cafe)
Field Trip Location: Brooklyn Museum, 200 Eastern Parkway, Brooklyn, NY
Admission Fee: $12
Event Description: The group will meet between 11:30-11:40 a.m. in front of the Mickalene Thomas: Origin of the Universe exhibition on the fourth floor in the Morris A. and Meyer Schapiro Wing of the Brooklyn Museum. Ananda Leeke, Digital Sisterhood Network founder, will serve as the event hostess. Everyone is responsible for purchasing their admission ticket and any beverages or snacks in the Museum Cafe.
About Exhibition (from the Brooklyn Museum web site): Brooklyn artist Mickalene Thomas is best known for her elaborate, collage-inspired paintings, embellished with rhinestones, enamel, and colorful acrylics. Her depictions of African American women explore a spectrum of black female beauty and sexual identity while constructing images of femininity and power. Origin of the Universe, Thomas’s first solo museum exhibition, highlights recent bodies of work that examine interior and exterior environments in relation to the female figure. Their settings are often inspired by her 1970s childhood.
11) December 17: DC Yoga Field Trip to Tranquil Space for Kimberly Wilson’s Yoga & Meditation Class, 8:00 p.m. 9:15 p.m.
Field Trip Location: 1632 17th Street, NW, Washington, DC – 202.328.9642 (located several blocks from Dupont Circle Metro Station on Red Line)
Admission Fee: $19
Instructions: You must REGISTER ONLINE and PAY in advance for the yoga classes at the studios:http://www.tranquilspace.com/yoga/schedule.html. Availability is based on a first come, first serve basis. Digital Sisterhood Network did NOT make any special arrangements or secure any discounts for the yoga classes. Ananda Leeke, Digital Sisterhood Network founder, will attend the yoga class. She’ll be wearing a Digital Sisterhood t-shirt.
12) December 19: Using Creative Ways to Make Fitness and Healthy Eating Fun Twitter Chat, 9:00-10:00 p.m. ET
13) December 20: “Sweet Treats: Coffee, Tea and Dessert” Meet Up for Women Bloggers and Social Media Influencers at the Mediterranean Spot, 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Meet Up Location: Mediterranean Spot, 1501 U Street, NW, Washington, DC – 202.232.7108 (located at the corner of 15th and U across the street from Cake Love; two blocks from the U Street/Cardozo Metro Station on the Green/Yellow Line)
Event Description: Ananda Leeke, Digital Sisterhood Network founder, will host an open discussion with women in social media and tech on how to use the power of creativity in their digital experiences, interactions, and work. Everyone is responsible for purchasing their beverages and snacks. Beverages (coffee, tea, hot chocolate, chai, apple cider, lattes, frappuccinos, smoothies, sodas, juices and bottled water) cost $1.00 to $4.50. Desserts (cakes, pies, brownies, baklava, muffins, cookies, and croissants) cost $1.99 to $3.99.
13) December 26: Fierce Living Women’s Commitments for 2013 Twitter Chat, 9:00-10:00 p.m. ET
Today, I thought I would share my reasons for voting for President Obama as a part of my work with the #BlogforObama community of women bloggers. I’ll start with a story about my 2012 election inspiration: my parents, Theresa and John Leeke. They are actively engaged over 70, cyber-citizens who use their social media platforms to do exactly what Morra Aarons-Mele wrote about in her recent Huffington Post article, “Each One Reach One; Social Media GOTV:
“Turns out, we can use our social media networks to influence friends and followers to vote.”
President Barack Obama
Their Facebook posts are passionately written to inform their families, friends, and colleagues about President Barack Obama’s 2012 campaign. They also share information about the many ways Governor Romney has mispresented himself and his campaign. They post daily and weekly.
Dr. John Leeke (middle with t-shirt) volunteering at PG County, MD Obama campaign office
My father took his social media support for President Obama to a higher level when he started using his Twitter account and Tumblr blog to advocate on behalf of the Obama 2012 campaign. He also upped his on-the-ground volunteering game by traveling to Virginia several times to knock on doors with his fellow Prince George’s County, Maryland residents.
Dr. John Leeke leading a bus chat for Obama 2012 campaign effort in Virginia
When I was getting discouraged in June, my parents told me to invest 200 percent in the Obama 2012 campaign. So I jumped in with weekly blog posts, Facebook status updates, and tweets. I also volunteered for the D.C. Obama team and with my father at several local phone canvasing events in P.G. County, Maryland. My monthly Yoga for Obama fundraiser classes in Malcolm X-Meridian Hill Park gave me a chance to share my love of yoga and the Obama campaign. Contributing financially to the campaign via BarackObama.com helped me own a piece of the Obama 2012 rock. Seeing President Obama’s live web cast at BlogHer this summer was energizing. Joining the #BlogforObama community of women bloggers and live tweeting during the debates in September and October allowed me to add my support to the voices of women online.
