hi so my name is lovey and I’m excited to be here second time BVI first time in
to be here second time BVI first time in
to be here second time BVI first time in road town so today I’m talking about
road town so today I’m talking about
road town so today I’m talking about writing blogging my journey and how it’s
writing blogging my journey and how it’s
writing blogging my journey and how it’s kind of taking me places I never would
kind of taking me places I never would
kind of taking me places I never would have thought so I was born and raised in
have thought so I was born and raised in
have thought so I was born and raised in Nigeria and when I was nine we moved to
Nigeria and when I was nine we moved to
Nigeria and when I was nine we moved to the u.s. first of all nobody told me we
the u.s. first of all nobody told me we
the u.s. first of all nobody told me we were moving like we usually go on
were moving like we usually go on
were moving like we usually go on vacation we had gone on vacation twice
vacation we had gone on vacation twice
vacation we had gone on vacation twice before in the u.s. spent like two weeks
before in the u.s. spent like two weeks
before in the u.s. spent like two weeks this time we moved my mom enrolled me in
this time we moved my mom enrolled me in
this time we moved my mom enrolled me in school and I was like oh we’re staying
school and I was like oh we’re staying
school and I was like oh we’re staying and when we stayed we lost touch with
and when we stayed we lost touch with
and when we stayed we lost touch with everybody we weren’t able to keep in
everybody we weren’t able to keep in
everybody we weren’t able to keep in touch you know you like gonna take an
touch you know you like gonna take an
touch you know you like gonna take an exit again I didn’t know we were going
exit again I didn’t know we were going
exit again I didn’t know we were going permanently so I guess a proper goodbyes
permanently so I guess a proper goodbyes
permanently so I guess a proper goodbyes we lost touch with a lot of people one
we lost touch with a lot of people one
we lost touch with a lot of people one of those people my first ever best
of those people my first ever best
of those people my first ever best friend that was 1994 that we moved to
friend that was 1994 that we moved to
friend that was 1994 that we moved to the United States and 13 years later I’m
the United States and 13 years later I’m
the United States and 13 years later I’m on Facebook and I see a message from a
on Facebook and I see a message from a
on Facebook and I see a message from a name I’d never forget and it’s my friend
name I’d never forget and it’s my friend
name I’d never forget and it’s my friend told me who was my first ever best
told me who was my first ever best
told me who was my first ever best friend we’d been best when two or three
friend we’d been best when two or three
friend we’d been best when two or three hadn’t talked to her in 13 years and she
hadn’t talked to her in 13 years and she
hadn’t talked to her in 13 years and she found me on Facebook and I believe that
found me on Facebook and I believe that
found me on Facebook and I believe that was the first time I really was like
was the first time I really was like
was the first time I really was like this social media thing there’s there’s
this social media thing there’s there’s
this social media thing there’s there’s some power here it is the great
some power here it is the great
some power here it is the great connector so growing up since I was like
connector so growing up since I was like
connector so growing up since I was like five if you asked me what do you want to
five if you asked me what do you want to
five if you asked me what do you want to be I’d be like doctor cuz I was smart I
be I’d be like doctor cuz I was smart I
be I’d be like doctor cuz I was smart I was bookish I was proud of it people
was bookish I was proud of it people
was bookish I was proud of it people projected on me we’re like you’re gonna
projected on me we’re like you’re gonna
projected on me we’re like you’re gonna be a doctor because you’re super smart
be a doctor because you’re super smart
be a doctor because you’re super smart and I was like yes I’m gonna be a doctor
and I was like yes I’m gonna be a doctor
and I was like yes I’m gonna be a doctor I was commit it to that dream that’s
I was commit it to that dream that’s
I was commit it to that dream that’s what I knew so I started college in 2002
what I knew so I started college in 2002
what I knew so I started college in 2002 I went to Nebraska Illinois in
I went to Nebraska Illinois in
I went to Nebraska Illinois in urbana-champaign and my major was
urbana-champaign and my major was
urbana-champaign and my major was psychology premed
psychology premed
psychology premed I’m still in love with psychology I
I’m still in love with psychology I
I’m still in love with psychology I think senior of high school and the
think senior of high school and the
think senior of high school and the pre-med piece that commitment to the
pre-med piece that commitment to the
pre-med piece that commitment to the dream and the chemistry happened
yeah second semester freshman year I
yeah second semester freshman year I took chemistry 101 which is the required
took chemistry 101 which is the required
took chemistry 101 which is the required chemistry you have to take if you’re a
chemistry you have to take if you’re a
chemistry you have to take if you’re a pre-med major I went to office hours
pre-med major I went to office hours
pre-med major I went to office hours I got tutoring and I got a deep I had
I got tutoring and I got a deep I had
I got tutoring and I got a deep I had never gotten a D before in my whole
never gotten a D before in my whole
never gotten a D before in my whole academic career
academic career
academic career I got a D so I was like I need to have a
I got a D so I was like I need to have a
I got a D so I was like I need to have a come-to-jesus moment with myself I don’t
come-to-jesus moment with myself I don’t
come-to-jesus moment with myself I don’t even like hospitals so this whole being
even like hospitals so this whole being
even like hospitals so this whole being a doctor thing it’s probably not gonna
a doctor thing it’s probably not gonna
a doctor thing it’s probably not gonna happen so I dropped the pre-med I kept
happen so I dropped the pre-med I kept
happen so I dropped the pre-med I kept the psychology but what I didn’t realize
the psychology but what I didn’t realize
the psychology but what I didn’t realize was another dream was unfolding right
was another dream was unfolding right
was another dream was unfolding right before my eyes so that same semester my
before my eyes so that same semester my
before my eyes so that same semester my friends peer pressured me to start in a
friends peer pressured me to start in a
friends peer pressured me to start in a web blog back I knew was called web
web blog back I knew was called web
