Thoughts on the Black Woman Web Renaissance in 2008 by Ananda Leeke Copyright 2008 by Madelyn C.. Leeke. (excerpt from That Which Awakens Me: A Woman’s Poetic Memoir of Self-Discovery – iUniverse, Inc. - December 2008) 2008 is a fascinating year to live in. Why you might ask? Well, first 2008 marks the year that Americans have an opportunity to choose and witness great change in our nation and politics. I believe that change will begin to happen when we vote for the next president in November. The second reason is that the Internet and Web 2.0 tools (a/k/a social media) are giving birth to a new breed of women of African descent who intentionally create content, commerce, connections, conversations, and communities that reflect: -who and why they are; -where they are from, have been, and are headed to in life; -how they choose to live, love, create, and share their gifts; and -what they are passionate about and interested in. We are in the midst of a Black Woman Web Renaissance. It excites the techie geek in me because women who look like me are revolutionizing the way we see ourselves and connect with each other online. We are reaching out and extending our grasp beyond our local communities, cities, states, and countries. Our capacity to do business, share information, network, and advocate on behalf of our interests multiplies daily. Our power as a group steadily increases. Each time we create an online presence with social media tools (i.e. blogs, web sites, social networking sites, Internet radio shows, podcasts, YouTube videos, etc.), we are declaring what activist and writer Audre Lorde wrote: “If I didn't define myself for myself, I would be crunched into other people's fantasies for me and eaten alive.” We are also embracing and manifesting the freedom our ancestors sacrificed for us to have and use on our own terms. They smile upon and bless our creative vision and expression. Because of them we are pioneers walking where there is no path. Let us shout and rejoice for we are willfully creating space for us all to breathe. That’s why we are sophisticated social media ladies. May our individual and collective passion, vision, and commitment deepen and flourish! May we enjoy this wonderful web renaissance and grow with it in positive, life enriching ways! Below are links to some of my favorite Black women social media and web sites that are posted on the BAP Living social networking site (http://baplivingforbapsandebw.ning.com/). What are some of your favorites? Ananda’s Favorite Black Women Social Media and Web Sites A. Internet Radio Shows and Podcasts 1) The Black Women's Roundtable is a show about current events affecting African American women, specifically relationships and negative portrayals of Black women in popular culture. Gina McCauley hosts the show. http://www.blogtalkradio.com/blackwomen 2) The Queens Council is a show that offers Black women a place to become empowered, to become enlightened, and also to share a few laughs on the way. Arlene Fenton hosts the show. http://www.talkshoe.com/tc/20100 3) The Black Author Showcase Member of the Month radio show features the talents of the loyal and actively contributing members of the Black Author Showcase. The Member of the Month is interviewed live with a question and answer period immediately following, so readers and book clubs can actively participate. Diane Williams hosts the show. http://www.talkshoe.com/tc/11955 4) Black Author Network is a weekly radio show that features authors and literary leaders three times per week to give the readers a blast of knowledge, wisdom, and empowerment. Ella Curry hosts the show. http://www.blogtalkradio.com/Black-Author-Network 5) Sistah Confessions is the virtual destination for reading African American literature and discussing it with a twist. The show interviews authors and uses their books as a platform for listeners to address issues affecting women today. Tifany Jones hosts the show. http://www.blogtalkradio.com/SistahConfessions 6) Cocoa Mode is a weekly radio