Speaker Spotlight: Kiratiana Freelon

Who is Kiratiana Freelon? A travel expert, Olympic enthusiast, journalist, speaker, and author. Kiratiana first caught the travel bug as a 20 year-old college student studying abroad in Munich, Germany. After graduating from Harvard University with a bachelor’s degree in economics, she was awarded a prestigious fellowship that took her across West Africa, Brazil and Europe. Feeling the need to share her experiences and encourage others to engage in impactful cultural exploration while traveling, she authored her first travel focused book, aptly entitled, "Kiratiana’s Travel Guide to Black Paris: Get Lost and Get Found."

As an author, she has written for Jet Magazine, The Grio, BlackAtlas.com, Bonjourparis.com. As a journalist, she has covered the Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games in Beijing (2008) and London (2012). As an expert on exploring global culture, she has been featured in many prominent media outlets, including the New York Times, Black Enterprise, the Chicago Defender, NABJ Digital blog, and Black Web 2.0. And, as a speaker, she has presented at South by South West (SXSW), and Blogalicious.

Kiratiana's unique approach and perspective is catching the attention of various social media pundits, and just recently, her efforts in travel-focused digital media landed her on Black Enterprise’s list of "Top Black People in Tech to Follow on Twitter" and “Top Black Travelers to Follow on Twitter.” Kiratiana’s most recent venture is an eBook, launched in the spirit of the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, entitled, "Kiratiana’s Travel Guide to Multicultural London." She launched a $6,000 Kickstarter campaign to support the project.

Kiratiana recently launched a tumblr, http://blackindiekick.tumblr.com/, which features Indiegogo and Kickstarter projects by black people or about black people.

Speaker Spotlight: Carolyn Edgar

Carolyn is a New York City attorney and writer who blogs about social issues, family issues and relationships on her self-titled blog, Carolyn Edgar (http://carolynedgar.com). She has contributed to publications including CNN.com and Huffington Post. Her media appearances include NPR’s “Tell Me More” with Tony Cox, The Michael Baisden Show (syndicated), The Al Butler Show on WURD 900 (Philadelphia, PA), and the podcast "Work Stew" hosted by Kate Gace Walton. Carolyn also co-hosts "The Black n Bougie Network" with author Michele Grant ofBlacknBougie.com.

Carolyn will be facilitating the workshop Blogging for the love of the blog along with Deesha Philyaw. Welcome!

Speaker Spotlight: Kellep Charles

Kellep  is the creator and Executive Editor of SecurityOrb.com (@SecurityOrb), an information security & privacy knowledge-based website with the mission to share and raise awareness of the motives, tools and tactics of the hacker community, and provide best practices and counter measures against malicious events.

Kellep has appeared and made regular contributions to local media outlets such as PGCTV, WPGC 95.5 FM, Politc365.com, WPFW 89.3 and the examiner.com to discuss technology, security, and privacy matters.

Kellep works as a government contractor in the Washington, DC area as an Information Security Analyst with over 15 years of experience in the areas of incident response, computer forensics, security assessments, malware analyst and security operations.

Currently he is completing his Doctorate in Information Assurance at Capitol College with a concentration in Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) and Human Computer Interaction (HCI). He also holds a Master of Science in Telecommunication Management from the University of Maryland University College and a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from North Carolina Agriculture and Technical State University.

Kellep will be joining Blogging While Brown this Summer and facilitating the workshop Security, Privacy and Safety Tips for your Wordpress Blog. Welcome Kellep!​

Speaker Spotlight: Trezanay M. Atkins

Trezanay M. Atkins is the creator of The Brand Infringement Firm, a law firm that helps pastors, entertainers, fashion designers, and athletes when they have to fight for how their name, talent, and brand should be used. 

Before forming The Brand Infringement Firm, Ms. Atkins practiced in Los Angeles in the litigation departments of two international law firms, where she participated in all phases of litigation representing matters in the film industry. While attending law school, Ms. Atkins worked in the business and legal affairs department of CMG Worldwide, a leading intellectual property rights corporation, where she advised clients of their rights in trademark, copyright, and right of publicity. She also negotiated license agreements for the use of intellectual property in advertising, film, television, and radio usage. She also negotiated merchandising and endorsement agreements on behalf of clients. In addition to contract work, Ms. Atkins negotiated settlement agreements for infringements of property rights - saving clients thousands of dollars in legal fees by avoiding the courtroom. 

Very active in professional organizations, Trezanay is currently a member of the American Bar Association, Entertainment and Sports Forum, Marion County Bar Association (MCBA), Black Entertainment and Sports Lawyers Association (BESLA), Black Women Lawyers of Los Angeles (BWL) and Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. 

