Join Me & My Dad, Dr. John F. Leeke, for Our September 18th Book Talk About American Change Agent in Alexandria, VA
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SIGN UP FOR NEW SEPTEMBER EVENTS; Thriving Mindfully Mondays: A Mindful Creativity Gathering to Help You Navigate Change During Uncertain Times
Join me on September 8, 15, 22, and 29 from 7:30 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. for a four-week virtual community gathering that offers safe space to ground yourself with a mindful moment and participate in a mindful creative activity (journaling, affirmation and letter writing, collage, drawing, coloring, or painting).
These sessions are offered as a gift with an invitation to make a donation to support my work.
Use the schedule below to gather your own writing and art-making supplies for each session.
1) September 8: Wear your favorite cozy clothing. Bring your favorite beverage and/or snack, pen, pencil, paper or journal to explore a reflection question.
You will create an intention and affirmation reminder, sign, page, or poster with an index card, journal page, or colorful construction or drawing paper. Bring your favorite crayons, pencils, or magic markers. Decorate it with drawings, doodles, or stickers.
2) September 15: Wear your favorite cozy clothing. Bring your favorite beverage and/or snack, pen, pencil, paper or journal to explore a reflection question.
You will write a letter to yourself or create a collage. Bring a picture of yourself as a child, a pen, and paper to write a letter to yourself.
Bring poster board, construction paper, drawing paper, a glue stick, scissors, your favorite magazines, crayons, pencils, and magic markers to create your collage.
3) September 22: Wear your favorite cozy clothing. Bring your favorite beverage and/or snack, pen, pencil, paper or journal to explore a reflection question.
You will create a drawing or painting. Bring white poster board or drawing paper, paint brush, watercolor or tempera paint set, crayons, pencils, and/or magic markers.
4) September 29: Wear your favorite cozy clothing. Bring your favorite beverage and/or snack, pen, pencil, paper or journal to explore writing prompts.
YOUR SPECIAL VIDEO INVITATION: Book Launch for American Change Agent on July 13th at 2-4 p.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Largo, MD
Today, my dad and co-author, Dr. John Leeke and I recorded a special video invitation for you! Click the video below to watch the video.
Join us for the launch of our book, American Change Agent: A Life & Legacy of Seeking Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion on Sunday, July 13th from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 2020 St. Joseph’s Drive, Largo, Maryland.
Get ready for a father-daughter fireside chat about the book and writing journey. You’ll have an opportunity to participate in a question and answer period, mingle with other book lovers, buy copies of the book ($20 each), and have it signed by the authors.
Click the button below to RSVP via Eventbrite.
Celebrate New Book, American Change Agent by Dr. John F. Leeke & Ananda Leeke on July 13
Happy July!
My father, Dr. John F. Leeke and I wrote and published his memoir, American Change Agent: A Life & Legacy of Seeking Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion.
American Change Agent tells the rich, inspiring journey of Dr. Leeke, a descendant of the Akan people of Ghana, the Yoruba people of Nigeria, Indigenous Turtle Island nations, European settlers, and freedom seekers who escaped slavery in Hagerstown, Maryland. This collection of stories spans 85 years of his life, showcasing his family, career, and dedication to diversity, equality, and inclusion.
Join my dad, “Dr. John” and me for our book launch on Sunday, July 13th from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 2020 St. Joseph’s Drive, Largo, Maryland. CLICK THE BUTON BELOW TO RSVP.
Get ready for a father-daughter fireside chat about the book and writing journey. You’ll have an opportunity to participate in a question and answer period, mingle with other book lovers, buy copies of the book ($20 each), and have it signed by the authors.
Reflections on My Father
In honor of Father’s Day (which is every day), I am sharing an excerpt from American Change Agent, the book my dad, Dr. John F. Leeke, wrote about his life and work in diversity, equality, and inclusion. This excerpt is from Chapter 21: Our Father’s Journey: How My Children See Me (pages 428-429).
Copyright 2025 by John F. Leeke and Madelyn C. Leeke
Before former Los Angeles Laker Kobe Bryant coined the phrase “girl dad” and it went viral as a hashtag on social media after ESPN anchor Elle Duncan shared a memory of her conversation with him during a tribute to his life in 2020, my father lived and breathed it. For those who don’t know, a girl dad is a father who wants his daughter to be treated equally. That means he wants her to have the same rights, opportunities, and privileges as any boy. For as long as I can remember, my father has shown me a fierce love wrapped in an endless bow of support and freedom of expression. His personal investment in my well-being as a child, teenager, young adult, and now as of this writing a 59-year-old woman is beyond words. He and my mother taught me I could be and do anything in the world because it was mine.