web blog back I knew was called web blogging and he was on xanga it’s this
blogging and he was on xanga it’s this
blogging and he was on xanga it’s this old platform that reminds me of MySpace
old platform that reminds me of MySpace
old platform that reminds me of MySpace so I started this blog and he was
so I started this blog and he was
so I started this blog and he was talking about college life all the
talking about college life all the
talking about college life all the random shenanigans I was getting into
random shenanigans I was getting into
random shenanigans I was getting into who I wasn’t beat who I wasn’t liking
who I wasn’t beat who I wasn’t liking
who I wasn’t beat who I wasn’t liking that day exams I wasn’t studying for and
that day exams I wasn’t studying for and
that day exams I wasn’t studying for and this blog was just something that I just
this blog was just something that I just
this blog was just something that I just loved to do it was a hobby so when I
loved to do it was a hobby so when I
loved to do it was a hobby so when I graduate from college I deleted that
graduate from college I deleted that
graduate from college I deleted that blog sounds like I’ve grown this I moved
blog sounds like I’ve grown this I moved
blog sounds like I’ve grown this I moved two blocks got an upgrade and I started
two blocks got an upgrade and I started
two blocks got an upgrade and I started what is now awesomely lucky calm that
what is now awesomely lucky calm that
what is now awesomely lucky calm that was August 2006
was August 2006
was August 2006 so that blog I started talking about pop
so that blog I started talking about pop
so that blog I started talking about pop culture
culture
culture Hollywood random adventures less about
Hollywood random adventures less about
Hollywood random adventures less about my personal life
my personal life
my personal life and it was interesting because I
and it was interesting because I
and it was interesting because I switched once I hit this mark in my life
switched once I hit this mark in my life
switched once I hit this mark in my life and I was like okay I’m gonna I’m gonna
and I was like okay I’m gonna I’m gonna
and I was like okay I’m gonna I’m gonna upgrade my writing and I did by day when
upgrade my writing and I did by day when
upgrade my writing and I did by day when I graduated I was a marketing
I graduated I was a marketing
I graduated I was a marketing coordinator for a non-profit in Chicago
coordinator for a non-profit in Chicago
coordinator for a non-profit in Chicago by night I would come home and I would
by night I would come home and I would
by night I would come home and I would write sometimes once a week but once a
write sometimes once a week but once a
write sometimes once a week but once a week became twice a week – comments from
week became twice a week – comments from
week became twice a week – comments from my friends who read my blog became 20
my friends who read my blog became 20
my friends who read my blog became 20 comments from perfect strangers who
comments from perfect strangers who
comments from perfect strangers who didn’t know who I was so this thing was
didn’t know who I was so this thing was
didn’t know who I was so this thing was getting traction
getting traction
getting traction and I kept on writing I kept on writing
and I kept on writing I kept on writing
and I kept on writing I kept on writing expected nothing 2009 I think is when
expected nothing 2009 I think is when
expected nothing 2009 I think is when like the tides kind of turn you know
like the tides kind of turn you know
like the tides kind of turn you know when you can pick a time when like you
when you can pick a time when like you
when you can pick a time when like you go from here to like here a little bit
go from here to like here a little bit
go from here to like here a little bit that was that year for me so in that
that was that year for me so in that
that was that year for me so in that year I want my first ever award and it
year I want my first ever award and it
year I want my first ever award and it was the black weblog award in the
was the black weblog award in the
was the black weblog award in the popular category for Best humor blog and
popular category for Best humor blog and
popular category for Best humor blog and even though my site was popular I
even though my site was popular I
even though my site was popular I thought as my friends just reading it
thought as my friends just reading it
thought as my friends just reading it and then a couple of other people but
and then a couple of other people but
and then a couple of other people but when I won this I was like oh keep
when I won this I was like oh keep
when I won this I was like oh keep paying attention that same year I
paying attention that same year I
paying attention that same year I started the red pump project which is a
started the red pump project which is a
started the red pump project which is a blogging campaign to get my blogger
blogging campaign to get my blogger
blogging campaign to get my blogger friends to talk about HIV and AIDS and
friends to talk about HIV and AIDS and
friends to talk about HIV and AIDS and how it affects women meet my friend
how it affects women meet my friend
how it affects women meet my friend Karen got together to come up with this
Karen got together to come up with this
Karen got together to come up with this idea because we both know people who are
idea because we both know people who are
idea because we both know people who are affected by the epidemic so on March 10
affected by the epidemic so on March 10
affected by the epidemic so on March 10 2009 135 bloggers joined us do that this
2009 135 bloggers joined us do that this
2009 135 bloggers joined us do that this thing that started the campaign became a
thing that started the campaign became a
thing that started the campaign became a national organization so 2010 at this
national organization so 2010 at this
national organization so 2010 at this point I’ve been blogging for seven years
point I’ve been blogging for seven years
point I’ve been blogging for seven years yes seven years I got laid off my
yes seven years I got laid off my
yes seven years I got laid off my full-time job I was like oh I wasn’t
full-time job I was like oh I wasn’t
full-time job I was like oh I wasn’t ready for that but it was really the
ready for that but it was really the
ready for that but it was really the universe pushing me to take the leap of
universe pushing me to take the leap of
universe pushing me to take the leap of faith I was gonna take myself I like
faith I was gonna take myself I like
faith I was gonna take myself I like checks okay I like knowing where they’re
checks okay I like knowing where they’re
checks okay I like knowing where they’re coming from every two weeks coming no I
coming from every two weeks coming no I
coming from every two weeks coming no I got laid off my job and all of a sudden
