Tag: women in social media

Happy Internet Geek Tuesday!

Posted by on in Blogher Conference, BlogHer13, Internet Geek TuesdayLeave a comment

blogher13icon

Happy Internet Geek Tuesday!

Have you heard of BlogHer?

BlogHer is the largest community of women who blog and a media company that was created by Elisa Camahort Page, Jory des Jardins, and Lisa Stone in 2005.

Photo Credit: BlogHer.com - BlogHer co-founders Lisa Stone, Jory Des Jardins, and Elisa Camahort Page
Photo Credit: BlogHer.com – BlogHer co-founders Lisa Stone, Jory Des Jardins, and Elisa Camahort Page

To date, BlogHer has created opportunities for the 55 million women in its community to gain exposure, education, community, and economic empowerment through its conferences for women in social media, publishing network of 3,000 blogs authored by women, and BlogHer.com, the leading guide to the hottest news and trends among women in social media.

Ananda at BlogHer 2009 luncheon
Ananda at BlogHer 2009 luncheon
BlogHer 2010 - Ananda, Julie Diaz-Asper, Ana Roca Castro, and Sylvia Aguilera
BlogHer 2010 – Ananda, Julie Diaz-Asper, Ana Roca Castro, and Sylvia Aguilera
Vikki Reich, Heather Mann, and Ananda at BlogHer11 session on Peer Mentoring
Vikki Reich, Heather Mann, and Ananda at BlogHer11 session on Peer Mentoring

I joined BlogHer in 2008.  I’ve been fortunate to attend the annual conference in 2009, 2010, 2011, and 2012. The BlogHer community and conferences have helped me to dream bigger and grow as a person, entrepreneur, speaker, and writer in numerous ways. I believe BlogHer invests deeply in its members which creates a similar investment commitment by its members. Last year, I wrote a conference blog recap that expressed my definition of BlogHer (it is written as an acronym). See below.

BlogHer 2012 Podcasting Panel - Deborah Shane, Ananda, and Jasmin Singer
BlogHer 2012 Podcasting Panel – Deborah Shane, Ananda, and Jasmin Singer
BlogHer 2012 Breakfast with Ananda and Veronica Arrerola
BlogHer 2012 Breakfast with Ananda and Veronica Arrerola

bh12-comeasyouarepartycollage

BlogHer 2012 Blogalicious Brunch
BlogHer 2012 Blogalicious Brunch

B – Building community through meaningful and mindful connections, conversations, collaborative partnerships and projects, and commerce that generates revenue and valued added exchanges for myself and others.

L – Learning and sharing information that helps me and others grow to our fullest potential.

O – Opening my heart to be inspired and energized by the stories I hear from fellow bloggers, keynote speakers, and representatives from brands, companies, organizations, and marketing/PR firms.

G – Giving back to others by sharing what I know and affirming and supporting others’ efforts.

H – Having fun and celebrating digital sisterhood and digital brotherhood bonds with new and old blogging friends.

E – Embracing and valuing the power, presence, and passion of my own voice, creativity, expertise, thought leadership, entrepreneurial efforts, social good causes and campaigns, and definition of success.

R – Remembering that my return on investment (ROI) from my BlogHer community and conference participation is rooted in my attitude, intentions, choices, personal responsibility, and actions.

BlogHer13-150-speaking

BH13_MultiCulti_150x150

This year, I am excited to share I will be speaking about social media leadership and co-hosting the Multi-Culti party with two amazing digital sisters, Pauline Campos and Dwana De La Cerna at the July conference in Chicago.  I hope you will be able to join us at the conference and the Multi-Culti party. Click here to register.

Photo Credit: www.sheratonchicago.com
Photo Credit: http://www.sheratonchicago.com

Are you headed to the BlogHer conference in Chicago?

What are you looking forward to learning about and receiving from the BlogHer conference?

I am looking forward to connecting with my current network of digital sisters and brothers, meeting new digital sisters and brothers, co-hosting the Multi-Culti party, speaking about social media leadership, attending some of the Style Mini-Con sessions, hearing the Voices of the Year speakers (one of my favorite events), and listening to the keynote addresses by Majora Carter and Sheryl Sandberg.

Hope to see you in Chicago!