Me and digital sister Tracey Friley at BlogHer’s live web cast with President ObamaDr. John Leeke volunteering at PG County, MD Obama campaign officeMe volunteering at PG County Obama Campaign Office#BlogforObama CampaignMe canvasing for Obama 2012 campaign on U Street in DC
Today, I got up early and had my own personal Yoga for Obama yoga session at home before heading out to Starbucks for a hot chocolate and a 10-minute walk to my voting center. As I walked to the center, I thought about the many reasons I support President Obama.
President Obama at Barnard CollegeObama Women for HealthcareObama buttons
Here’s a short list of the some of my reasons.
1) My President knows women’s rights are ESSENTIAL and IMPORTANT.
2) My President has been working since he entered the White House in 2009 to make America better with programs and funding that support education, healthcare, jobs, and the list goes on and on.
3) My President is committed to building a stronger economy.
4) My President supports military families and has ended the war in Iraq.
5) My President makes all of his administration’s policies and activities available online.
6) My President CARES about all Americans.
7) My President knows America must invest in her youth, education programs, job training programs, technology, and the list goes on and on.
Voting sign from DCPeople in DC getting ready to vote todayMe smiling after I voted for President Obama this morning
What are your reasons for voting for President Obama?
How will you celebrate his victory today?
What are you going to do to support him in his next administration beginning on November 7?
UPDATE: SO HAPPY POTUS Obama won the election and has a second term.
Today is the perfect day to share photos from the Blogalicious12 Weekend Conference that I attended on September 28-30 at the Red Rock Spa in Las Vegas. The entire conference was filled with Digital Sisterhood moments galore! I have included photos of some of my favorite moments and links to my Flickr photo sets. Enjoy!
PS: I will share more #Blogalicious12 updates later this month.
Blogalicious Lunch on Day 1Blogalicious Community Jam Session (Ananda on panel) – Photo Credit: Yolanda ArringtonBlogalicious Shop Your Way Fashionista Tea on Day 1Blogalicious McDonald’s Reception on Day #1Hanging at the P&G Connect Suite on Day 3 of BlogaliciousBlogalicious Lunch featuring Harriette Cole on Day 3
A few days ago I was in Las Vegas attending the Blogalicious Weekend Conference. During one of my breaks, I checked my email and read a message from my digital sister, Chrysula Winegar, that invited me to participate in Women Online’s Social Media Sprint Campaign. When I visited the Women Online (WO) web site to research the campaign, I learned WO is a boutique digital public relations and marketing firm founded by Morra Aarons-Mele, an Internet marketing professional who established The Mission List and served as the founding Political Director for BlogHer.com. After digesting this information, my response to Chrysula’s invitation was YES…YES… YES!!!!! So I joined the group of amazing women bloggers and top social media voices in a “social media sprint” to Election Day (#blogforobama).
Photo Credit: BarackObama.com
So why join? I think President Obama is the only Presidential candidate who represents my interests as a woman. Since June, I have actively participated in the Obama 2012 campaign by:
Using my social media platforms to promote the campaign each week.
Photo Credit: Ananda canvasing in her U Street neighborhood in DCPhoto Credit: Ananda volunteering at Obama phone bankPhoto Credit: Ananda volunteering at Obama phone bankPresident Obama speaking at BlogHer 12 ConferencePhoto Credit: Leigh Mosley wwwleighmosley.comPhoto Credit: BarackObama.com
Today, I participated in WO’s first conference call and learned more about the role I will be playing in the Social Media Sprint Campaign. I also learned my digital sisters, Stacey Ferguson, BeBlogalicious.com co-founder and chief curator, and Xina Eiland, President of The Eiland Group and BeBlogalicious.com publicist, are also participating in the campaign. What great company I am in!
From now and until November 7 (the day after the Presidential Election), you will see me online a little more. For example, I will tweet during the Presidential Debate on October 3. Later this week, I will share more information from the Social Media Sprint Campaign. So look out for my tweets and posts on Facebook, Google+, and Pinterest.
Enjoy your day and remember to register to vote, get your ID, help others register or obtain their IDs, vote early (if you can), and vote for President Obama!
This week is gonna be fabulous! Why? It’s time for the annual Blogalicious Weekend Conference.
More great news … Digital Sisterhood Network (DSN) is serving as a Blogalicious media sponsor. Also, I am speaking at the Blog Community Jam Session on September 28 at 2:00 p.m.
Ananda Leeke 