I recently watched the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN) YouTube channel which featured a short video from Tyler Perry’s television program, For Better or Worse. The video features an African American female therapist who has lived with HIV for 18 years sharing her story in an effort to convince another African American woman who has recently had unprotected sex to get tested. It represents a powerful example of how OWN and Tyler Perry are using YouTube and their television programming to promote HIV/AIDS awareness.
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.
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:
Seeing school-age children vying to get a look at President Barack Obama.
Watching the 21-gun salute.
Being close enough to hear and see President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama.
Attending the #WHSocial Meetup Happy Hour at the Old Ebbitt Grill and discussing our stroll down digital memory lane.
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.
Share your concerns, questions, revelations, and insights with your network.
Grow in your knowledge and don’t except the status quo in life, religion or politics.
Be curious about the world outside of your block, city, state, and country of origin.
I am headed to Atlanta this week to participate in a conversation about fierce living online on April 10 with my digital sister, Dr. Ayoka Chenzira, founder of Spelman College’s Digital Moving Image Salon. We’ll be talking about digital sisterhood and social media too. Copies of my new book, Digital Sisterhood: A Memoir of Fierce Living Online will be available for sale. If you are in Atlanta, plan to attend the event which will be held at 4:00 p.m. in the NASA Auditorium in Spelman’s Science Center, 350 Spelman Lane, SW, Atlanta, Georgia.
Photo Credit: Proof and Provision
PS: For Digital Sisters in Atlanta: Drop by the Digital Sisterhood Meet Up: Cocktails & Conversation on Creativity and meet me on April 9, 2014 from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Proof and Provision at the Georgian Terrace Hotel, 659 Peachtree Street, NE. Click here to register on Eventbrite.
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:
Witness the real process of protocol handled by Office of Chief Protocol.
Learning the real purpose to develop a good relationship between U.S. and France through the public diplomacy.
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.
9) Share several ways Americans can use their digital presence and online network to engage civically on a local, state, and/or national level.
Twitter is a powerful social media tool that you can use to get in touch with elected officials on any level in local, state, and national governments.
Share your opinions as your duty as digital citizen in order to improve the best service to our country and U.S. citizens.
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:
A breathtaking view of the White House up close.
Chills hearing the President’s March and hearing him being announced in person.
Being so close to two leaders while they gave welcome speeches.
The electrical excitement in the crowd before the ceremony began.
Watching the pomp and circumstance during the arrival of the Presidents was surreal.
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.
9) Share several ways Americans can use their digital presence and online network to engage civically on a local, state, and/or national level.
Engage and follow local representatives to stay involved with current events and pending laws.
2) Why did you apply to participate in the #SOTUSocial?
I wanted to help share the President’s message and show how real, every day, ordinary people can be involved and help make a difference.
3) Share the key moments you experienced while participating in the #SOTUSocial.
Meeting Press Secretary Jay Carney and simply walking into the White House.
4) What social media tools did you use to support your participation in the #SOTUSocial?
I used Twitter, Facebook, and also posted on Google +, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
5) After the #SOTUSocial, did you write or participate in any follow-up interviews for a blog, magazine, newspaper, radio station, or television station?
I wrote a blog post about my experience. Click here to read it.
6) Did you learn any lessons while participating in the #SOTUSocial?
My best lesson was to bring your own WiFi which I did.
7) What does digital citizenship mean to you?
Digital citizenship means to engage with people and access information about issues that matter to you by connecting with them online
8) How are you planning to stay engaged as a digital citizen?
I’m a digital communications manager and all over the web. I love managing, leading, innovating, and engaging communities of people through digital communications.
9) Share several ways Americans can use their digital presence and online network to engage civically on a local, state, and/or national level.
Anyone can make a difference and get involved! Opportunities are boundless in the digital world.
On Sunday, I hosted the Ananda Leeke Show’s Digital Citizenship Project series featuring women social media leaders Erin Dunne, Kelsey Glover, and Katie Kaestner. We discussed our recent participation in the U.S. Department of State’s Meetup for the International Women of Courage (#IWOC) Award Ceremony on March 4. Click here to listen to the audio recording.
#IWOC Women Social Media Leaders at State Department on 3/4/14 — Photo Credit: Katie Kaestner
During the show, we gave a special shout out to our fellow women social media leaders who were unable to join the discussion: Laila Alawa, Salma Bahramy, and Jen Charlton.
International Women of Courage 2014 Awardees and FLOTUS Michelle Obama — Photo Credit: State.gov
We also discussed how inspired we were by the 10 #IWOC awardees who were honored for their exceptional courage and leadership in advocating for human rights, women’s equality, and social progress, often at great personal risk. See list of #IWOC awardees below.
