Ananda@16thandU: A Lifestylista in Love with DC

Join Ananda Leeke as she blogs about her love affair with DC, POTUS and FLOTUS Obama, and the White House.

[anandaleeke]

Standing in line to vote is an anctestral experience for me. I am here surrounded by all of my African, Native American, and European ancestors who made it possible for me to be a free woman with a free mind, voice, body, life, and right to vote. Some of my ancestors never had a chance to do what I am doing. So I say thank you ancestors for all you are and did for me and our family. I am voting for all of us knowing the life I live is a blessing filled with an abundance of privileges and opportunities. I am voting for the first female president because it's the only choice that makes sense. I am believing and affirming the success of POTUS @HillaryClinton today. Join me in saying and demonstrating with your vote #Imwithher.

[anandaleeke]

The Digital Transition: How the Presidential Transition Works in the Social Media Age | whitehouse.gov

[anandaleeke]

White House SXSL Favorite Moments: Had a lot of fun participating in the Case Foundation's #FacesofFounders campaign on Monday. I am the daughter, grandaughter, great granddaughter, and great great granddaughter of enterpreneurs. I have been an entrepreneur since 1992. Join me in celebrating the courage, creativity, innovation, and persistance of entrepreneurs. #casefoundation #sxsl #entrepreneurs (at The White House)

[anandaleeke]

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White House SXSL Favorite Moments: Had a chance to share my story about working for Smith Center for Healing and the Arts (@SmithCenterDC) artist-in-residence and the inspiration behind my work at Howard University Hospital (2003-2009) and Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (2010-present) with Starkbucks (@starbucks) Upstanders program. PS: I am wearing my "Karma: Aham Prema" scarf from my VIDA Voices collection in the video. Go hereto learn more ($40 each scarf): http://shopvida.com/collections/voices/ananda-leeke. The scarf features my painting and celebrates a woman's self-love journey. The painting appears on the cover of my debut novel, "Love's Troubadours" (Amazon). While I was working as a Smith Center artist at Howard University Hospital, a patient taughr me how to paint and guided me through the creative process for my painting. #upstanders #sxsl #shopvida #shopvidaAL #vida #scarf #scarves #creativity #smithcenterdc #smithcenterhealingandthearts (at White House, Washington D.C.)

[anandaleeke]

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Listening to architect David Adjaye discuss why he loves working on libraries at the White House (@WhiteHouse) SXSL's breakfast panel at the Newseum today. Adjaye says libraries are knowledge centers that create community. I love that he works on libraries. Adjaye worked on the National Museum of African American History and Culture (@nmaahc). #SXSL #apeoplesjourney #davidadjaye #libraries #community

[anandaleeke]

Good Morning from the @WhiteHouse #SXSL breakfast panel at the Newseum. Follow @anandaleeke on Instagram and Twitter all day long. Headed to the White House later today.

[anandaleeke]

October is going to be a great month. I'm headed back to the @WhiteHouse on Monday for #SXSL. Looking forward to an amazing day.

[anandaleeke]

The National Museum of African American History and Culture's walls are filled with powerful quotes from my ancestors. Check out freedom fighter Sojourner Truth's wisdom. #apeoplesjourney

[anandaleeke]

I had a great time hanging out with my friends and digital media colleagues Xina Eiland (@xeiland) and MIke Street (@MrMikeStreet) at the National Museum of African American History and Culture's Sweet Home Cafe today. #apeoplesjourney

[anandaleeke]

Visiting the National Museum of African American History and Culture's (@nmaahc) Sweet Home Cafe was a culinary extravaganza that took my tastebuds on a food journey that traced the African American migration. The cafe is a joint venture between the Smithsonian and Thompson Hospitality and Restaurant Associates. When you enter the sacred ground if soul food, you are introduced to four regional stations: Agricultural South, Creole Coast, North States, and Western Range. Each station offers you a history lesson as you watch your food being prepared. My favorite food offerings include the shrimp and grits, catfish, yams, and blackberry and peach cobbler. The cobbler was so good I went back for a second helping. #apeoplesjourney

[anandaleeke]

Meet Jerome Grant, Executive Chef of the National Museum of African American History and Culture's (@nmaahc) Sweet Home Cafe. Grant is a native of Prince George's County, Maryland, and graduate of the Pennsylvania Culinary Institute. Prior to joining the NMAAHC team, he served as Executive Chef of the Mitsitam Cafe at the National Museum of the American Indian. #apeoplesjourney

[anandaleeke]

Today's visit to the National Museum of African American History and Culture (@nmaahc) was filled with gratitude for my ancestors. I loved seeing the walls filled with images of so many of my sheroes and heroes like Dr. Mary McCleod Bethune, Dr. Dorothy Height, James Baldwin, and Zora Neale Hurston. #apeoplesjourney

[anandaleeke]

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Listening to Lonnie Bunch, founding director of the National Museum of African American History and Culture (@nmaahc), share his reflections on creating the museum. #apeoplesjourney

[anandaleeke]

Enjoying a morning visit to the National Museum of African American History and Culture (@nmaahc) with my digital sisters Xina Eiland (@xeiland) and LaWanda Tony (@morethanamom). #apeoplesjourney

[anandaleeke]

Join me today as I participate in a media viewing of the National Museum of African American History and Culture (@nmaahc). #apeopleshistory. Follow me on Instagram and Twitter at @anandaleeke. #africanamericanart #africanamericanhistory #blackculture #BlackHistory

[anandaleeke]

Join me today as I participate in a media viewing of the National Museum of African American Culture and History (@nmaach). #apeopleshistory. Follow me on Instagram and Twitter at @anandaleeke. #africanamericanart #africanamericanhistory #blackculture #BlackHistory

[anandaleeke]

Tonight Barbara Arnwine, Transformative Justice Coalition founder, said at the African American Women and Law Conference: "You've got to be real about your politics. It's not perfect. It's not about personalities." #AAWLC2016 #blackwomen #blackwomenlawyers #africanamericanwomen