got laid off my job and all of a sudden
got laid off my job and all of a sudden I’m like okay what now how I kept my
I’m like okay what now how I kept my
I’m like okay what now how I kept my head above water was because of my
head above water was because of my
head above water was because of my marketing background my communications
marketing background my communications
marketing background my communications background I was able to teach other
background I was able to teach other
background I was able to teach other people how to use social media and how
people how to use social media and how
people how to use social media and how to do what I’ve been doing for a while
to do what I’ve been doing for a while
to do what I’ve been doing for a while for themselves so it kind of kept me
for themselves so it kind of kept me
for themselves so it kind of kept me afloat but here’s the thing it wasn’t
afloat but here’s the thing it wasn’t
afloat but here’s the thing it wasn’t enough to keep me like I should have it
enough to keep me like I should have it
enough to keep me like I should have it together okay
together okay
together okay it wasn’t shoo habit money it was like
it wasn’t shoo habit money it was like
it wasn’t shoo habit money it was like okay you’re not homeless money alright
okay you’re not homeless money alright
okay you’re not homeless money alright but I kept on writing one year later I
but I kept on writing one year later I
but I kept on writing one year later I realize more people were paying
realize more people were paying
realize more people were paying attention to the site brands started
attention to the site brands started
attention to the site brands started hitting me up and say hey want to work
hitting me up and say hey want to work
hitting me up and say hey want to work with you but I thought why am I doing
with you but I thought why am I doing
with you but I thought why am I doing this if I’m still struggling why am I
this if I’m still struggling why am I
this if I’m still struggling why am I still writing every single day
still writing every single day
still writing every single day or write this little blog when I could
or write this little blog when I could
or write this little blog when I could still I still don’t have enough cash
still I still don’t have enough cash
still I still don’t have enough cash like really live but quitting was not an
like really live but quitting was not an
like really live but quitting was not an option because every single time I would
option because every single time I would
option because every single time I would want to quit I would get a note from
want to quit I would get a note from
want to quit I would get a note from somebody who reads my blog who’s like
somebody who reads my blog who’s like
somebody who reads my blog who’s like hey yeah so reading your blog but I was
hey yeah so reading your blog but I was
hey yeah so reading your blog but I was sitting in the waiting room as my mom
sitting in the waiting room as my mom
sitting in the waiting room as my mom got chemotherapies the reason why I
got chemotherapies the reason why I
got chemotherapies the reason why I wasn’t crying or somebody who emailed me
wasn’t crying or somebody who emailed me
wasn’t crying or somebody who emailed me and said reading your blog was the first
and said reading your blog was the first
and said reading your blog was the first time I was able to smile in six months
time I was able to smile in six months
time I was able to smile in six months as I was going through a depressive
as I was going through a depressive
as I was going through a depressive episode and then my oldest reader who I
episode and then my oldest reader who I
episode and then my oldest reader who I think is my orders reader 92 years old
she’s been reading my blog since 2007
she’s been reading my blog since 2007 she was losing her vision and actually
she was losing her vision and actually
she was losing her vision and actually lost her vision she told her
lost her vision she told her
lost her vision she told her granddaughter I need you to call me
granddaughter I need you to call me
granddaughter I need you to call me whenever lovey updates her blog so you
whenever lovey updates her blog so you
whenever lovey updates her blog so you can read her blog post to me so anytime
can read her blog post to me so anytime
can read her blog post to me so anytime I’d be like why am i doing this stuff
I’d be like why am i doing this stuff
I’d be like why am i doing this stuff and spending 16 hours a day behind
and spending 16 hours a day behind
and spending 16 hours a day behind computer screen and wearing ready
computer screen and wearing ready
computer screen and wearing ready pajamas four to five days a week and
pajamas four to five days a week and
pajamas four to five days a week and having to get a four thousand dollar
having to get a four thousand dollar
having to get a four thousand dollar loan to get my wisdom teeth pulled
loan to get my wisdom teeth pulled
loan to get my wisdom teeth pulled because I didn’t have insurance why am I
because I didn’t have insurance why am I
because I didn’t have insurance why am I doing this I had this small but
doing this I had this small but
doing this I had this small but dedicated audience that loved my
dedicated audience that loved my
dedicated audience that loved my shenanigans but there were very
shenanigans but there were very
shenanigans but there were very committed to also let me know that my
committed to also let me know that my
committed to also let me know that my writing mattered to them and I really
writing mattered to them and I really
writing mattered to them and I really think I’m I call them love nation
think I’m I call them love nation
think I’m I call them love nation because they gave me some good name you
because they gave me some good name you
because they gave me some good name you know how like anybody beehive for
know how like anybody beehive for
know how like anybody beehive for Beyonce Rihanna has the Navy I have love
Beyonce Rihanna has the Navy I have love
Beyonce Rihanna has the Navy I have love nation and they call love nation the bee
nation and they call love nation the bee
nation and they call love nation the bee hive of blogosphere they’re the fierce
hive of blogosphere they’re the fierce
hive of blogosphere they’re the fierce if fabulous people who are like yes we
if fabulous people who are like yes we
if fabulous people who are like yes we stand for loving but in writing this
stand for loving but in writing this
stand for loving but in writing this blog and staying true to myself having
blog and staying true to myself having
blog and staying true to myself having no expectations but realizing that I
no expectations but realizing that I
no expectations but realizing that I need to finally make some money with
need to finally make some money with
need to finally make some money with this how was I gonna do that well so I
this how was I gonna do that well so I