Dr. Nasrin Oryakhil, Director, Malalai Maternity Hospital Kabul (Afghanistan)
Ms. Roshika Deo, Feminist and Political Activist, Be the Change Campaign (Fiji)
Bishop Rusudan Gotsiridze, Bishop, Evangelical Baptist Church of Georgia (Georgia)
Dr. Iris Yassmin Barrios Aguilar, Tribunal President, High Risk Court (Guatemala)
Laxmi, Campaigner, Stop Acid Attacks (India)
Ms. Fatimata Touré, Etude, de Formation Femme-Action (Mali)
Dr. Maha Al Muneef, Founder and Executive Director, National Family Safety Program (Saudi Arabia) *Awarded in absentia
Ms. Oinikhol Bobonazarova, Director, NGO Perspektiva Plus (Tajikistan)
Ms. Ruslana Lyzhychko, Activist and Pop Artist (Ukraine)
Ms. Beatrice Mtetwa, Human Rights Lawyer (Zimbabwe)
FLOTUS Michelle Obama and the #IWOC Social Media Leaders – Photo Credit: State.gov
We all agreed that meeting First Lady Michelle Obama was a powerful moment and game changer in our lives!
#IWOC Women Social Media Leaders met with U.S. Department of State’s Global Women’s Issues staff
Our face-to-face discussions with staff from the U.S. Department of State’s Office of Global Women’s Issues (GWI) and Bureau of Public Affairs (BPA) gave us an inside view of how the staff makes things happen in their daily work. We met with Irene Marr from the Office of GWI; Moira Whelan, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Digital Strategy in the BPA; Vinay Chawla, Director of Digital Engagement in the BPA; and Hannah Lyons, Public Affairs Specialist in the BPA. To learn more about the #IWOC event and awardees, check out my Pinterest board of resources.
Today I am sharing a Digital Citizenship (#DigCitizen) Project profile featuring Dr. Janet Johnson, a social media leader, I met while attending the White House Social (#WHSocial) for the State of the Union (#SOTUSocial) in January.
Meet Dr. Janet Johnson
1) Tell us who you are.
I am a Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Texas at Dallas. I study social media and the political process. To learn more about me, visit my web site and blog. Connect with me on social media (see web sites below).
2) Why did you apply to participate in the #SOTUSocial?
I applied to participate because I study social media and the political process. Also, my dissertation was about the 2008 campaign blogs.
3) Share one to five key moments you experienced while participating in the #SOTUSocial.
I was standing in line for the U.S. Capitol tour the day before the #SOTUSocial and a young woman recognized me from Twitter. She was also attending the #SOTUSocial.
I was sniffed by the First Family’s dogs Bo and Sunny. Right place, right time.
Meeting Senior Advisor Dan Pfeiffer.
Asking a question during the #SOTUChat.
4) What social media tools did you use to support your participation in the #SOTUSocial?
Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter
5) After the #SOTUSocial, did you write or participate in any follow-up interviews for a blog, magazine, newspaper, radio station, or television station?
My university promoted my attendance to the #SOTUSocial. Click here to read article. I was also interviewed by WFAA Channel 8 in Dallas. They did a Skype interview about my experience.
6) Did you learn any lessons while participating in the #SOTUSocial?
The White House is very strategic.
The White House does not control the citizen’s messages.
Everyone at the White House was very nice and shared a lot of information about their jobs.
7) What does digital citizenship mean to you?
No matter what political affiliation you are, you can participate and do it civilly. People tend to react instead of discuss issues over social media. We need to learn to listen and think before we type a message. Nothing will change if we are not forming effective messages that will actually help others understand our position. Civility is the key.
8) How are you planning to stay engaged as a digital citizen?
I am always engaged and monitoring social media and politics. I am writing a research article about the #SOTUSocial. I am also going to apply for more White House Socials. I feel as if it’s a great opportunity to learn how the White House functions and how government works. It’s fascinating!
9) Share several ways Americans can use their digital presence and online network to engage civically on a local, state, and/or national level.
People can easily get involved. They can use hashtags of organizations, candidates or issues that they feel passionate about. Teach and learn through social media. Just don’t react and attack. Be a proactive citizen that contributes to the conversation–not stop it.
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.
I thought it was really cool to be able to connect with people beforehand using #SOTUSocial and then meet them and talk with them during the event.
I had a 15-30 minute conversation with my congressman in the airport as we waited to board our plane to come back home.
As a result of me live-tweeting, some of my students also live-tweeted, which led them to have interesting discussions with their classmates.
4) What social media tools did you use to support your participation in the #SOTUSocial?
Twitter
5) After the #SOTUSocial, did you write or participate in any follow-up interviews for a blog, magazine, newspaper, radio station, or television station?
6) Did you learn any lessons while participating in the #SOTUSocial?
Social media is here to stay, so it is best to embrace it and learn how to use it.
Take a look at Twitter to see some really cool work being done in the field of digital diplomacy.
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?
I’m comfortable right now using primarily Twitter and my blog to stay engaged, and that I do not currently plan on using any other major social media platforms.
9) Share several ways Americans can use their digital presence and online network to engage civically on a local, state, and/or national level.
Tweet to elected officials about an issue.
Participate in Twitter chats with government agencies.
Photo Credit: Twitter.com
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.
Ananda Leeke 