PASSION is #InternetGeekat50 Lesson 7. Nearly 30 years ago, I entered the digital world as a first year student at Howard University School of Law and fell head over heels in love with information from articles, books, case law, journals, and magazines included in the LexisNexis database. My passion for online information gave birth to a bigger passion that now includes a digital communications career and several projects that focus on building and celebrating community, creating and curating content, and inspiring others to use their online presence to express their digital citizenship. Thanks to the White House Office of Digital Strategy, I’ll be able to express my digital citizenship and passion for all things POTUS and FLOTUS Obama during the Spring Garden Tour Social on April 25. Be sure to follow my adventures on Saturday, April 25 via Instagram and Twitter
How do you express your passion in the digital world?
Speaking at Press Publish – Photo Credit: Christine Holsey
#InternetGeekat50 Lesson 4 is B.L.O.G. Last weekend, I attended the WordPress Press Publish Portland Conference. I shared my B.L.O.G. mantra and how I began blogging for personal reasons and evolved into a social media leader for the White House during my “Blogging for Obama” session. Here’s what B.L.O.G. stands for:
B – Be yourself in your blogging process
L – Love the stories you tell on your blog.
O – Open yourself to new ideas and opportunities.
G – Give back.
I have included a more detailed description that I used in my session presentation below.
Photo Credit: Jerry Mahoney
B – Be yourself in your blogging process. Give yourself space to manage the fluctuation of your energy, focus, and passion with digital wellness. I define digital wellness as a gift you give yourself to help manage your time online with mindful self-care practices. Mindful self-care practices encourage you to slow down, become aware of how you spend your time online, and identify and take small steps towards having a healthier digital life. Examples include breathing exercises, journaling, massage, meditation, physical movement (walking, running, yoga, and aerobic classes), rest (naps and a good night’s sleep), setting time boundaries, and using time management tools (HootSuite, TweetDeck, and an editorial calendar) to schedule your blog and social media posts (excerpt from my book Digital Sisterhood: A Memoir of Fierce Living Online.
I started blogging as a result of a writing block in my novel-writing process for Love’s Troubadours – Karma: Book Onein 2005. My book editor urged me to blog to create a daily writing practice. Guess what? He was right. It worked because I wrote for myself. I didn’t think about attracting or pleasing an audience. I just wrote to express my thoughts about my book and its characters.
Photo Credit: Marcia Johnston
My blogging helped me connect with a diverse group of bloggers and social media influencers who discussed topics relevant to my novel and its characters. It also created an audience for my book before it was published. When my book was published, I started telling stories about my writing journey, the lessons I learned during the publishing process, background information about the novel’s characters, book readings, and radio and television interviews. These efforts led me to share stories about my life as an artist and yoga teacher. I ended up creating two different blogs and blog space on numerous online communities and social networking sites. That’s when trouble began. Blogger burnout. In 2008, I was overwhelmed by my self-made digital footprint. Following the advice of my life coach, I took a leave of absence from my blog. Stepping away from the blogging process helped me recharge. I also realized that I was in control of how much I blogged and it was okay to take breaks. So when blogger burnout happened again in 2011, I didn’t hesitate in taking a break. That same year, I decided to institute a monthly unplugging practice that turned into the Digital Sisterhood Unplugged Weekend.
L – Love the stories you are telling on your blog. Tap into what you are most passionate about. I tapped into my passion for yoga, creativity, and being an Internet geek as a guide in what I share on my blog. I also maintain three other blogs that reflect my passion for women in social media (Digital Sisterhood Network), digital citizenship, and my DC life and love for all things POTUS, FLOTUS, and the White House. I don’t maintain a regular editorial calendar for these blogs. I post when I feel called to or have a project I am working on that calls for blogging.
O – Open yourself to new ideas and opportunities. I opened myself up to new ideas and opportunities when I started going to blogging conferences and local social media and tech events including Blogging While Brown, BlogHer, Blogalicious, BlissDom, Feminism 2.0, Latinos in Social Media, She’s Geeky DC, Social Justice Camp DC, Social Media Club DC, Social Media Week DC, and DC Digital Capital Week. These experiences helped me establish relationships and build community with a diverse group of people. My connections and interactions exposed me to new ideas and opportunities to express and share my passion for:
Creativity through a book blogging effort that produced my creative memoir, That Which Awakens Me.
Social good initiatives like Macy’s Heart of Haiti Campaign. I became a Macy’s Heart of Haiti Campaign blogger ambassador in 2010 after learning about it during the Blogalicious Conference. A year later, the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund, Fairwinds Trading, and Macy’s selected me to travel to Haiti. In 2012, I started working as an AARP blogger ambassador on caregiving issues and long-term care planning for women.