this how was I gonna do that well so I got known for writing TV recaps if you
got known for writing TV recaps if you
got known for writing TV recaps if you watch a major award show you want to
watch a major award show you want to
watch a major award show you want to come directly to my website you want to
come directly to my website you want to
come directly to my website you want to come to my website to read the tea that
come to my website to read the tea that
come to my website to read the tea that you missed some of the ones you didn’t
you missed some of the ones you didn’t
you missed some of the ones you didn’t miss
miss
miss what war whoo-hoo war what who I was
what war whoo-hoo war what who I was
what war whoo-hoo war what who I was given side eyes to my sight got known
given side eyes to my sight got known
given side eyes to my sight got known for these recaps and then in 2012 a show
for these recaps and then in 2012 a show
for these recaps and then in 2012 a show took the entire world by storm anyone
took the entire world by storm anyone
took the entire world by storm anyone know what that show is and though yes
know what that show is and though yes
know what that show is and though yes scandal started and it had anybody going
scandal started and it had anybody going
scandal started and it had anybody going nuts okay like you couldn’t stop talking
nuts okay like you couldn’t stop talking
nuts okay like you couldn’t stop talking about scandal and I couldn’t stop
about scandal and I couldn’t stop
about scandal and I couldn’t stop talking about scandal so I was live
talking about scandal so I was live
talking about scandal so I was live tweeting it when it would come on and
tweeting it when it would come on and
tweeting it when it would come on and the day actor I would recap it on my
the day actor I would recap it on my
the day actor I would recap it on my website my website became known as like
website my website became known as like
website my website became known as like the water cooler conversation place this
the water cooler conversation place this
the water cooler conversation place this is where you go I can watch the scandal
is where you go I can watch the scandal
is where you go I can watch the scandal and then you come read what you just
and then you come read what you just
and then you come read what you just watched but I tell you what you might
watched but I tell you what you might
watched but I tell you what you might have missed including the colors did you
have missed including the colors did you
have missed including the colors did you know how they use color in scandal yes I
know how they use color in scandal yes I
know how they use color in scandal yes I get deep all right these recaps made my
get deep all right these recaps made my
get deep all right these recaps made my blogs spike like it took my blog to a
blogs spike like it took my blog to a
blogs spike like it took my blog to a new level people who hadn’t known who I
new level people who hadn’t known who I
new level people who hadn’t known who I was found me because of scandal recast
was found me because of scandal recast
was found me because of scandal recast they might have stayed to read the stuff
they might have stayed to read the stuff
they might have stayed to read the stuff that I was writing about please Bacardi
that I was writing about please Bacardi
that I was writing about please Bacardi and race and feminism but I slid them in
and race and feminism but I slid them in
and race and feminism but I slid them in with scandal and while I had them I
with scandal and while I had them I
with scandal and while I had them I talked about other things twitter also
talked about other things twitter also
talked about other things twitter also became a huge part of the work that I do
became a huge part of the work that I do
became a huge part of the work that I do because glide tweeting so anytime
because glide tweeting so anytime
because glide tweeting so anytime there’s TV show going on instead of
there’s TV show going on instead of
there’s TV show going on instead of sitting at your house watching it by
sitting at your house watching it by
sitting at your house watching it by yourself you can be watching it at home
yourself you can be watching it at home
yourself you can be watching it at home but feeling like you’re with everybody
but feeling like you’re with everybody
but feeling like you’re with everybody else because we’re all tweeting about
else because we’re all tweeting about
else because we’re all tweeting about the same thing
the same thing
the same thing so my tweets got major so big that one
so my tweets got major so big that one
so my tweets got major so big that one day I’m live tweeting scandal I think it
day I’m live tweeting scandal I think it
day I’m live tweeting scandal I think it was I had I was traveling so I didn’t
was I had I was traveling so I didn’t
was I had I was traveling so I didn’t have a chance to watch a live that’s
have a chance to watch a live that’s
have a chance to watch a live that’s when I typically I’m writing about it
when I typically I’m writing about it
when I typically I’m writing about it but this day was like a Saturday night
but this day was like a Saturday night
but this day was like a Saturday night and I hadn’t had a chance to watch it so
and I hadn’t had a chance to watch it so
and I hadn’t had a chance to watch it so this is my chance to watch it and as I
this is my chance to watch it and as I
this is my chance to watch it and as I was tweeting Shonda Rhimes tweets and
was tweeting Shonda Rhimes tweets and
was tweeting Shonda Rhimes tweets and says I am staying up to watch lovie live
says I am staying up to watch lovie live
says I am staying up to watch lovie live tweet scandal I was like mama I’ve made
tweet scandal I was like mama I’ve made
tweet scandal I was like mama I’ve made it
it
it she is staying up to watch me talk about
she is staying up to watch me talk about
she is staying up to watch me talk about her show I was like okay we’re doing
her show I was like okay we’re doing
her show I was like okay we’re doing something here but Twitter in particular
something here but Twitter in particular
something here but Twitter in particular though I feel like my life is a series
though I feel like my life is a series
though I feel like my life is a series of tweets come true that’s like I
of tweets come true that’s like I
of tweets come true that’s like I predicted if that’s about to happen on
predicted if that’s about to happen on
predicted if that’s about to happen on Twitter and I usually go back after a
Twitter and I usually go back after a
Twitter and I usually go back after a major thing that happens with me to
major thing that happens with me to
major thing that happens with me to search my tweets to see if I’ve actually
search my tweets to see if I’ve actually
search my tweets to see if I’ve actually predicted it three major things have
predicted it three major things have
