I had the honor of being a part of an event called Digital Doyennes: Wisdom from the Women who Lead in Social Media and Digital Innovation. Sponsored by the Digital Moving Image Salon of Spelman College and Women in Film and Television in Atlanta WIFTA, Digital Doyennes featured five amazing women who are changing the landspace of the social media space. We participated in a panel discussion and explored a number of issues and opportunities that present themselves to those of us living and working in social media. We talked about having a personal voice online as well as ways to promote a brand or cause. We also discussed the voids that we saw online and the ways that blogging, the web, and social media presented arenas where we could make a difference. It was a spirited discussion with a group that represents social media and diversity. I was extremely thankful to sit amongst women whose accomplishments I have long admired.

In addition to myself, the panel featured the following women:

• Gina McCauley : Founder What About Our Daughters, Michelle Obama Watch, and the Blogging While Brown Conference
• Ananda Leeke: Attorney, Author, Blogger, Founder of Digital Sisterhood Month
• Angela Conyers Benton: CEO of Black Web Media
• Jacqui Chew: Principal of iFusion Marketing

Each panelist had their unique perspective of how social media has influenced them personally and professionally. We also detailed the work that we are involved in, how we feel women are influencing social media, as well as how social media will change in the future.

In true social media form, the event was live streamed so viewers could participate virtually and physically. If you did not have the opportunity to attend Digital Doyennes, you can view the recording below:

by The Weeknd: Just when I thought music could get no better with Frank Ocean, The Weeknd, whose real name is Abel Tesfaye, challenged me and won. The first album of what is expected to be a trilogy has completely changed my music game. The Weeknd completed 9 tracks, some lasting more than 7 minutes, that remind me of the sexuality that Rick James and Marvin Gaye shared through music in the 70s and 80s. This is not popular music. This music is dark and sensual. If you ever have a “memory” while playing a song off the album, TRUST me – the memory will last forever and you will so kindly be reminded every time you hear the track. Every song on the album is a winner. Each track presents a different mood and vibe, but is still sexy to the core.

I’m always in support of my youngins. The Weeknd is 20 and he gets it. He released House of Balloons on his website a couple weeks ago. He gave away this beautifully crafted masterpiece for free, allowing it to spread organically. The Weeknd has taken word of mouth marketing to a different level. People are talking about his music via social networks but no one knows what the man looks like! He could resemble a monster and I don’t think anyone would care at this point. If you were to do a Google search for “The Weeknd” a month ago, you would have gotten the result: >Did you mean: The Weekend. Now, the page is filled with results of the artist’s mentions including his website, Twitter page, Wikipedia entry (YES! He has a Wiki entry now…He’s Official!), blog posts and mainstream news. If The Weeknd is getting this much love off his first mixtape, I can only imagine what the two follow-up albums will bring. Also coming from Ontario, The Weeknd may just be the R&B version of Drake. If so, the future of R&B will forever be changed. Download and listen to the album that will change your life

This is my favorite song on the album…today that is:

by Frank Ocean: R&B has had an interesting turn the last few weeks. My cd player fell in love with Frank Ocean. The singer, song-writer, producer has delivered exactly what the music scene is missing. The words to one of his tracks, We All Try, got me hooked the first time I listened. More than the normal song topics of dating girls, going to the club, and popping bottles, Nostalgia, Ultra covers the controversial topics of abortion, sinning, and the not-so real fairytale American Wedding.

The super-creative type goes beyond traditional R&B chords to sampling songs by The Eagles, Coldplay and MGMT. The best sample, in my opinion, is B*tches Talkin which features Radiohead’s Optimistic. Although only a interlude, the track should have been a complete single.

The beauty of this album is that you can play it from beginning to end and feel something new everytime you listen. There are songs that you may only like and end up loving. Then, there are the songs that you think are a little weird and you find yourself singing allllll day. With a mixture of sounds and talent that reminds me of Ryan Leslie, Frank Ocean has a long future ahead of him. Check out one of my favorite tracks, Songs for Women, below and you can download the full album here.

P.S. Frank Ocan can never become first name status. “Frank” sounds whack. It sound’s like the name of somebody’s uncle. Frank Ocean is better. Frank O is dope