Thriving Mindfully as the Real You!
Happy #InternetGeek Tuesday!
I love taking selfies with other people. Today I took one with President Barack Obama during the White House (#whsocial) Tumblr Q&A session on education, college affordability, and student loan debt reduction.
What are some of your unforgettable selfies?
PS: I’ll post a blog recap about my #whsocial visit later this week.
Happy #FierceLiving Friday!
Today I have been reflecting on the words of the late South African President Nelson Mandela (see above) and President Barack Obama (see below).
“You can choose a future where more Americans have the chance to gain the skills they need to compete, no matter how old they are or how much money they have. Education was the gateway to opportunity for me. It was the gateway for Michelle. And now more than ever, it is the gateway to a middle-class life.”
Their wise words remind me how grateful I am to my parents and my ancestors for blessing me with the opportunity to receive as much education as I desired. The education I received as a student at Kenmoor Elementary School, Kenmoor Junior High School, Elizabeth Seton High School, Morgan State University, Howard University School of Law, and Georgetown University Law Center became my gateway for pursuing a diverse career path as a lawyer, investment banker, knowledge manager, business consultant, artist, author, nonprofit senior program officer, yoga teacher, Reiki practitioner, and digital communications professional. My education was a gateway to #FierceLiving … being too bold for boundaries.
I was truly blessed to receive financial support from my parents for my primary, high school, college, and law school education. I used a student loan to pay for my graduate law degree at Georgetown and spent several years paying off the debt. Those were lean years for me. Nowadays students are faced with enormous debt. College affordability is a huge challenge. These two factors create barriers for people to obtain a higher education.
Education, college affordability, and reducing student loan debt are three areas I am passionate about supporting online and offline. My passion is rooted in who I am as a daughter of two educators and an aunt to a niece in college with student loan debt and nephews in elementary school who will most likely face student loan debt. They are the reasons I applied to participate in the White House (#WHSocial) Tumblr Social on June 10 where President Obama will engage with Tumblr followers in his first-ever Tumblr Question and Answer session on education, college affordability, and reducing student loan debt. Tumblr CEO David Karp will moderate the session.
Guess what happened this afternoon?
The White House selected me to participate as social media leader in the #WHSocial. So be sure to follow me on my Tumblr blog and as @anandaleeke on Instagram and Twitter next Tuesday starting at 3:30 p.m.
Happy Internet Geek Tuesday!
Today I am sharing a Digital Citizenship (#DigCitizen) Project profile featuring Matt Potts, a social media leader, I met while attending the White House Social (#WHSocial) for the French Arrival Ceremony for French President Francois Hollande in February.
Meet Matt Potts
1) Tell us who you are.
I’m a fifth-year student of Architecture at Pratt Institute. I’m graduating this month. I live in Brooklyn, New York and was raised just outside of Philadelphia in South Jersey. To stay updated on my social media adventures, follow me on Instagram and Twitter.
2) Why did you apply to participate in the #WHSocial?
I have always been a supporter of the President and have held an interest and passion for politics my whole life. As an architect and musician, I found the Arrival Ceremony to be a fascinating confluence of diplomacy, architecture, and theater.
3) Share the key moments you experienced while participating in the #WHSocial.
My key moments included:
4) What social media tools did you use to support your participation in the #WHSocial?
I primarily used Instagram and Twitter, and shared some on Facebook to let family and friends in on the fun! I was impressed at how connected the #WHSocial group became after finding each other over Twitter through using the hashtag.
5) Did you learn any lessons while participating in the #WHSocial?
I learned, retrospectively, the importance of editing! I was too excited when I arrived at the White House and had a bit of a case of “overshare,” to the point that my phone battery couldn’t stand the cold and died before the ceremony concluded. I realized that even with live, in-the-moment broadcasting people are most interested in a concise, conclusive photograph or tweet rather than an overload of images with little meaning on their own.
6) What does digital citizenship mean to you?
Digital citizenship carries the duties of citizenship into an increasingly globalized world. It is a process of learning, keeping one’s self informed, but also sharing perspectives and ideas.
7) How are you planning to stay engaged as a digital citizen?
I plan to keep expanding the breadth of information I consume with the hopes being able to share more informed perspectives.
8) Share several ways Americans can use their digital presence and online network to engage civically on a local, state, and/or national level.
Especially in the U.S., our governments and leaders are increasingly present on social networks and are eager to engage with their constituents online. Americans can take advantage of this, and use these tools seriously to generate exciting and intelligent dialogue.