predicted it three major things have happened or I emotion that I’ve actually
happened or I emotion that I’ve actually
happened or I emotion that I’ve actually said about and I’ve talked about on
said about and I’ve talked about on
said about and I’ve talked about on Twitter so first thing in August 2014 I
Twitter so first thing in August 2014 I
Twitter so first thing in August 2014 I woke up one day and I had five messages
woke up one day and I had five messages
woke up one day and I had five messages waiting for me from people from members
waiting for me from people from members
waiting for me from people from members of loved nation who were like hey I just
of loved nation who were like hey I just
of loved nation who were like hey I just read something that sounded like you
read something that sounded like you
read something that sounded like you wrote it and I was like all right send
wrote it and I was like all right send
wrote it and I was like all right send me the link they sent me the link and it
me the link they sent me the link and it
me the link they sent me the link and it was this piece on a major universities
was this piece on a major universities
was this piece on a major universities website by a journalist he had
website by a journalist he had
website by a journalist he had plagiarized three paragraphs of my work
plagiarized three paragraphs of my work
plagiarized three paragraphs of my work and wrapped it in his head gave me zero
and wrapped it in his head gave me zero
and wrapped it in his head gave me zero credit so you recall he wrote it no like
credit so you recall he wrote it no like
credit so you recall he wrote it no like I’m pretty sure I read I said this so I
I’m pretty sure I read I said this so I
I’m pretty sure I read I said this so I commenced do a multi-platform dragon
commenced do a multi-platform dragon
commenced do a multi-platform dragon like I dragged this dude by his eyebrows
like I dragged this dude by his eyebrows
like I dragged this dude by his eyebrows on Twitter on facebook on my blog like I
on Twitter on facebook on my blog like I
on Twitter on facebook on my blog like I had to take a nap because I dragged him
had to take a nap because I dragged him
had to take a nap because I dragged him so hard all day like I was exhausted by
so hard all day like I was exhausted by
so hard all day like I was exhausted by the end of it I was like who took a nap
the end of it I was like who took a nap
the end of it I was like who took a nap woke up from my nap to a message from
woke up from my nap to a message from
woke up from my nap to a message from him where he was like oh my gosh I’m
him where he was like oh my gosh I’m
him where he was like oh my gosh I’m really sorry I didn’t know I wasn’t
really sorry I didn’t know I wasn’t
really sorry I didn’t know I wasn’t supposed to do that I was like I was
supposed to do that I was like I was
supposed to do that I was like I was like wait a minute
like wait a minute
like wait a minute come play okay you didn’t know you not
come play okay you didn’t know you not
come play okay you didn’t know you not supposed to copy and paste on my else’s
supposed to copy and paste on my else’s
supposed to copy and paste on my else’s words and not give him credit so I went
words and not give him credit so I went
words and not give him credit so I went on Twitter and said is there not a
on Twitter and said is there not a
on Twitter and said is there not a limited edition handbook on how not to
limited edition handbook on how not to
limited edition handbook on how not to suck as a human and the moment I press
suck as a human and the moment I press
suck as a human and the moment I press publish I was like oh that’s the book I
publish I was like oh that’s the book I
publish I was like oh that’s the book I need to write so that’s how I came up
need to write so that’s how I came up
need to write so that’s how I came up with the idea from judging you the do
with the idea from judging you the do
with the idea from judging you the do better man in my first book that came
better man in my first book that came
better man in my first book that came out last September now but see what that
out last September now but see what that
out last September now but see what that is that book and I become an instant New
is that book and I become an instant New
is that book and I become an instant New York Times best seller why because I had
York Times best seller why because I had
York Times best seller why because I had this audience that I had built on social
this audience that I had built on social
this audience that I had built on social and with my blog over at that time when
and with my blog over at that time when
and with my blog over at that time when we see that was 2014 11 years and they
we see that was 2014 11 years and they
we see that was 2014 11 years and they were like this book is gonna do success
were like this book is gonna do success
were like this book is gonna do success because you’ve been here for so long
because you’ve been here for so long
because you’ve been here for so long you’ve been writing for so long you’re
you’ve been writing for so long you’re
you’ve been writing for so long you’re one of the people that we can count on
one of the people that we can count on
one of the people that we can count on to always give a take on pop culture so
to always give a take on pop culture so
to always give a take on pop culture so that’s how that that happened to because
that’s how that that happened to because
that’s how that that happened to because I’m a black girl one of my heroes is
close Mya’s mentee thank you come on
close Mya’s mentee thank you come on she’s like black girl angel like look
she’s like black girl angel like look
she’s like black girl angel like look like come on you know this Oprah is like
like come on you know this Oprah is like
like come on you know this Oprah is like one of my she Rose self-made
one of my she Rose self-made
one of my she Rose self-made entrepreneur media figure just a black
entrepreneur media figure just a black
entrepreneur media figure just a black girl who’s super Center and sure about
girl who’s super Center and sure about
girl who’s super Center and sure about who she is
who she is
who she is I’ve been in rooms with Oprah seven to
I’ve been in rooms with Oprah seven to
I’ve been in rooms with Oprah seven to eight times over the years like we will
eight times over the years like we will
eight times over the years like we will be at the same event I’ll be standing
be at the same event I’ll be standing
be at the same event I’ll be standing five feet from her and I’ll just be like
five feet from her and I’ll just be like
five feet from her and I’ll just be like no I’m not gonna meet her at least five
no I’m not gonna meet her at least five
no I’m not gonna meet her at least five or six times I’ve been to her show three
or six times I’ve been to her show three
or six times I’ve been to her show three times I’ve always just been in her orbit