My Digital Sisterhood book writing journey gave birth to the Digital Sisterhood Leadership Project

Posted by on in Digital Sisterhood Leadership Project2 Comments
Photo Credit: http://blog.christopherbaan.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/leadership-tag-cloud.png

My Digital Sisterhood book writing journey continues to amaze me.  It just gave birth to a new passion and calling called the Digital Sisterhood Leadership Project.  What a magical and messy creative process I have!  Hold tight for more details on the project!  I wanna give you the backstory first.

Photo Credit: BlissDom logo

In an effort to maintain balance and stay on track with my writing, I have decided to pause today since it’s Digital Sisterhood Wednesday and share what’s been happening.  Read on …  For the past four months my writing journey has invited me to witness and take notes about the powerful ways social media women practice leadership.  I had many lightbulb moments about women’s leadership during the BlissDom 2012 Conference in Nashville, Tennessee in February.  My BlissDom experience exposed me to a leadership model called “Community Leaders.”  The BlissDom founders Alli Worthington and Barbara Jones along with their team created the Community Leaders model so that seasoned bloggers could use their extensive experience to facilitate hands-on, small-group discussions during each session.  The Community Leaders also:

  • Helped new bloggers and first-time conference attendees navigate the BlissDom experience.
  • Offered inspiration and encouragement.
  • Shared their blogging wisdom, best practices, and tips.
  • Engaged in one-on-one conversations that offered listening ears and brainstorming moments.
  • Gave hugs (especially during my Fierce Living from Your Creative Heart workshop).

The role they played was PRICELESS.  I call it Digital Sisterhood Leadership, my newfound passion that I will pursue fully in 2013.  I say “pursue fully in 2013” because I am mindful of my need to set boundaries as I take time this year to complete my book.

So what’s next?  Drum roll please!!!!

Digital Sisterhood Network's DC Women in Social Media Focus Group Series on Nonprofit Women Leaders, October 2010 @ MLKing Library

May is going to be an exciting month for the Digital Sisterhood Network (DSN).  Click here to learn why.  The link will direct you to my audio blog update about the new DSN initiative, the Digital Sisterhood Leadership Project.  It will have a soft launch in May that includes #DSLead Twitter chats on May 2, 9, 23, and 30 from 9:00 pm ET to 10:00 pm ET.   For more details, visit the DSN web site later today.

Guess what’s else is happening?

The DSN web site will feature a series of interviews with Digital Sisterhood Leaders in May, June, July, August, September, October, and November. Look for a mini celebration during Digital Sisterhood Month in December. The mega launch will be held in January 2013!

So what do you think about my new passion and calling?

Thanks for stopping by!

Ananda is speaking at 8th Annual Spelman College Leadership and Women of Color Conference in May

Posted by on in Ananda's Speaking Events, Spelman College2 Comments
Photo Credit: Spelman College

Guess who is going to speak at Spelman College in May?  Yours truly!  I AM SUPER EXCITED!  It will be my second time speaking at Spelman.  Last year, I spoke at the Digital Doyennes event sponsored by Spelman’s Digital Moving Image Salon and the Women in Film & Television Atlanta.

So here are the details about my May visit.  I will be speaking on a panel with Patricia Cesaire of Black Enterprise, James Anderson of SocialPeople.tv, and Roland Martin of CNN, that will discuss how social media can help women shape their leadership brand at Spelman’s 8th Annual Leadership and Women of Color Conference on May 17. Check out the Pinterest board I created about personal leadership brand (will add more information in April and May).

The Leadership and Women of Color Conference begins on May 16 with an opening session on Leading with Purpose and the Legacy of Leadership Awards Dinner.  A networking breakfast, opening session with testimonies from the field, and panel discussions, and workshops will be held on May 17. Click here to see the full schedule.

Speakers include Dr. Beverly Daniel Tatum, Dr. Jane E. Smith, Tai Beauchamp, Josefina Bonilla, Henna Inam, Angela Fletcher, Katherine Giscombe, Kym A. Harris, Nicole Roberts Jones, Kathleen McGhee-Anderson, Rep. Alisha Thomas Morgan, Deborah Owens, and Andrea Riggs. Click here to register for the conference.