program created especially for the African American woman who takes pride in her appearance and is concerned with her health and wellbeing. It is hosted by Shawna Renee Madison. http://www.cocoamode.com/ 7) SoulTalk offers audio interviews and new music from the artists leading today’s independent soul revolution. On SoulTalk, you’ll hear contemporary soul legends like Rahsaan Patterson, Lalah Hathaway, Eric Roberson, Frank McComb, and Mint Condition and emerging artists like Sy Smith, Sol Edler, Raheem DeVaughn, and Conya Doss. Deborah Hinds hosts the show. http://www.soultalk.rhythmflow.net/home.html 8) Jodine's Corner Live feeds your spirit with soul music, art, and information about cultural events, artists, performers, musicians, and other talented folks. It is hosted by Jodine Dorce. http://www.jodinescorner.podomatic.com/ 9) Nlitened Health gives you enligtening holistic health information each Thursday at 7:00 pm EST. Tamika LaShelle hosts the show. http://www.blogtalkradio.com/Nlitenedsoulzradio 10) News & Notes is a NPR radio show hosted by Farai Chideya that discusses African American issues. It airs Monday through Friday. http://www.npr.org/templates/rundowns/rundown.php?prgId=11 11) NPR’s Tell Me More is a daily program hosted by Michel Martin that focuses on the way people live, intersect and collide in a culturally diverse world. The show covers politics, faith, spirituality, family, finance, arts, culture, and lifestyle. http://www.npr.org/templates/rundowns/rundown.php?prgId=46 12) NUBIA GODDESS RISING is a podcast on AKERU Global Radio that features metaphysical teachings, wisdom, practices, and life lessons. The podcast honors global women's empowerment and the return of the Mother Goddess energy to the planet. Each show ends with a brief meditation. The podcast hostess is Queen Mother IMAKHU, a metaphysical minister, healer, author, renowned storyteller musician, visual artist, performer, activist, columnist, and multimedia producer. http://queen_momma_imakhu.podOmatic.com/rss2.xml 13) "Greatness By Design" Radio Talk Show is aired on XM RADIO on Sundays from 4pm to 6pm (EST) on TAKE FIVE-Channel 155 - WOMEN'S TALK AND LIFESTYLE CHANNEL. The show is hosted by Blanche Williams and features the stories behind women and men of greatness. It also explores subjects that inspire, energize, and transform your life; from the inside-out. http://www.xmradio.com/ and http://www.greatnessbydesign.com/ 14) Health Diaries is a a podcast series created and hosted by Teresa Johnson to bring awareness of various health issues. http://gottitravel.podbean.com/ 15) Mixed Chicks Chat is a weekly podcast on Talkshoe.com about being racially and culturally mixed. Fanshen Cox and Heidi Durrow host the show each Wednesday at 5pm Eastern/2pm Pacific. http://www.talkshoe.com/tc/34257 and http://www.mixedchickschat.com/ 16) Goddess Roundtable is a weekly radio show that addresses women's issues from a holistic approach. Lady Finex hosts the show on Blogtalk Radio. http://www.blogtalkradio.com/goddessroundtable 17) The Recipe Box is a family-friendly program that spotlights the special memories, recipes and techniques of a guest chef. The guest chef cooks for a cause that he/she wants to make others aware of. Copies of recipes can be downloaded from the web site. Barbara Howard hosts the show. http://www.blogtalkradio.com/TheRecipeBox 18) Lit Law Podcast is a free bimonthly podcast that addresses key information and hot topics about copyright, trademark, publishing, and frequently asked questions. It is hosted by lawyer and author of Literary Law Guide for Authors: Copyright, Trademark and Contracts in Plain Language, Tonya Evans-Walls. http://www.literarylawguide.com/podcast 19) BAP Living Radio is a monthly Internet radio program that airs on the first Sunday of each month from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm EST. It features programs that discuss self-love, self-care, spirituality, health, finances, beauty, fashion, art, literature, music, culture, films, community