times I’ve always just been in her orbit
times I’ve always just been in her orbit but I never got them cause I introduced
but I never got them cause I introduced
but I never got them cause I introduced myself so I tweeted probably twice over
myself so I tweeted probably twice over
myself so I tweeted probably twice over the year maybe three times that one day
the year maybe three times that one day
the year maybe three times that one day I’m going to meet Oprah and when I meet
I’m going to meet Oprah and when I meet
I’m going to meet Oprah and when I meet Oprah she’s gonna already know my name
Oprah she’s gonna already know my name
Oprah she’s gonna already know my name and I was like that’s when I’m gonna
and I was like that’s when I’m gonna
and I was like that’s when I’m gonna know that I’ve really arrived and I’m
know that I’ve really arrived and I’m
know that I’ve really arrived and I’m gonna get some good luggage stand for
gonna get some good luggage stand for
gonna get some good luggage stand for real last year I’m over here minding
real last year I’m over here minding
real last year I’m over here minding everybody else’s business and I get an
everybody else’s business and I get an
everybody else’s business and I get an email that I was chosen handpicked by
email that I was chosen handpicked by
email that I was chosen handpicked by Oprah to be a part of her super soul 100
Oprah to be a part of her super soul 100
Oprah to be a part of her super soul 100 list and it was a list of a hundred
list and it was a list of a hundred
list and it was a list of a hundred people who she picked who she thinks are
people who she picked who she thinks are
people who she picked who she thinks are elevating humanity and I got picked
elevating humanity and I got picked
elevating humanity and I got picked because of my voice because of my blog
because of my voice because of my blog
because of my voice because of my blog because my social media because the
because my social media because the
because my social media because the stuff that I’ve created over the last 13
stuff that I’ve created over the last 13
stuff that I’ve created over the last 13 years
years
years so Oprah first of all I was like wait
so Oprah first of all I was like wait
so Oprah first of all I was like wait handpicked like I think she knows who I
handpicked like I think she knows who I
handpicked like I think she knows who I am
am
am oh my god that’s amazing so I show up to
oh my god that’s amazing so I show up to
oh my god that’s amazing so I show up to the brunch you could have brunch for the
the brunch you could have brunch for the
the brunch you could have brunch for the honorees so this list has like Deepak
honorees so this list has like Deepak
honorees so this list has like Deepak Chopra Arianna Huffington Ava Duvernay
Chopra Arianna Huffington Ava Duvernay
Chopra Arianna Huffington Ava Duvernay India I read yellow vans and I was like
India I read yellow vans and I was like
India I read yellow vans and I was like word you pick me for this list so we go
word you pick me for this list so we go
word you pick me for this list so we go to LA for the brunch and I finally
to LA for the brunch and I finally
to LA for the brunch and I finally formally meet her in person and she
formally meet her in person and she
formally meet her in person and she knows my
knows my
knows my and I’m like I’ve already predicted this
and I’m like I’ve already predicted this
and I’m like I’ve already predicted this on the Twittersphere yeah and then two
on the Twittersphere yeah and then two
on the Twittersphere yeah and then two months later her team loved me so much
months later her team loved me so much
months later her team loved me so much she loved me that they had me come back
she loved me that they had me come back
she loved me that they had me come back to LA to interview her on the own TV lot
to LA to interview her on the own TV lot
to LA to interview her on the own TV lot while holding an own microphone and it
while holding an own microphone and it
while holding an own microphone and it was broadcast on Oprah Winfrey’s
was broadcast on Oprah Winfrey’s
was broadcast on Oprah Winfrey’s Facebook page on Facebook page
Facebook page on Facebook page
Facebook page on Facebook page Greenleaf’s Facebook page and during
Greenleaf’s Facebook page and during
Greenleaf’s Facebook page and during this interview Oprah grabs my head and I
this interview Oprah grabs my head and I
this interview Oprah grabs my head and I felt like I was anointed okay I do I was
felt like I was anointed okay I do I was
felt like I was anointed okay I do I was like oh did we go together yes like this
like oh did we go together yes like this
like oh did we go together yes like this I feel like I’m heir apparent okay we
I feel like I’m heir apparent okay we
I feel like I’m heir apparent okay we all say that so that’s number two number
all say that so that’s number two number
all say that so that’s number two number three over some years again anytime
three over some years again anytime
three over some years again anytime something major happens
something major happens
something major happens I’m usually set it on Twitter I’ve
I’m usually set it on Twitter I’ve
I’m usually set it on Twitter I’ve cleaned it it’s like the universe is
cleaned it it’s like the universe is
cleaned it it’s like the universe is like I got you so my book came out in
like I got you so my book came out in
like I got you so my book came out in September but I’m judging you came out
September but I’m judging you came out
September but I’m judging you came out of shrinks this Chando rhymes because at
of shrinks this Chando rhymes because at
of shrinks this Chando rhymes because at this point we go together um and I was
this point we go together um and I was
this point we go together um and I was like I would love for you to blurb this
like I would love for you to blurb this
like I would love for you to blurb this book just I want your quote on the cover
book just I want your quote on the cover
book just I want your quote on the cover of my book if you love this book she
of my book if you love this book she
of my book if you love this book she read it a month for my book dropped she
read it a month for my book dropped she
read it a month for my book dropped she sends me a coke and says this book is
sends me a coke and says this book is
sends me a coke and says this book is the truth right
so the second edition of my book had
so the second edition of my book had Shonda Rhimes quote under cover and then
Shonda Rhimes quote under cover and then
Shonda Rhimes quote under cover and then in October of last year I get a message
in October of last year I get a message
in October of last year I get a message from Shonda she wants me to come with
from Shonda she wants me to come with
from Shonda she wants me to come with her I meet with Shonda Rhimes and she
her I meet with Shonda Rhimes and she