There are moments I can remember when he showed up in my defense as only as a girl dad could. Like the time, he met with the two nuns at my all-girls Catholic high school and told them in his loud Black man voice that they were racist due to their mistreatment of me and the other members of the Awareness Black Culture Club. He has believed in me when I couldn’t, especially during the eight times I took and failed the bar exam and each time I have written and published a book. He has even helped me write parts of my books over the telephone when I was running out of creative energy and patience. He has listened to me in my craziest moments and advised me before and after I have taken several risks in my career.
Ours is a rich, layered, and intense relationship that has allowed me to explore and express myself; experiment with my life, career, and creativity; and passionately pursue my healing and wholeness with confidence, freedom, and a safety net that he will always be in my corner no matter what. Being Dr. John F. Leeke’s daughter has given me the honor of sitting in the front row of his life as a digital senior citizen activist, blogger, podcaster, storyteller, and author. As time moves us forward, our relationship is blessing me and my brothers with perhaps the greatest honor: supporting my father as he walks the path of a wise person in his aging process. What a gift to behold!
WATCH ASK DR. JOHN, A FATHER-DAUGHTER CONVERSATION VIDEO SERIES
The video features a discussion my dad and I had about fatherhood.
ABOUT BOOK
American Change Agent: A Life & Legacy of Seeking Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion is a memoir written by Dr. John F. Leeke with his daughter Ananda Kiamsha Madelyn Leeke. It tells the rich, inspiring journey of Dr. Leeke, a descendant of the Akan people of Ghana, the Yoruba people of Nigeria, Indigenous Turtle Island nations, European settlers, and freedom seekers who escaped slavery in Hagerstown, Maryland. This collection of stories spans 85 years of his life, showcasing his family, career, and dedication to diversity, equality, and inclusion.
Explore Dr. Leeke’s early years in Indianapolis and Terre Haute, Indiana, his Catholic education in Washington, DC, and his academic pursuits at Indiana State Teachers College. Follow his career as a teacher and guidance counselor in Flint, Michigan, his graduate studies at the University of Michigan, and his impactful work in community organizing and organizational development.
Learn how Dr. Leeke’s leaps of faith in various roles, including his tenure at the National Education Association and his entrepreneurial ventures, solidified his commitment to diversity, equality, and inclusion. His reflections on six decades of diversity, equality, and inclusion work reveal the institutional changes he championed and his ongoing influence in retirement through church involvement, civic engagement, and online activism.
Dr. Leeke’s stories are an invitation to reflect on your own journey, embrace humanity’s diversity, and become a change agent in your community.
Buy Book & Get Copies for Family, Friends, Neighbors & Colleagues
When you purchase the book from IngramSpark, we earn more profit on each sale as self-published authors. Please support our effort!
Listen & Learn to Embrace Thriving Mindfully and Navigate Change with 5 Heart-Centered Core Commitments
Hey there!
Since it’s National Poetry Month, I thought you might like to tune into my “Thriving Mindfully” spoken word poem produced by Garnet Jackson, founder of Footprint Productions. It leads you through the five core commitments you can use to be present, well, and the REAL YOU as you navigate CHANGE no matter what’s happening in your life, relationships, and career.
Your Friday Night Special Invitation
Join Avant-Dharma and Thriving Mindfully Academy for Meet Yourself Where You Are in the Moment on Friday, April 25th at 6:30-7:30 PM PAC/9:30-10:30 EST.
REGISTER HERE: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/9rth4CIKTU6kSayMMcUThQ#/registration
Meet Yourself Where You Are in the Moment is an invitation to co-create contemplative community and conversation that offer space to show up as you are with mindful awareness, community, and practices in the midst of personal and societal madness, messiness, mystery, and the mundane.
The sessions are offered on a dana basis (donation) and led by me and Thomas Davis IV founder of Avant-Dharma.
Final Thoughts
Take a deep breath and a few seconds to let me know how you are doing by leaving a comment below, sending an email (ananda@anandaleeke.com).
May you and your loved ones be happy, healthy, and free from inner and outer harm as you navigate daily changes in your life, relationship, and career.