Be sure to follow Spelman and the Conference on Twitter @SpelmanCollege and @SpelmanWOCConf.

BlogHer 2012 Women and Social Media Study

Posted by on in Women in Social MediaLeave a comment
Photo Credit: BlogHer 2012 Study

Yesterday I learned that BlogHer published its 2012 study of women and social media. What timing! I was hoping the study would come out in time for me to include in my last chapter of my Digital Sisterhood book. The Internet geek in me is jumping for joy. Time to read the study and learn more about digital sisters!

  • Click here to see the BlogHer SlideShare presentation.
  • Click here to read more about the BlogHer 2012 Study.

Ananda’s #BlissDom12 Conference Pinterest Treats for BlissDom Attendees: Fierce Living From Your Creative Heart

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Ananda's 2012 Creative Heart Mantra Statement

The #BlissDom12 Conference is two days away.  I AM SO EXCITED!!! It’s my first BlissDom experience!  I am gonna have big fun meeting new people, seeing old blogging friends, networking with brands, hanging out at the great events, listening to the keynote speakers, and learning a lot about video and photography from some amazing speakers.  I am also facilitating a workshop session on “Fierce Living from Your Creative Heart” on February 24 from 2:30 pm to 4:00 pm.

Happy to be going to BLISSDOM
In preparation for the session, I created a Pinterest board with 40 different pins that include photos, images, videos, and links to creative inspiration and information that I hope will encourage my workshop attendees to open their hearts and embrace fierce living.  Each pin includes a question that invites reflection and comments.  To learn more about what’s on my #BlissDom12 Fierce Living from Your Creative Heart Pinterest Board, click here to listen to my Cinchcast audio blog.  Feel free to check out my board and leave a comment.  If you are unable to attend my session and/or #BlissDom12, you can still use my Pinterest board as a source of inspiration in your creative life Enjoy!
Love's Troubadours by Ananda Leeke

PS: I will be signing copies of my novel, Love’s Troubadours – Karma: Book One on February 25 at 11:00 am at the Barnes & Nobles booth at BlissDom. If you are in Nashville, drop by.  Click here to purchase the book on Amazon.com.

Remembering Digital Sister Susan Niebur, One of My #DSFierceLiving Sheros

Posted by on in Digital Sisterhood Sheroes, Digital Sisterhood: A Gen X-er Memoir of Life & the InternetLeave a comment
Susan Niebur speaking @ Be Blogalicious, The Movie event, Jan. 2011

This morning I dedicated my yoga practice to Susan Niebur, an amazing digital sister and #dsfierceliving shero who inspires me tremendously.  After yoga, I wrote in my journal and discovered I was writing the dedication page for my book, Digital Sisterhood.  Susan’s name appeared.  Here’s why.

I heard Susan share her breast cancer journey at BlogHer in New York City in August 2010.  Click here to watch a video of her talk.  Her words moved my spirit.  They made me think of my two grandmothers who lived with breast cancer.  When I returned home from BlogHer, I started following her blog, Toddler Planet and became inspired by her fierce living spirit, heart, and courage.  She quickly became one of my digital sister sheros.

In January 2011, I met her in person at the Be Blogalicious movie event in Silver Spring, Maryland (photo above was taken of Susan at the event).  That was a game changing moment because I had a chance to tell her how much I was inspired by her BlogHer talk and blog.

In October 2011, I listened to Susan share her journey at the Blogalicious Conference held at the National Harbor in Maryland. Later in the day, I was able to hug her and say how much I appreciated her story and work.  Susan made her transition on February 6.  Her hug is now a priceless gift I will always treasure.

Through Susan’s blog, I was able to witness the power of how one woman used social media to document and share her health journey, build community with like-minded people, give and receive support, and promote breast cancer awareness.  She caused me to look for other women who were doing similar things with social media.  I found plenty.  These women along with Susan inspired me to dedicate Digital Sisterhood Month 2011 to women’s health.

I am so grateful for the presence of Susan in my social media life.  Her fierce spirit, heart, and courage will always be remembered. Today I am sending love and light to her husband, sons, family, and friends.  She will be deeply missed.

Visit  her Toddler Planet blog to learn more about her amazing life and journey.