Happy Internet Geek Tuesday!
Today I am sharing a Digital Citizenship (#DigCitizen) Project profile featuring Danyell Taylor, a social media leader, I met while attending the White House Social (#WHSocial) for the French Arrival Ceremony for French President Francois Hollande in February.
Meet Danyell Taylor
1) Tell us who you are.
I am a Communications Specialist at the Council of the Great City Schools, a nonprofit organization that focuses on education legislation. I’m from Plano, Texas, and currently live in Washington, DC. To stay updated on my social media adventures, follow me on Twitter: @IDreamInChanel.
2) Why did you apply to participate in the #WHSocial?
I love all things Parisian and volunteer with Alliance Francaise. I saw the #WHSocial as an opportunity to expand my cultural knowledge and social media influence.
3) Share the key moments you experienced while participating in the #WHSocial.
My key moments included:
4) What social media tools did you use to support your participation in the #WHSocial?
Instagram and Twitter
5) Did you learn any lessons while participating in the #WHSocial?
Anything is possible. I can expand my digital knowledge both personally and professionally.
6) What does digital citizenship mean to you?
Digital citizenship is learning and using online tools to explain and comprehend American and global culture, norms, and politics.
7) How are you planning to stay engaged as a digital citizen?
I plan to stay engaged through mainstream newspapers and their digital presence.
8) Share several ways Americans can use their digital presence and online network to engage civically on a local, state, and/or national level.
Happy Internet Geek Tuesday!
Today I am sharing a Digital Citizenship (#DigCitizen) Project profile featuring Erikson Young, a social media leader, I met while attending the White House Social (#WHSocial) for the French Arrival Ceremony for French President Francois Hollande in February.
Meet Erikson Young
1) Tell us who you are.
I am a returned Peace Corps volunteer (Kenya 2005-2007). I work as the Purchasing Agent and Property Custodian at the Smithsonian’s Office of Facilities Management in Washington, D.C. You can find me on Intstagram and Twitter as @eriksonyoung.
2) Why did you apply to participate in the #WHSocial?
My #WHSocial application stated: It’s good for me to observe the diplomacy protocol at State Arrival Ceremony in process. It’s good relationship between French and U.S.
3) Share the key moments you experienced while participating in the #WHSocial.
My key moments included:
4) What social media tools did you use to support your participation in the #WHSocial?
Mainly, I used both Twitter and Instagram during #WHSocial for the French Arrival Ceremony. I also used my personal Facebook to share my family and friends.
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 used Instagram and Twitter to share my follow-up comments and photos.
6) Did you learn any lessons while participating in the #WHSocial?
Using social media and hashtag to share everyone to see the real public diplomacy. Let them to see some photos, tweets and others through their eyes.
7) What does digital citizenship mean to you?
I think digital citizenship is a powerful tool that we can use social media under the Bill of Rights such as Freedom of Speech and Media where we can share our comments and opinions freely without any fears. You can express your opinions and comments to White House officials by reach out via Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and other social media. They do read and listen to you.
8) How are you planning to stay engaged as a digital citizen?
I will continue to use Instagram and Twitter to share my experiences with everyone.
Happy Internet Geek Tuesday!
Today I am sharing a Digital Citizenship (#DigCitizen) Project profile featuring Sherry Grandinetti, a social media leader, I met while attending the White House Social (#WHSocial) for the French Arrival Ceremony for French President Francois Hollande in February.
Meet Sherry Grandinetti
1) Tell us who you are.
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:
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.
Happy Internet Geek Tuesday!
Today marks the launch of the Digital Citizenship (#DigCitizen) Project’s profile series featuring social media leaders who participated in the White House Social (#WHSocial) for the State of the Union (#SOTUSocial) and French Arrival Ceremony.
Meet Jason Knoll
1) Tell us who you are.
My name is Jason Knoll. I am a High School History and Government Teacher from Madison, Wisconsin. To learn more about me, visit my blog, http://jasonlknoll.com and follow me as @jasonlknoll on Twitter.
2) Why did you apply to participate in the #SOTUSocial?
I applied to the #SOTUSocial to show my students that social media can be used an effective tool to engage with our elected officials and representatives.
3) Share one to five key moments you experienced while participating in the #SOTUSocial.
4) What social media tools did you use to support your participation in the #SOTUSocial?