service, entrepreneurialism, and so much more. Ananda Leeke hosts the show. http://www.talkshoe.com/tc/18598 20) Go Green Sangha Radio is a monthly Internet radio program that airs on the second Sunday of each month from 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm EST. It features programs that discuss how people choose and incorporate green living, mindfulness, diversity, and service in their daily lives. Ananda Leeke hosts the show. http://www.talkshoe.com/tc/21325 B. Blogs and Web Sites 1) Global Black Sisterhood a. http://www.sisterhoodagenda.com/ b. http://blackwomenunite.ning.com/ c. http://sistapreneurs.ning.com/ d. http://blackwomenineurope.ning.com/ e. http://blackwomenthink.ning.com/ f. http://theprofessionalblackwoman.ning.com/ g. http://www.myblackgirlsite.com/ h. http://www.thatblackgirlsite.com/ i. http://www.mykinkycreed.com/ j. http://quirkyblackgirls.ning.com/ k. http://sistatalk.ning.com/ 2) Spirituality and Food for Thought a. http://www.somethingwithin.com/blog b. http://www.charactercorner.blogspot.com/ c. http://zenundertheskin.typepad.com/ d. http://www.themastersvessel.com/ 3) Yoga, Reiki, Meditation, and Healing Arts a. http://www.blackyogateachers.com/ b. http://www.shaktimindbodystudio.com/ c. http://kgyoga.blogspot.com/ d. http://www.yogahive.org/ e. http://www.cocoaom.com/ f. http://ladyfinex.blogs4me.com/ g. http://shuyoga.ning.com/ h. http://avalaura.com/ i. http://www.myspace.com/sanctuaryphilly j. http://www.lovemovementhealingarts.com/ k. http://www.yogaforyouth.org/ l. http://www.shola.co.uk/yoga.htm m. http://www.mayabreuer.com/ n. http://www.ericarobinson.com/ o. http://www.powerofonecenter.com/ p. http://marukadc.com/ q. http://www.cityoga.biz/ r. http://www.ta-life.com/ s. http://www.essenceyoga.net/ t. http://www.jeannetteastrosoul.com/ u. http://www.houseofbastet.com/ v. http://www.gomamasita.com/ w. http://spiritofwellness.org/ x. http://www.hotmamafitnessstudio.com/ y. http://www.baghdadyoga.com/ z. http://www.yourrebirth.com/ 4) Politics, News, and Opinions a. http://blackwomenvote.blogspot.com/ b. http://whataboutourdaughters.blogspot.com/ c. http://thesavvysister.blogspot.com/ d. http://www.thatblackgirlblogging.typepad.com/ e. http://www.theladnerreportblog.blogspot.com/ f. http://newblackwoman.blogspot.com/ g. http://askthisblackwoman.com/ h. http://blackwomenblowthetrumpet.blogspot.com/ i. http://andersonatlarge.typepad.com/ j. http://yvonnebynoe.blogspot.com/ k. http://auntjemimasrevenge.blogspot.com/ l. http://michelleobamawatch.com/ m. http://www.pocketbookprotest.com/ n. http://pamshouseblend.com/ 5) Organizations Supporting Black Women and Girls (service, self-empowerment, self-care, self-love, self-esteem, self-development etc.) a. http://www.helpingourteengirls.org/ b. http://www.womenscollective.org/ c. http://www.ncnw.org/ d. http://www.sgrho1922.org/ e. http://www.aka1908.com/ f. http://www.deltasigmatheta.org/ g. http://www.zphib1920.org/ h. http://www.selfcarejustforme.com/ i. http://www.harrietsgirls.org/ j. http://www.nationalcongressbw.org/ k. http://www.blackwomenshealth.org/ 6) Beauty, Fashion, Popular Culture, and Lifestyle a. http://www.browngirlgumbo.blogspot.com/ b. http://girlyhomewebzine.com/ c. http://www.ashmagazine.com/ d. http://afrobella.com/ e. http://www.ambermag.com/ f. http://clutchmagonline.com/ g. http://www.thebudgetfashionista.com/ h. http://www.sassywomenonline.com/ i. http://www.belle-noir.com/ j. http://5andapossible.blogspot.com/ k. http://www.straightfromthea.com/ l. http://www.aroundharlem.com/ m. http://www.alltayo.com/ n. http://theblacksocialite.blogspot.com/ o. http://bmorebaplife.blogspot.com/ p. http://flyfunkydiva.blogspot.com/ q. http://www.whenawomansfedup.co.uk/ r. http://thesowingcircle.blogspot.com/ s. http://funkybrownchick.com/ t. http://www.thebrowngirljournal.blogspot.com/ u. http://brownsugar28.blogspot.com/ v. http://www.nappturality.com/ w. http://www.thegoddessfactory.blogspot.com/ x. http://www.mitzimoments.blogspot.com/ y. http://enjoyceinglife.blogspot.com/ z. http://www.urbanthoughtcollective.com/ 7) Home Decor a. http://www.pshomesd.com/ b. http://homesofcolor.net/ c. http://www.howwelive.biz/ d. http://www.sheilabridges.com/ e. http://www.thenestmaker.com/ f. http://bidslifestyle.ning.com/ g. http://www.lifestyledesigninteriors.com/ h. http://www.blackinteriordesigners.com/ 8) Travel, Leisure (wine and dining), and Event Planning a. http://www.bapworld.com/ b. http://www.divasuncorked.com/ c. http://sogood.tv/ d. http://www.rideauvineyard.com/index.php e. http://www.bsmith.com/ f. http://www.twojetsetdivas.com/ g. http://www.redbrikevents.com/ h. http://www.literarysignaturedinners.com/ 9) Poetry, Art, and Photography a. http://www.myspace.com/BWAFphilly b. http://delaleuverses.blogspot.com/ c. http://butterflymuse.blogspot.com/ d. http://poetmom.blogspot.com/ e. http://kiamshacom.blogspot.com/ f. http://www.reneestout.com/ g. http://www.myspace.com/jahipster h. http://www.myspace.com/terityme i. http://www.karawalker.com/ j. http://www.myspace.com/tarabettswrites k. http://www.betyesaar.net/ l. http://www.faithringgold.com/ m. http://www.sistagraphy.org/ n. http://www.thesaartjieproject.org/ o. http://www.myspace.com/nokturnalescape 10) Music a. http://www.juliedexter.com/ b. http://www.monicamcintyre.com/ c. http://www.doriaroberts.com/ d. http://www.ndambionline.com/ e. http://www.ayannagregory.com/beautiful_flower.swf f. http://www.thisislea.com/ g. http://www.myspace.com/maritrimusic h. http://www.sysmith.com/ i. http://www.myspace.com/afisoul j. http://sistashree.com/ k. http://www.blisslife.com/bliss/index.php l. http://www.toniblackman.com/ m. http://www.myspace.com/jscalesonbass n. http://www.divamilitia.com/ o. http://www.kathleenbertrand.com/ 11) Healthy Food, Healthy Eating Habits, Going Green, and Urban Sustainable Living a. http://www.myspace.com/trinitysgreenplate b. http://www.ayaintegrative.com/ c. http://www.gardengirltv.com/ d. http://soulvegfolk.ning.com/ e. http://www.queenafuaonline.com/ f. http://www.sistahveganproject.com/ g. http://www.quiskaeya.com/search/label/Green h. http://www.ssbx.org/ i. http://www.blackbrowngreen.com/pages/living.html j. http://blackbrowngreen.ning.com/ k. http://consciouslivingtv.com/ l. http://www.biancaalexander.tv/ m. http://blackandn2green.blogspot.com/ n. http://www.blacksingreen.org/ o. http://www.consciouscravers.blogspot.com/ p. http://www.ccworkshops.blogspot.com/ q. http://tendershootswellness.com/ r. http://gogreensangha.ning.com/ s. http://www.thebudgetecoist.com/ 12) Finances, Tax Planning and Services, and Legal Services for Creative Folks (writers, artists, and musicians) and Businesses a. http://www.michellesingletary.com/ b. http://www.cherylbroussard.com/ c. http://www.bridgforthfinancial.com/ d. http://fabulousfinancials.com/ e. http://miamiherald.typepad.com/frugalista f. http://www.msmoneysavvy.com/ g. http://www.taxconcepts.net/ h. http://www.terrelltaxandplanning.com/ i. http://www.literarylawguide.com/ j. http://www.literarylawguide.com/blog.htm 13) Pregnancy, Motherhood, Parenting, and Family a. http://www.mochamoms.org/ b. http://www.mochamanual.com/ c. http://www.bellamochababy.blogspot.com/ d. http://www.itskarmababy.com/ e. http://blackmomsclub.ning.com/ f. http://blackparentconnect.com/ g. http://www.mommytoo.com/ h. http://www.quiskaeya.com/ i. http://www.ebonymommy.com/blog j. http://www.mahoganybaby.com/ k. http://www.noirbaby.com/ l. http://ourkindofparenting.blogspot.com/ m. http://thefashionistaandbaby.com/ n. http://ebonymommy.com/reviews o. http://brownenglishmuffin.blogspot.com/ p. http://www.chroniclesofmommyhood.typepad.com/ q. http://bellyitch.blogspot.com/ r. http://mamalaw.blogspot.com/ 14) Literary Reviews and Book Clubs a. http://thebacklist.net/index/index.php b. http://www.mosaicmagazine.org/ c. http://www.bibookreview.com/ d. http://www.natcreole.com/ e. http://www.apooo.org/ f. http://www.aalbc.com/ g. http://www.rawsistaz.com/ h. http://www.allthebuzzreviews.com/

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