her I meet with Shonda Rhimes and she says I think this is a television show
February 7th of this year it got
February 7th of this year it got announced publicly I’d been sitting on
announced publicly I’d been sitting on
announced publicly I’d been sitting on it for two months at this point
it for two months at this point
it for two months at this point shondaland optioned my book to become a
shondaland optioned my book to become a
shondaland optioned my book to become a cable series so I am working with
cable series so I am working with
cable series so I am working with shondaland now to develop the show
so of course I went back on Twitter was
so of course I went back on Twitter was like I predicted it this is not I did I
like I predicted it this is not I did I
like I predicted it this is not I did I did so I found three tweets from 2012
did so I found three tweets from 2012
did so I found three tweets from 2012 one for 2012 one for 2014 one for 2015
one for 2012 one for 2014 one for 2015
one for 2012 one for 2014 one for 2015 that said one day you will see my name
that said one day you will see my name
that said one day you will see my name in the credits of your favorite TV show
in the credits of your favorite TV show
in the credits of your favorite TV show it was the exact same tweet and I said
it was the exact same tweet and I said
it was the exact same tweet and I said it three times over the years and I was
it three times over the years and I was
it three times over the years and I was like oh okay I didn’t even know I spoke
like oh okay I didn’t even know I spoke
like oh okay I didn’t even know I spoke that into existence but it was the power
that into existence but it was the power
that into existence but it was the power I really believe in the power of writing
I really believe in the power of writing
I really believe in the power of writing and speaking our dreams and essentially
and speaking our dreams and essentially
and speaking our dreams and essentially because I’m on social all the time I
because I’m on social all the time I
because I’m on social all the time I share my dreams publicly and I feel like
share my dreams publicly and I feel like
share my dreams publicly and I feel like sometimes the courage to just speak them
sometimes the courage to just speak them
sometimes the courage to just speak them out loud is what you need to kind of set
out loud is what you need to kind of set
out loud is what you need to kind of set in motion I never was that person until
in motion I never was that person until
in motion I never was that person until it started happening and I didn’t
it started happening and I didn’t
it started happening and I didn’t realize it was happening blogging social
realize it was happening blogging social
realize it was happening blogging social media the success has come from it for
media the success has come from it for
media the success has come from it for me has actually like blown my mind like
me has actually like blown my mind like
me has actually like blown my mind like it’s it’s open doors I didn’t even know
it’s it’s open doors I didn’t even know
it’s it’s open doors I didn’t even know existed like there’s one thing to see a
existed like there’s one thing to see a
existed like there’s one thing to see a door and say I want that to be open
door and say I want that to be open
door and say I want that to be open there’s another it’s not even know was
there’s another it’s not even know was
there’s another it’s not even know was there and my like I’m standing here at
there and my like I’m standing here at
there and my like I’m standing here at the testament of that power of just what
the testament of that power of just what
the testament of that power of just what these platforms can do because you never
these platforms can do because you never
these platforms can do because you never know who’s listening who’s paying
know who’s listening who’s paying
know who’s listening who’s paying attention Brett pump project which is my
attention Brett pump project which is my
attention Brett pump project which is my organization is now eight years old
organization is now eight years old
organization is now eight years old we have went to we went to Haiti in
we have went to we went to Haiti in
we have went to we went to Haiti in December 2015 because the US Embassy in
December 2015 because the US Embassy in
December 2015 because the US Embassy in port-au-prince was like we want you to
port-au-prince was like we want you to
port-au-prince was like we want you to come here and do the work that you do
come here and do the work that you do
come here and do the work that you do here and we got to do workshops for nine
here and we got to do workshops for nine
here and we got to do workshops for nine hundred people in four days awesomely
hundred people in four days awesomely
hundred people in four days awesomely lovey calm my blog has gotten me in
lovey calm my blog has gotten me in
lovey calm my blog has gotten me in these crazy rooms always say I’m Forrest
these crazy rooms always say I’m Forrest
these crazy rooms always say I’m Forrest Gump he’s you now for he’s gonna end up
Gump he’s you now for he’s gonna end up
Gump he’s you now for he’s gonna end up in all these weird rooms are you like
in all these weird rooms are you like
in all these weird rooms are you like how I’m that person there’s many times
how I’m that person there’s many times
how I’m that person there’s many times and I’m the only blogger in the room I’m
and I’m the only blogger in the room I’m
and I’m the only blogger in the room I’m the only one that gave access to there
the only one that gave access to there
the only one that gave access to there are times when I’ve been on the red
are times when I’ve been on the red
are times when I’ve been on the red carpet next to journalist from the BBC I
carpet next to journalist from the BBC I
carpet next to journalist from the BBC I was on a red carpet last year where I
was on a red carpet last year where I
was on a red carpet last year where I was in a better position that than a
was in a better position that than a
was in a better position that than a multi-million dollar outlet isn’t like
multi-million dollar outlet isn’t like
multi-million dollar outlet isn’t like my name on the carpet was better than
my name on the carpet was better than
my name on the carpet was better than where their name was and the person
where their name was and the person
where their name was and the person there was like talking to PR persons
there was like talking to PR persons
there was like talking to PR persons like usually I’m here a PR person is
like usually I’m here a PR person is
like usually I’m here a PR person is like not today and I was like
I was like blue and Here I am a team of
I was like blue and Here I am a team of one at this point literally in a better
one at this point literally in a better
one at this point literally in a better position than you who comes from an
position than you who comes from an