5) After the #SOTUSocial, did you write or participate in any follow-up interviews for a blog, magazine, newspaper, radio station, or television station?
Yes for Reuters and The Cap Times Reuters.
6) Did you learn any lessons while participating in the #SOTUSocial?
7) What does digital citizenship mean to you?
Digital citizenship means using social media to engage with others about serious topics (i.e. policy), whether it is with a friend or an elected official. It also entails sharing information with others so that they can be involved in the public sphere.
8) How are you planning to stay engaged as a digital citizen?
PS: The first #digcitizen Twitter chat will be held on Tuesday, February 25 at 9:30 p.m. EST (one hour). The topic is “Lessons Learned from #SOTUSocial and #WHSocial.” Follow me on @anandaleeke and use the #digcitizen hashtag.
Happy Valentine’s Day!
Today, I am using my blog to send a Digital Citizenship Valentine to the White House (WH), WH Office of Digital Strategy staff and interns, and my fellow social media leaders who participated in the #WHSocial French Arrival Ceremony for President Francois Hollande on February 11.
The Office of Digital Strategy uses digital media to promote President Barack Obama’s agenda and policies. Through its efforts, the American people have been given an opportunity to do three things:
Four years ago, the Office of Digital Strategy began inviting Americans who serve as social media influencers and leaders in their online networks to participate in face-to-face Tweet Ups and #WHSocial events that support the State of the Union, Town Halls, and other WH events. The social media influencers and leaders have been able to expand the WH’s public outreach efforts. Their efforts reach many more Americans who get their news from social media. They have also worked to breakdown the barriers between the U.S. government and its citizens. Together with the Office of Digital Strategy, they are helping to make the Obama administration the most accessible and transparent administration in U.S. history.
In January, I was invited as 1 of 60 social media leaders (out of a pool of over 6,000 applicants) to participate in the State of the Union Social. Click here to read about my experience.
A few days after the event, I learned about and applied to participate in the #WHSocial French Arrival Ceremony. To my surprise, I was selected to attend the event as 1 of 100 social media leaders (out of a pool of 2,500 applicants). Today, I took time to reflect on my experiences and came up with 4 Reasons to Love #WHSocial Events.
1) I love #WHSocial events because they gave me a chance to meet, network, and build community with a diverse group of Americans from all over the country. That’s exactly what I did on Monday night when I organized and hosted a meet up for my fellow social media leaders at the Old Ebbitt Grill.
The next day, I reconnected with my #WHSocial BFFs and made new ones on the South Lawn of the White House, during the briefing with WH staff, and at an impromptu lunch at Cosi’s.
2) I love #WHSocial events because they energized and convinced me to step up my digital citizenship game. Next week, I will begin using my Internet Geek Tuesday blog series to discuss digital citizenship, launch and celebrate Digital Citizenship Month (yep I am creating it) in July to encourage Americans to use their digital presence to get involved and civically engaged at the local and national level, profile #WHSocial leaders and influencers, and discuss WhiteHouse.gov information and WH online engagement efforts.
3) I love #WHSocial events because they inspired me to use all of my social media platforms to get the word out about President Obama’s activities, policies, and programs. I used Facebook, Google+, Instagram, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Storify, Tumblr, Twitter, Vine video app, VoiceBo podcast app, and WordPress to share my #WHSocial adventures this week.
Check out my #WHSocial Pinterest board which contains over 50 pins filled with articles, blog posts, videos, and photos that discuss the French President’s State visit.
I really enjoyed creating Vine videos featuring my fellow social media leaders in action as they prepared for the #WHSocial briefing at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building.
Interviewing my fellow social media leaders with the VoiceBo app was a lot of fun. I also enjoyed using it to give updates about my #WHSocial preparation and reflections.
Instagram, Tumblr, and Twitter were probably my most favorite social media tools to use while live tweeting during the #WHSocial events.
4) I love #WHSocial events because they gave me an opportunity to meet and talk with WH staff. During the #WHSocial briefing, I asked Kori Schulman, Director of Online Engagement, how the Office of Digital Strategy was leveraging the support of people who have participated in the #WHSocial events. I suggested creating a #WHSocial Ambassador Program. Yesterday, I received an email indicating that a #WHSocial Alumni Program is in the works! And that’s just one more reason to love #WHSocial events!
Next week, I’ll be sharing more about my #WHSocial adventures. So drop by! Enjoy your Valentine’s Day and Presidents’ Day Weekend!
Ananda Leeke 