Almost 30

I seldom blog because I always think I'm too busy-- so what a more opportune time to sit and write a blog than when I am trying to get my life back in order...

One of my most memorable posts has been about the Ice Cream Man talking about the guy who always seems to have a hold on you no matter what, and oddly enough since that post there have been more reoccurrences of a new Ice Cream Man and that feeling/issue than I'd ever be comfortable revealing.

Over these past few years I have changed and grown in more ways than one, mentally, physically and socially but none more than spiritually.

When I say "get my life back in order" let me not exaggerate things haven't completely fell apart like Chinua Achebe's book or like the main character in a Richard Wright novel, I'd refer my current life status as a Terry McMillan character because shit just isn't going the way I thought it would be.

As I near my 30th year of life on this earth my perspective on things just really has changed and not because I honestly wanted it to but because that is LIFE and looking at my friends around me maybe I am the "New Black Woman": 30 something, no husband, no kids, career driven, multiple degrees, hustling and grinding, responsibilities higher than Mt Everest, lover of wine and trying to get a six-pack on a beer gut diet.

Don't get me wrong, for the most part I want all of those things I don't have-- seriously who doesn't want love-- but how do I truly have it all? It's a common conversation amongst my friends and I (even the married ones) how do I get this, that and the third without seeming greedy, unappreciative, or angry and sadly none of us know.

When I figure it out I'll be sure to blog about it but for now I'm pushing on one crunch at a time, sipping wine and enjoying life as it is... Pray for me ya'll!

Blogs I Love

One of my favorite Blogs has to be TheYBF.com (which stands for Young Black and Fabulous), a site that covers black celebrity news. Besides the fact that I love reading up on the "tea" of celeb gossip, I also love to follow this site because I began working with the creator early on in my career, just as she began her site and to see how far the brand has grown is amazing.
If I had one critique about the site, it would have to be the expanding ads withing the content. It's often flagged by my computer as spam and interrupts my browsing.
Otherwise, I love the site, it's content and layout.

Semester One

It's pretty hard to believe that I am almost finished with my very first semester of grad school and as I work on completing my final paper of the semester, I am intrigued to look back and realize how much as a communications professional we in every day life we take for granted some of the often overlooked aspects of communications.

From the skyscraper model to the understanding of digital convergence, my Introduction to Digital Communications course has left me yearning for more, eager to learn more and anticipating the endless possibilities of integrating these practices into my professional life.

The New Age of Advertisement

So one of the assignments for my most recent class involved researching advertisements and I came across what may have been the most genius ad campaign that I have seen to date.

Coke Zero partnered with Spotify to create this amazing interactive campaign that allowed consumers to not only interact with various types of ads, but also benefit from it and obtain free product. I could probably go on-and-on about how great this ad campaign was but the video speaks for itself!

Check it out here:

Internet Governance

There are in many ways that internet governance can be good and bad. In my class readings the material delved into the world of government regulation and it made me think a bit further to two examples of internet governance.

First is the governing of the internet by communist countries, which brought me to think about the idea of the digital gap. The inability of individuals to view the openness of the world wide web and broad ideas shared on the internet, simply puts individuals in those countries with strict and government regulated internet access on the cusp of the digital gap. Although they are not as left out as those who do not have access at all, they are missing the many opportunities to explore all the web has to offer.

Secondly, which hit closer to home is the idea of fantasy sports being regulated state by state here in the United States. As s player of fantasy sports I find it frustrating that government would take away my opportunity to partake in online fantasy sports.

What do you think about internet governance?

The future of Digital Journalism

In an ever evolving digital world it seems only logical that journalism, which is defined on google search as "the work and distribution of reports on the interaction of events, facts, ideas, and people that are the "news of the day" and that informs society" would too become digital.

As society continues to rely more and more on the ease of digital mediums, my ultimate hope is that digital journalism, would no longer be looked at as less credible, but as a more reliable source. But, that is not without some necessary improvements including better vetting processes, or ways to better determine what is actual news, gossip, satire and fiction.

Big Data...

I have recently enlisted a client to do a large joint email campaign with a company, and as the company was telling me the requirements for participating I realized... Ahh haa! Data mining is what the infamous opt-in lists are!

The more emails a company has of customers the more valuable those lists become and as my partner organization explained to us that they would only work with lists the same size or better than their 300,000 member list I was flabbergasted.