position than you who comes from an organization that probably has a thirty
organization that probably has a thirty
organization that probably has a thirty million dollar budget I’m the petty and
million dollar budget I’m the petty and
million dollar budget I’m the petty and me loves that moment I did I was like
me loves that moment I did I was like
me loves that moment I did I was like look at God come on I did I was like
look at God come on I did I was like
look at God come on I did I was like looks like a picture of me looking like
looks like a picture of me looking like
looks like a picture of me looking like this I’m having on that red carpet it’s
this I’m having on that red carpet it’s
this I’m having on that red carpet it’s like when I was at the Academy Awards in
like when I was at the Academy Awards in
like when I was at the Academy Awards in 2012 like typically when you see
2012 like typically when you see
2012 like typically when you see journalists on the red carpet after the
journalists on the red carpet after the
journalists on the red carpet after the Oscars they leave most of them have no
Oscars they leave most of them have no
Oscars they leave most of them have no access to get backstage I got backstage
access to get backstage I got backstage
access to get backstage I got backstage so I spent the whole time even Wolfgang
so I spent the whole time even Wolfgang
so I spent the whole time even Wolfgang Puck’s shrimp and I in do no work
Puck’s shrimp and I in do no work
Puck’s shrimp and I in do no work backstage also really like yes I’m back
backstage also really like yes I’m back
backstage also really like yes I’m back here I’ll we eat all the chocolate but
here I’ll we eat all the chocolate but
here I’ll we eat all the chocolate but again this access that I get is strictly
again this access that I get is strictly
again this access that I get is strictly because of this thing that I’ve built
because of this thing that I’ve built
because of this thing that I’ve built like the power of it it always blows my
like the power of it it always blows my
like the power of it it always blows my mind all the time people are like how
mind all the time people are like how
mind all the time people are like how did you get there I’ve been doing this
did you get there I’ve been doing this
did you get there I’ve been doing this work for such a long time and my success
work for such a long time and my success
work for such a long time and my success though I also get that question for me
though I also get that question for me
though I also get that question for me success is living life on your own terms
success is living life on your own terms
success is living life on your own terms and doing the things that you love and
and doing the things that you love and
and doing the things that you love and every single day I get to do that
every single day I get to do that
every single day I get to do that so I do think I must I’m a success and
so I do think I must I’m a success and
so I do think I must I’m a success and you know even the times when the money
you know even the times when the money
you know even the times when the money wasn’t coming in when they finally
wasn’t coming in when they finally
wasn’t coming in when they finally started coming in I was affirmed in the
started coming in I was affirmed in the
started coming in I was affirmed in the work that I was doing and I feel like as
work that I was doing and I feel like as
work that I was doing and I feel like as creatives as people who don’t always
creatives as people who don’t always
creatives as people who don’t always live in the box that’s the most
live in the box that’s the most
live in the box that’s the most difficult thing is knowing to keep going
difficult thing is knowing to keep going
difficult thing is knowing to keep going even when you hit these walls especially
even when you hit these walls especially
even when you hit these walls especially when you can’t afford to buy the shoes
when you can’t afford to buy the shoes
when you can’t afford to buy the shoes you want to buy because that’s my
you want to buy because that’s my
you want to buy because that’s my motivation um I have to admit okay I’m
motivation um I have to admit okay I’m
motivation um I have to admit okay I’m shallow like that but for me I also find
shallow like that but for me I also find
shallow like that but for me I also find a lot of power in the fact that I’m
a lot of power in the fact that I’m
a lot of power in the fact that I’m usually one tweet a blog post a status
usually one tweet a blog post a status
usually one tweet a blog post a status away from my dream door being open and
away from my dream door being open and
away from my dream door being open and my my hope for everybody else is that
my my hope for everybody else is that
my my hope for everybody else is that they’re able to harness these social
they’re able to harness these social
they’re able to harness these social networks and and these these these web
networks and and these these these web
networks and and these these these web sites and one that you created yourself
sites and one that you created yourself
sites and one that you created yourself and one that somebody else created that
and one that somebody else created that
and one that somebody else created that you’re writing for
you’re writing for
you’re writing for my goal and my hope for other people is
my goal and my hope for other people is
my goal and my hope for other people is that they’re able to find their power in
that they’re able to find their power in
that they’re able to find their power in it stand in it because I’m I have a ball
it stand in it because I’m I have a ball
it stand in it because I’m I have a ball doing what I do and it’s just because
doing what I do and it’s just because
doing what I do and it’s just because I’ve stayed true to myself I’ve done it
I’ve stayed true to myself I’ve done it
I’ve stayed true to myself I’ve done it for a long time and I’m essentially the
for a long time and I’m essentially the
for a long time and I’m essentially the person who just didn’t quit like the
person who just didn’t quit like the
person who just didn’t quit like the party ended for some people and they
party ended for some people and they
party ended for some people and they were like okay I’m going home I didn’t
were like okay I’m going home I didn’t
were like okay I’m going home I didn’t go home I hope you clean up so you’re
go home I hope you clean up so you’re
go home I hope you clean up so you’re like okay like I’m I’m gonna support you
like okay like I’m I’m gonna support you
like okay like I’m I’m gonna support you I’m that person for blogosphere
I’m that person for blogosphere
I’m that person for blogosphere so thank you for having me and I’m
so thank you for having me and I’m
so thank you for having me and I’m excited to be in BBI
excited to be in BBI
excited to be in BBI [Applause]
”
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