French Arrival Ceremony, February 2014 – Photo Credit: Dave McCulloch
International Women of Courage Award Ceremony, February 2014 – Photo Credit: U.S. Department of State
G – Give back. Use your blogging and social media skills to give back to causes, communities, and organizations you care about. I have used my blogging and social media skills to serve as a technology volunteer for Blogalicious Meetups in 2009-2012, CrisisCampDC and Chilean Earthquake in 2010, Andy Shallal’s DC Mayoral Campaign in 2013-14, and BlogHer’s Veteran Blogger Mentor Program in 2014. I have also given back through the Digital Citizenship Project and Digital Citizenship Month.
Photo Credit: Badge designed by Dariela Cruz
Many thanks to Automattic WordPress developer and designer Michelle Langston for working with me to redesign AnandaLeeke.com. Like many people, I had an older website in addition to my blog. During her session “A Tale of Two Sites: A Case Study,” Michelle discussed how we worked together to combine my two sites into one that would truly express my personality and meet my online goals. I participated by sharing the web content challenges I faced and how I overcame my fears with her support.
Michelle and me at Press Publish
TRANSFORMATIVE is the best word to describe my Press Publish experience. I invite you to read my #Storify blogs which feature social media highlights including tweets and photos that I hope will give you an idea as to why the conference was so transformative for me.
Click here to learn more about Press Publish and the upcoming April 18th conference in Phoenix, Arizona. REGISTER NOW so you can have a TRANSFORMATIVE experience too.
Congratulations Jason on your new position as the first White House Chief Digital Officer!
When I read your Medium post, I became excited because your intention to create more meaningful online engagement between government and American citizens is headed in the right direction. The question you posed to the American public was AWESOME: How can we — our government and you and your communities — better connect online to make America better? It got me thinking about several ideas which is why I am writing this letter to you via my blog.
Before I get started, let me first say I am a huge fan of President Barack Obama and his amazing team of digital warriors in the Office of Digital Strategy. Through their efforts, I’ve been able to participate in several White House Social (#WHSocial) events that gave me a better understanding of the Obama administration’s priorities and an opportunity to share what I learned with my online community.
Photo Credit: Dave McCulloch
They also connected me to a more diverse group of fellow digital citizens and inspired me to create the Digital Citizenship Project and Digital Citizenship Month (July). Now that you know what drives my passion for POTUS and digital citizenship, let me offer the following #socialcivics ideas:
Since 2011, the White House has invited numerous social media leaders to participate in #WHSocial events and tweet ups. Reconnect with these individuals through a series of online and offline events that encourage them to serve as White House Social Media Ambassadors. They represent a pool of potential #socialcivics advocates who might be willing to share and discuss Obama administration policies and initiatives with their online communities.
My first visit to the White House occurred when a delegation of bloggers of color from the Blogging While Brown Conference visited with Corey Ealons, former Director of African American Media and Coordinator of Special Projects, in 2010. That visit gave us an opportunity to meet White House staff and discuss issues of concern relevant to communities of color. There are so many diverse blogging communities and conferences including Black Bloggers Connect, Blogalicious, Blogging While Brown, BlogHer, Latina Bloggers Connect, Latinos in Social Media, Mom 2.0 Summit, Niche Parent Network, and Women of Midlife (Bloggers at Midlife Conference). Connect with them and their communities by holding Google Hangout discussions, Twitter Town Halls, and offline events to discuss Obama administration policies and #socialcivics efforts.
Increase your outreach to digital citizens over 60. Many are using blogs and social media platforms to share their ideas. Invite them and their communities to participate in online and offline events. Make sure they are well represented at #WHSocial events. Their voices are important.
Create a #SocialCivics Roundtable (like the White House Council on Women and Girls) that brings together a diverse group of civic engagement advocates committed to expanding the Obama administration’s citizen engagement efforts. Have the Roundtable meet quarterly and provide ideas. They could meet online or offline.
Celebrate Digital Citizenship Month in July with a strong push to get more Americans involved in digital civic engagement.
That’s it for now! Once you get settled into your new office at the White Office, I’d love to meet you for lunch at Busboys and Poets in my neighborhood to discuss how I can best use my digital presence, projects, and community to further support your #socialcivics efforts.
On June 10, I attended the White House Social (#WHSocial) featuring President Barack Obama’s first-ever Tumblr Q&A session on education, college affordability, and student loan debt reduction. I had a front row seat in the State Dining Room. Being able to see President Obama, one of my #FierceLiving heros, in action was a HUGE life moment for me. Click here to read about my favorite #WHSocial moments. Watch my Vine video too.
After the event, I was able to snap a selfie with the President, say hello, and shake his hand. What a lucky woman I am!
Check out photos from my #WHSocial adventures below.
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.
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.
Photo Credit: WhiteHouse.gov
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.
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:
Arriving early and seeing the preparations for the state arrival was particularly interesting to see. Every piece of the ceremony is so choreographed and rehearsed to perfection, it was fascinating to see what it took to put it together.
It was also a great thrill to go in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building and meet with administration officials. I was struck by how those individuals we met with made real the administration’s commitment to transparency.
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.
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 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.
Ananda Leeke 