These emails are important to businesses because it's a way to continuously keep in contact with your consumers while also tracking engagement with the brand, and continuity based on those who continue to opt-in and those who choose to remove themselves from the lists.

Private or not...

How private is really private on the internet?

In today's digital world we are now faced with the question of what is private when it comes to the internet and how much should we really share.
As the popularity of social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat and Instagram continue to grow more and more of our lives live online, but when you put your privacy settings do they really work?

When I first joined social media, I never second guessed what I put up and always thought when I deleted something it was gone, but now I knew I was wrong.

The internet is like a never ending diary, keeping all of your secrets somewhat private, but if someone wanted to find it with the right tool, and knowledge they surely could.

Digital Language

I recently watched this interesting video which discussed the status of language in a digital world, and the discussion made me realize how much in my own life I often opt for the new norm or text language rather than spell something out.

I used to be so against all of the abbreviated words like HBD (Happy Birthday Day) and BRB (Be Right Back, but absolutely loved LOL. (Crazy right?)

But now I catch myself in texts and emails to friends using LOL, WYD, IMU and more.



Whoa, how things have changed...

Are You Social or Not...

This past week in my Intro to Digital Communications class everyone presented a snapshot of social media platforms and it really got me thinking about just how much of our lives revolve around the idea of being "social" in the digital realm, so much so that it has become the norm to even obtain an advanced educational degree without stepping foot in a traditional classroom.

As I prepared for my presentation I initially selected Blackplanet because I was interested to do some research and find out how far it had come since it's first inception and popularity in the early 2000's. But after looking at Solis' Conversation Prism I became even more intrigued by TED, which was listed under the adapting video section.

 Now I'll be honest I'm obsessed with TED Talks, especially anything about feminism, women's empowerment, women in business, entertainment or African American issues including social justices, but how was it a social media platform? So I did my research and wow was I amazed to learn that from it''s humble beginnings as a conference for thought makers to this international platform for social innovation and the dissemination of ideas and discussions, I came to see that TED, was indeed a social media platform, utilizing other platforms to disseminated it's message along the way.

How Genius!!!

Here are two of my favorite TED Talks:

The Digital Age

It's so crazy to think that in my lifetime we have gone from internet really being a novelty to it now being an integral part or my day-to-day life.

My earliest memories of learning how to do book reports and projects always started with picking a topic and sitting down to look through an encyclopedia, combing through the many pages of the many books to figure out academic information to present. When I started middle school it became a big deal that the school had received a grant to put internet all throughout the building and also purchased new Apple computers in the classrooms and fully upgraded the computer lab.

Between the fifth and eight grade the computer and internet became my norm, at home and at school. At school we became more immersed in the interactive world playing Oregon Trail, learning to type proficiently and how to search the internet. As I grew older and more mature, so did the internet, becoming this bigger and better entity. By high school I couldn't imagine a world without cell phone, computer to check my new AOL email address and my leisure walk to the virtue game life with the SIMS. even my research evolved as I slowly stopped using the print encyclopedias and moved on the the also static but digital CD-Rom version.

Looking back at my evolution through the internet, I realized the big difference between Web 2.0 and Web 3.0, the strides which have been a made and the growth possibilities of a digital age.

New Chapter-- New Year -- Not the Same ME!

Wowsers, it's really been a long time since I've blogged and now as it's a part of my newest endeavor I will surely be blogging a bit more (or at least once a week for the next 11 weeks).

A bit of a reintroduction-- (Yes all over)

I'm still a 20-something Brooklyn-Girl, back living in New York City, still working as a publicist (sports, non-profit and hospitality) but now a student at the Syracuse University's Communications @ Newhouse graduate program.

Over the next few weeks I will blog about my experiences as a graduate student as it pertains to my Introduction to Digital Communication class.

Fresh off the first class I have to be honest, my nerves haven't eased up as I've been out of school for almost over seven years- but my first experience as a grad school student wasn't as bad as I thought.

We began the discussion about digital convergence and as I write this post I chuckled knowing that it is because of digital convergence that I will be able to share this with so many people and they can all read it with ease, at their own leisure.

Tune in next week to hear more about my journey and learn more about the wide world of digital communications.

Till next time...

Ayana
The Brooklyn Girl

Life Changes

It's been a little more than two years since I last wrote on this blog, and boy what a long and eventful two years that has been.