PS: Join Digital Sisterhood Network on February 8 for a special #DigitalSisterhood Wednesday Twitter tribute to Susan.  Follow @digitalsisterhd and check out the #dsfierceliving Pinterest board.

Please support Ananda’s Digital Sisterhood Part 2 Kickstarter Fundraiser by Making a Donation by June 28.

Posted by on in digital sisterhood, Digital Sisterhood: A Gen X-er Memoir of Life & the Internet, Kickstarter.comLeave a comment

 

 

Hi All,

Today I am sharing a video that I recorded yesterday about my Digital Sisterhood Part 2 Kickstarter Fundraiser.  My goal is to raise $500 by June 28. Click on the link to make a donation of $1, $5, $10, $20, $30, $40, $50 or more:  http://kck.st/i15fwC.  Each person who donates will receive a gift. Check out what you will receive with your donations: http://kck.st/i15fwC.

The Story Behind My Current Fundraiser:

In September 2010, I  launched my first Kickstarter campaign to raise money for my book, Digital Sisterhood, a memoir that discusses her Internet adventures, digital sisterhood experiences, and reflections about women and the Internet during the period of 1986 to 2011.  My short-term goal was to raise $500 by December 23, 2010. My long-term goal was to raise $1,600. Guess what happened? With the support of 39 backers, I successfully raised $1,159 online and an additional $70 offline. The grand total was $1,229.

To date, I have $371 to raise in order to meet my long-term goal of $1,600. That’s why I have come back to Kickstarter with Digital Sisterhood – Part 2.  My Digital Sisterhood Part 2 book fundraising goal is $500 by June 28. This amount will cover the balance of my self-publishing expenses and help offset the cost of mailing and photography expenses.

More on Digital Sisterhood:

To learn more about Digital Sisterhood, visit the web sites below.

Web Site: http://digitalsisterhood.wordpress.com/
Book: http://digitalsisterhood.wordpress.com/book/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/digitalsisterhd

Thank you for your support! Many blessings!

Support Ananda’s Digital Sisterhood Part 2 Kickstarter Book Fundraiser Goal of $500 by June 28

Posted by on in Digital Sisterhood: A Gen X-er Memoir of Life & the InternetLeave a comment
Photo Credit: http://www.kickstarter.com

It’s Digital Sisterhood Wednesday! What a great day for the launch of Digital Sisterhood Network’s second Kickstarter.com book fundraiser.  The fundraiser supports the publication of my next book Digital Sisterhood, a memoir.  The goal is $500 by June 28.

As many of you know, my first Kickstarter.com fundraiser (September-December 2010) was extremely successful. With the support of 39 backers, I successfully raised $1,159 online and an additional $70 offline. The grand total was $1,229.

I have $371 to raise in order to meet my long-term goal of $1,600. That’s why I have returned to Kickstarter with Digital Sisterhood – Part 2. Our $500 fundraising goal will cover the balance of the iUniverse, Inc.  self-publishing, mailing, and photography expenses.

Click here to listen to my audio blog about the fundraiser.

Click here to learn more about the fundraiser and make a donation.

Many thanks for your support!

PS: Please spread the word about the Digital Sisterhood Part 2 Kickstarter Book Fundraiser.  Please use this link: http://kck.st/i15fwC.

Ananda is speaking on 3/19 @ WOMANIFESTING IN ACTION in DC and will share lessons learned from Heart of Haiti trip.

Posted by on in digital sisterhood, Heart of Haiti, Women LeadersLeave a comment
Photo Credit: Womanifesting's Logo - http://www.womanifesting.org
Photo Credit: Ananda Leeke - Tracy Chiles McGhee at DC women in social media focus group in October 2010

Have you heard of Womanifesting a/k/a WOMA? WOMA is a DC-based non-profit organization established by attorney Tracy Chiles McGhee to develop and support  programs that foster self-empowerment, sisterhood, and service in the lives of women and girls.  Tracy and I met two years ago during a writers’ workshop and realized we shared similar interests – law, writing, women’s creativity and empowerment, social justice, and service.