Committed to service through community, faith and family Trezanay resides in Indiana. During her free time, Ms. Atkins performs music and enjoys the music of others. She is a classically trained vocalist. In addition to solo vocal performance, she has been a part of jazz, chamber, and gospel ensembles. It is her passion for music that drives her legal practice. 

She is an active member in the religious community and is committed to serving churches, pastors, and other faith-based organizations in their business and intellectual property needs.

Trezanay will be presenting When Keeping It Real Goes Real Wrong! at Blogging While Brown. Welcome!​

Speaker Spotlight: Luvvie Ajay

Luvvie Ajay is a writer, social media strategist and techie from Chicago. She's been blogging for 10 years, and is behind the award-winning pop culture and humor blog, AwesomelyLuvvie.com. Luvvie’s a former columnist for EBONY.com and has contributed her writing to Clutch Magazine and Uptown Magazine. She’s also winner of the Women’s Media Center 2012 Social Media Award.

Her background is in Communications and New Media, and as a social media strategist, she helps clients figure out how to use the various online tools to further their missions. She has presented at several conferences over the years on these topics. They include: The Nonprofit Technology Conference, BlogHer, AFTRA Broadcast Conference, Chicago Social Media Summit, and the Social Media For Nonprofits Conference, among others.

Luvvie is passionate about social justice and is addicted to shoes. She combined these loves and founded The Red Pump Project (Red Pump) with Karyn Watkins in March 2009. Red Pump is a national nonprofit organization that raises awareness about the impact of HIV/AIDS on women and girls, using red shoes! Their work has earned them a Congressional Record from the U.S. House of Representatives as well as recognition from the City of Chicago Council and much more.

Luuvie will be presenting the workshop "Turning your brand up to 11 with a Podcast" at Blogging While Brown this year.​

Attendee Spotlight: Savvy Brown

Our Attendee Spotlight is on: Savvy Brown

What do you hope to experience at BWB 2013?

Networking, Affiliate Marketing, and blog monetization.

Why did you decide to start a blog?

I believe being healthy doesn't have to be complicated, being green can be easy, and being broke isn't an option. I wanted to share my continuing journey with others and get help along the way.

Are there specific types of bloggers you are interested in connecting with at the conference?

Green and tech bloggers.

What are your top blogging tips for other bloggers?

No post should be more than 800 words. Readers LOVE lists. Quality content will bring readers back repeatedly.

Where do you see you and your blog in 5 years?

Brand expansion into products, media, and books.

Do you need something from your fellow bloggers to take your blogging to the next level?

Blog monetization ideas.

This will be Savvy Brown’s first time at Blogging While Brown, so head over to her blog and share her some support!

Attendee Spotlight: Sister Stephanie of The Sister Source

Our Attendee Spotlight is on: Sister Stephanie of The Sister Source

What do you hope to experience at BWB 2013?

Network with more experienced bloggers; learn more about SEO; learn more about how to get followers/readers; and meet potential contributors.

Why did you decide to start a blog?

I wanted to be a voice for women of color that are so often overlooked in the policy landscape.

Are there specific types of bloggers you are interested in connecting with at the conference?

Women and political bloggers.

What are your top blogging tips for other bloggers?

It is good to see learn from more experienced bloggers. Take your time and do it right.

Where do you see you and your blog in 5 years?

Hopefully a major player in the policy scene---a place where national political candidates will come to 'court' women of color.

Do you need something from your fellow bloggers to take your blogging to the next level?

Advice!

This will be Sister Stephanie’s first time at Blogging While Brown, so head over to her blog and show her some support!

BWB Founder Gina McCauley on Black Enterprise March/April Cover!

Be sure to pick up the March/April issue of Black Enterprise to see Blogging While Brown founder Gina McCauley on the cover! Gina was chosen along with other “Leading Texas Tech” entrepreneurs to grace the cover of the magazine. Known to many in the tech field, Gina was handpicked because of her passion and commitment to Blogging While Brown! Black Enterprise is the premier business, investing, and wealth-building resource for African Americans. Since 1970, they have provided essential business information and advice to professionals, corporate executives, entrepreneurs, and decision makers.

Congratulations Gina!

To celebrate this cover feature we are offering a LIMITED OFFER on all ticket sales to the upcoming conference! Use the code “BECOVER” up until April 1 to receive $30 off tickets purchased for Blogging While Brown! So, what are you waiting for? Purchase your tickets today; this is a conference you don’t want to miss!