So much growth has taken place within me, mental and spiritually, allowing me to see the world in so many different ways.

I make no promises to myself to do this on a regular basis but honestly this seems like the best forum for me to express so many of the things that have begun to happen in my life!

Since it's been so long, it only seems fitting to re-introduce myself... I'm Yana, a 20 something Brooklyn Girl, with a burgeoning yet stagnant career in Sports & Entertainment PR and newly acquired publishing digital marketing career, making my way through this jungle we call life with daily prayers, late night wine drinking, occasional couch standing and tons of laughs (if you don't laugh at yourself who will?).

When Did You First Fall in Love with Hip-Hop?

It's not often that I'm inclined to immediately write about something I've experienced but this night was totally different. Today in the mist of another -let's just call it- "work" shindig full of phoney double sided air kisses and "hey hunns" because you forgot or didn't care enough to remember someones name I remember what drove me into this industry... As I stood there feet aching and weave tangling Doug E. Fresh took to the stage with Hip-Hop's elite afficianado's (I mean the guys who were doing this before spitting on a track and demanding 45g's was event thought of) reminding why, when & how I fell in love with this immense cultural phenomenon. As he so easily let loose those beats from his throat out his lips and Grandmaster Caz spitting with the help of others as Big Daddy Kane threw all types of old lady catching sexy out with his voice and DJ Chuck Chillout supported on the 1's & 2's... I remebered! This is what I always wanted to be around; true music. The music that makes you feel so good you dance, regardless if you have rythme and sing so loud that you can barely hear the performer himself. This was truely it! I had come into this industry in search of being around and rediscovering true music (i.e. Cindafella, The Bridge is Over or Roxanne's Revenge). Meeting a woman who was able to make the industry work for her in Roxanne Shante, discussing the industry as she looked at an old photo with 80's braid laced with a name plate barette is priceless.

The things you learn... Life always take you places to give youa little reminder and today was mine! It was like the lyrics of Common's "I Used to Love H.E.R." were blasting in my ear because at that point I realized I loved Hip Hop like no relationship because I knew in our relationship it wold never leave me... Cd, vinyl, cassette tape I'd always have it & it would always have me... HIP-HOP Thank you!

The Judicial System-- A beacon of justice or soapbox for personal standpoints

At first I was very hesitant to even blog about the issue that my good friend has been going through but after sitting in the courtroom and experiencing the apparent unjust set forth by the West Virginia Judicial system I felt the need to express my feelings.

Ever since I was little I always believed that the courts were fair -- took murders and rapist off the streets all while giving a fair and speedy trials. (I grew up in a rough neighborhood, so I seen and heard a lot of people having to go in and out of the courts and lockup.) But not until these past two years have I ever seen such abuse and outside factors affect how the law is interpreted. Because of what was going on I had become more interested in the judicial system, sentencing and life behind bars via research into similar cases or hours/days filled with C-Span or "Lockup" the television series. I just had to know as much a possible; I didn't want my friend in this alone. I guess you can say I became a bit obsessed-- I realized this when a librarian asked me if I was studying for law school because she had seen me looking up so many law text books and case studies. From all my research one thing became obvious that judges take into consideration a persons whole character in deciding their fate, including past actions and lifestyle. Only in the most severe of cases had I seen a first time offender receive the maximum sentence, yet on April 20 I heard a judge sentence my friend to the maximum sentence available, plus extreme amounts of restitution and cart her off to jail without even the ability to say goodbye to her family and friends.

Did the judge had her own personal vendetta? Was justice really served? Had she even taken into consideration the events that lead up to the accident? Was this trial really speedy and just?

I don't believe so! Not once will I ever excuse what happened the night in question; but I will say for every action there is a reaction and the events leading up had some part to play in what happened whether good or bad.

Ranked among the worst in the country I now am a firm believer that West Virginia's Judicial system is still in the past-- somewhat unable to see past lines we all believed were gone including race, orientation, origin and family lineage.

Signing out...

Brooklyn Girl**

LBD101- To Get IT or Not

After having some insightful (yet funny) conversations with a few friends and family, I have come to understand that not everyone is meant to be Stylish, Trendy or Fashionable. For me, I developed a style that I creatively made work for me ever since I began clubbing in NYC some years ago--way before many of my friends. If you ask anyone who knows me, my “getting dressed up” attire consists of four key items:

o LBD (Little Black Dress)

o Killer HIGH Heels

o Statement Jewelry (Usually Pearls)

o Clutch

Sounds simple right? Wrong! No matter where I travel or what type of club I visit there is always one or two women who just totally get the LBD look wrong. Seriously ladies? Here’s a few tips I’ve picked up over the years that helped me below!