Last fall, I invited Tracy to participate in a focus group that discussed how social justice and nonprofit women leaders use social media. She stepped up to the plate and shined her wisdom and insights during the focus group.  She also supported my Digital Sisterhood Network and Kickstarter book fundraising project.  Her commitment and support to women and girls is above and beyond the call of duty. That’s why it was so easy for me to accept her invitation to participate as a panelist for WOMANIFESTING IN ACTION: How Local Women Leaders Make A Difference Through Community Building, Collaboration and Social Activism on March 19 from 2:00 pm to 4:30 pm at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library, 901 G St., NW, Room A-5, Washington, DC. During the discussion, I will share some lessons learned from my recent trip to Haiti as a Heart of Haiti blogger ambassador and work with the Digital Sisterhood Network.

Check out the dynamic women who will be speaking at the event below.

Discussion Moderators:

  • Marita Golden, Acclaimed Author, Master Literary Teacher and Co-Founder of the Hurston/Wright Foundation
  • Nikita Mitchell, Gen Y Writer/Blogger,  who was recently named one of the Top 10 Nonprofit Bloggers to Watch in 2011

Keynote Speaker:

  • Yasmine Arrington, a DC high school student who started a college scholarship fund for aspiring college students with incarcerated parents

Program Participants:

  • DC Councilwoman Muriel Bowser
  • Patricia Nalls, Founder & Executive Director, The Women’s Collective, 2010 Washingtonian of the Year
  • Carrie L. Ellis, Director of Project Management, KaBOOM! & Board Chair, Teaching for Change
  • Shannon and Chai, Co-Founders  of Holla Back DC
  • Marielle Mariano, East Coast Coordinator, Chalk4Peace
  • Jessica T. Solomon, Founder, The Saartjie Project & Chief Visionary Officer, Spark Creativity

Happy New Year! My Heart Belongs to Haiti This Month!

Posted by on in Digital Sisterhood Month, Haitian Disaster Relief Efforts, Heart of Haiti2 Comments

Happy New Year All!

It’s been a few weeks since I last posted.  Why? Digital Sisterhood Month!  31 days of celebrating women online and the connections they make, conversations they have, communities they build, causes they support, collaborative partnerships they establish, and commerce they engage in with women they meet online and offline. Visit the Digital Sisterhood Network web site to learn more.

This month my heart belongs to Haiti because I want to honor the resiliency of the Haitian people who experienced a devastating earthquake on January 12, 2010.  Last year I taught an online yoga class for Yoga Day USA that was dedicated to the people of Haiti. At the beginning of the class, I asked viewers to donate money to Doctors Without Borders to support their work in Haiti. Click here to watch the video.

This year I am serving as an ambassador for the Heart of Haiti campaign, a Macy’s partnership that was created to provide sustainable income to Haitian artisans impacted by the January earthquake.  Read my November 29th post to learn more. Also, listen to the following December episodes of Digital Sisterhood Radio that mention my work with the Heart of Haiti campaign:

  • December 20th show featuring ‘Digital Native’ Lauren Thomas, founder of Digital Aftershock: I discussed how I met Lauren Thomas, former Digital Coordinator of Everywhere, at the Heart of Haiti booth during Blogalicious 2010 and had a powerful conversation that convinced me to sign up for the campaign.  I also shared how I interviewed Lauren about the Heart of Haiti campaign with my cell phone for my Cinchcast audio blog at Blogalicious.
Water Carriers by Dr. Lois Mailou Jones, Haiti 1985 - acrylic, 25 ¼ x 19 ¾ in.

 

I almost forgot to mention that I organized a Digital Sisterhood Month field trip for DC area  women in social media to visit the National Museum of Women in the Arts on December 3 to see the “Lois Mailou Jones: A Life in Vibrant Color” exhibit.  During her lifetime, Dr. Jones (born November 3, 1905 – died June 9, 1998), a Howard University art professor (one of my favorite artists), created a body of artwork that was inspired by Haiti and her marriage to Haitian artist Louis Vergniaud Pierre-Noel.  One of my greatest treats was showing the women who attended the museum field trip some of my favorite Haitian-inspired paintings created by Dr. Jones.  Check out the amazing “Water Carriers” painting on the left side of the blog post.

What do you think?

I LOVE IT and HAITI!

Drop by my blog this week and next week for more posts about my passion for Haiti and work with the Heart of Haiti campaign!

Enjoy your day and week!