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:

I’m back snitches! I have been EXTREMELY busy at work and also blogging on BlackWeb2.0, so 6inchvinyl has suffered a little bit  I’m back to writing because I love music and I feel that this is my release in my stressful, demanding life. I saw a few tweets this past weekend such as R.I.P. Rap City. Now, I never watch BET but I find it amazing that 1. I missed the announcement that the show was cancelled and 2. That BET would be bold enough to completely do away with the show. Looking on the BET website, I saw a few videos of the finle and I did not realize how much history from the last two decades involving music could be found on Rap City – especially when I was listening to Hanson and N Sync growing up! I have always been amazed at the lack of appeal that BET has because the programming on the channel has declined in value over the years and the corresponding website for the channel is not up to par. Honestly, while some may view this as a sad time and may have withdrawals of rap and hip-hop videos, this was a good move for the channel! BET needs to totally be re-branded and it will take dramatic steps like cancelling shows to get viewers on board. In the early years of Rap City, the host of Teen Summit became the host of the show. Teen Summit was cancelled also, but I believe that shows that aid African Americans and provide information and/or show educated African Americans in a positive way is the type of programming BET needs to move towards. Brothers to Brutha, a show that recently premiered on BET, is one expample and it will take shows such as this to get the channel to meet the level of programming that is needed for positive progression.