Common misconceptions of wearing the LBD:

• Black makes you look skinny-- NO it's just a bad myth; truth is we're not all Sessilee Lopez' so my quick fix tip is SPANX

• Every LBD is the same-- NO All dresses are made differently and not meant for every body shape

• Black on Black always looks GREAT-- NO sometimes there are different shades of black and in pictures or to a keen fashion eye it looks off. If all Black is a must keep it loose and if possible try breaking it up with jewelry (silver, gold, wood or pearls).

Fashion is about experimentation and research. See what's in style this season, try new things, try old things; mix high end and inexpensive... Most importantly be comfortable in what you’re wearing! A great outfit can make even the worst day a little bit better!

Check out a few of my favorite LBD ensembles!

Happy Dressings,

x0Xo Brooklyn Girl

Ice Cream Man

Growing up everyone loves the Ice Cream Man. The first sound of that classic jingle sparks off the thought of summer days and the greatest fun of the year. A feeling that seems to never fade as one grows older even if masked deep inside. No matter what you do that catchy jingle and the thought of the greatest childhood feeling—sitting on the curb or stoop accompanied by your best friends and the greatest ice cream cone extra sprinkles with no care in the world.

Funny to compare the two but the same is true for that one individual as you get older, that no matter how long they’ve been gone out of your life or how much you try to push the mere memory of them away they always seem to enable a warm sensitive feeling within that only they can erupt. Our own personal Ice Cream Man (Woman) to be quiet frank. A love that has passed and piece of you that will always remain with another-- every person has this whether it be a teacher or childhood crush to ones first love or first sexual partner or relationship with great memories; there’s an Ice Cream Man that just reminds you of sweet days past.

Everyone’s Ice Cream experience was different and the results of the relationship are just as much of a mystery for each of us. Who knows if we’ll ever grow out of this fascination becoming lactose intolerant or being able to continue to enjoy the sweet treats forever?

So Ice Cream Men… Good or Bad? You make the choice but be appreciative of them no matter what because at one point it was the sweetest moment even if just for a split second.

xoxo Brooklyn Girl

Finding my Inner HAPPY

Over these past few years I have began to come into myslf and find who I truely am. Along the way I have realized some thing worked and others don't-- how personal growth can effect all aspects of life including career and love. With the growth of my inner sexy I have become more confident and more sure of the person I want to become...

Here are a few tips that I found worked on my personal journey:
Faith- Finding belief in a higher being whether it be GOD, ALLAH, YAHWEH, JAH, BUDDAH or any other entity commonly or uncommonly found to give spiritual guidance.
Family- Family is not always defined by bloodline but that of the relationship between you and individuals. The development of love, trust and happiness.
Friends- Having amazing people in your corner to help you through difficulty, tell you when your wrong, hold you when you cry and laugh when you fall while helping you up.

I truly encourage everyone to find your inner HAPPY! It's an amazing feeling to be genuinely happy! Don't forget I'm not an expert just someone on this amazing journey of life finding out how great life can be!

xoxo Brooklyn Girl

New Years 2011 DMV Style

This was the first time I had ever spent a holiday away from my tight knit family but I can't say that I may be the last! Everyone says that their friends are amazing and they wouldn't have it any other wayl so I guess I'll stick to that saying and let it ride. Over this past few years I have lost friends gained friends and re-evaluated freindships from the ground up. I was always told that some of your greatest friends come from your college years and I am now a believer.

Ringing in the year 2011 with two of my amazing best friends Caramel, VanillaBean and Menzana along with Brother-from-another BEAR & his teammates from the Washington Redskins and crew was one of the best experiences of my life! Check out some of the pics from the weekend.

Brooklyn Girl 2011

Happy NEW YEAR!!!! Today I decided to take charge once again on this journey we call life. Not in the sense that I had ever lost myself but in the sense that I am going to do things my way to make sure I am the happiest me I could ever be! I've allowed many outside influences and people in who have not been for the better but it's time to purge of them and move forward. It's great to have great friends, amazing family and faith in the Lord nothing in this world is impossible! Take Charge and LIVE LARGE!