Love, Ease, Grace, Joy, Peace, Wisdom, Creativity, and Abundance,
Ananda
P.S.: I’m taking new coaching clients! Set up a free 30-minute call to explore how we can work together. Learn more here: https://anandaleeke.com
Ready to Explore Your Human Design with A Reading? Learn How We Can Work Together. Get more information here: https://anandaleeke.com/humandesign
Pause 2025 Madness & Messiness with Mindfulness
All week long I’ve been thinking about the ways I’ve been able to sustain myself since the year began. Those ways have become known as my SUSTENANCE PRACTICES. They include:
-Choosing to practice mindfulness each day;
-Making sure my home offers sacred space to be kind and gentle with myself;
-Using creativity to explore and express emotions and thoughts; and
=Spending time with like-minded people in a safe community.
How are you sustaining yourself?
What are some of your favorite SUSTENANCE PRACTICES?
If you’re looking for some tips on how to sustain yourself, watch my short silent film on present moment acceptance.
YOUR SPECIAL FRIDAY NIGHT INVITATION
Join Avant-Dharma and Thriving Mindfully Academy for Meet Yourself Where You Are in the Moment on Friday, April 11th and April 25th at 6:30-7:30 PM PAC/9:30-10:30 EST. Click the buttons below to register.
Meet Yourself Where You Are in the Moment is an invitation to co-create contemplative community and conversation that offer space to show up as you are with mindful awareness, community, and practices in the midst of personal and societal madness, messiness, mystery, and the mundane.
The sessions are offered on a dana basis (donation) and led by me and Thomas Davis IV, founder of Avant-Dharma.
Sign Up for Meet Yourself Where You Are in the Moment Sessions on April 11 and 24
Happy Spring! Happy April!
Join Avant-Dharma and Thriving Mindfully Academy for Meet Yourself Where You Are in the Moment on Friday, April 11th and April 25th at 6:30-7:30 PM PAC/9:30-10:30 EST. Click the buttons below to register.
Meet Yourself Where You Are in the Moment is an invitation to co-create contemplative community and conversation that offer space to show up as you are with mindful awareness, community, and practices in the midst of personal and societal madness, messiness, mystery, and the mundane.
The sessions are offered on a dana basis (donation) and led by me and Thomas Davis IV, founder of Avant-Dharma.
Thriving Mindfully As I Age with Awareness + Grace + Ease
Aging has always been something I embraced. Perhaps, it’s because I’ve always looked younger than what my birth certificate and driver’s license say. I also think the wisdom of my sheroes like Dr. Maya Angelou have provided an understanding that I get to CHOOSE how I relate to aging.
Dr. Angelou’s words remind me that aging is a privilege I get to experience each day that I move towards 60: “I love living. I love that I’m alive to love my age. There are many people who went to bed just as I did yesterday evening and didn’t wake this morning. I love and feel very blessed that I did.”
In June, I started recording videos to share my reflections about turning 60 (actually happens in December). My reflections feature the life lessons I have learned since I started practicing Thriving Mindfully in 1992. Thriving Mindfully is a heart-centered approach I developed that is rooted in being present, well, and the REAL YOU as you navigate CHANGE.
So far, I have recorded 15 videos in a YouTube series entitled, Thriving Mindfully – 6 Months to 60. Each of these videos and the ones that will be shared in the coming weeks reflect my intention to age with AWARENESS, GRACE, and EASE. They also include aspects of the five Thriving Mindfully core commitments. They include:
1) Slow Your Living (mindfulness)
2) Sustain Your Living (self-care)
3) Share Your Living (mindful communication with yourself, others, and society
4) Serve Through Your Living (making an impact with your gifts, talents, expertise, and experience)
5) Savor Your Living (gratitude and self-celebration)
Watch a sample of the videos below and discover some of the lessons I have learned on the road to becoming a 60 year old wise woman in December 2024.
Click the buttons below to subscribe to my YouTube Channel and bookmark the Thriving Mindfully – 6 Months to 60 playlist.
ONWARD
Hey there!
I am 30 days away from my 60th birthday. Yesterday, I decided to step right into my 60th year with a mantra and intention that focuses on ONWARD. ONWARD is defined as “a continuing forward direction.”
Are you exploring the direction you will take as you move into the final weeks of 2024 and start 2025?
Ananda Leeke 