Salt & Light

Living at the Intersection of Sustainability and Digital Branding: By Najeema Davis Washington

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Big Cats Are My Spirit Animal

My Announcement About Becoming A Cougar in 2018

I think I know what you're thinking as you read this....what? Has she lost her mind? Who talks about spirit animals on a blogpost. Well, I've had a revelation and it happens to coincide with my newest announcement about my employment.

But let me set it up, first.

I've always been a "cat." Every single mascot that has been the banner of my educational institution has been a cat. In some form or another.

James Simons Jaguars, Ashley Hall Panthers. Spelman College Jaguars (okay, skip the Tarheels) and now... the College of Charleston Cougars.

I am proud to announce that I will be (re)joining the Cougar Family as the Associate Director of Alumni Engagement and Career Services starting in January .

And when I say "rejoining" I mean I've been a part of the College of Charleston family since I learned to swim in the College's Natatorium, attended Pre-Kindergarten at the Early Childhood Development Center (ECDC), took basketball camp from Coach Kresse, or as a student at the Summer Governor's School Program. I think that was a selling point in my interview - my connection to the school.

I specifically believe that the power of my personal alumni network, and how students at Spelman and Morehouse are groomed for alumni engagement was impressive to the selection committee.

Cats aren't known to be very social, but my social skills will be in full use in my new position. I believe my experiences networking with a purpose, teaching and speaking on the use of social media or personal branding and the job search are the skills that landed me the position. I look forward to continuing to develop those skills and teach them to others.

So come January, you can find me at the very beautiful campus of the College of Charleston, where I have joined the ranks as a Cougar.

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Last week, I had the chance to moderate a discussion between two professional women on the topic of Ideation for Women AIM. Ideation is more than just brainstorming- it's implementing too! Many thanks to consultant Lynne Filderman and Kezia Williams of The Black Upstart.

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Be Passionate not Patient with Your Career

I was disappointed to hear that a Senior Level Executive at a federal agency addressed a group of newly promoted analysts with really bad advice. He encouraged the ambitious, talented, and motivated individuals to be patient with their careers. It makes me laugh, but funny it is not. So many times at this particular agency, senior leadership talks about how talented the employee pool is. What makes them think that employees, particularly millennials, would stick around a top-notch agency, languishing in a pool of other talented people, not advancing in their careers? It is a serious mistake to be patient with your career. I know that first hand. You must be passionate, you must be determined. Opportunities will not fall into your lap all the time (unless your name is Clinton, Kennedy, or Smith). You must be determined, diligent, and display your thought leadership on the issues or positions that you'd like to pursue. Even then, it might not work - but persistence pays. It has to. That's the hope I'm holding on to right now. Know your strengths. Be able to discuss them. Invest time in overcoming your weaknesses. Be tenacious. Be persistent. The squeaky wheel gets the oil and closed mouths don't get fed. I'm so passionate about calling out this bad advice because I've been very patient with my career and it's gotten me nowhere.

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GC4W International Women's Day Gala 2015 Celebration

GC4W International Women’s Day Gala 2015 Celebration

In March I had the chance to volunteer at the GC4W International Women’s Day Gala in Washington, DC. 

The event featured a dance performance from the Zoca Dance Group and some outstanding inspirational remarks from awardees. 

Here are a few pictures. 

    Awardee Vivian Onano with Founder Lilian O. Ajayi (left). Vivian was recognized as a Global Women Champion. Her quote, “Disrupt the status quo…

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In 2013, I was proudly named a Most Valuable Philanthropist #MVP by Words, Beats and Life.  In 2014, I was asked to co-host the donor celebration and fundraising event.

The Breakfast of Champions is an annual celebration of WBL’s largest monetary donors (The Dream Team) and most impactful in-kind donors.

With up to 10% of the annual operating budget coming directly from public support and earned income, the staff knows how truly committed our Champions are in supporting the work WBL does with DC youth and families through Hip-Hop.

That day we raised almost $100,000 dollars in donations, pledges, and in-kind gifts. 

WBL is an incredible organization and I eagerly support the programs, which I’ve seen grow. One program, the Fine Arts/Mural project combines my love of hip hop with art. Look for WBL murals all around Washington, DC.

I’ve served as a volunteer, adviser/Board member and I’d like to serve in other capacities as well. I’ve committed to donate $5000 over the next 5 years. It’s a sacrifice, but I believe in the organization and its’ mission and I love hip hop music. It only seems natural.

Co-Hosting the WBL Breakfast of Champions In 2013, I was proudly named a Most Valuable Philanthropist #MVP by Words, Beats and Life.  In 2014, I was asked to co-host the donor celebration and fundraising event.

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I joked this summer about unofficially moving to Miami. Somehow this year, I found myself in the Sunshine State three times within three months. It was taxing and expensive, but it was worth the time and experience to make these memories.

In August I attended the inaugural ColorComm conference for women of color in communications. It was a fantastic conference, and I was very happy to attend and meet women who were open and creative, who wore colorful clothing and natural hair, like me. It was certainly different from my everyday work experience. It was refreshing. I learned a lot about myself and my networking that weekend. I hope some positive, lucrative things come of my attendance.

For Labor Day, I flew back to Miami, this time for a little bit of fun. My line sister invited me to participate in her “hen” party or her bachelorette party. In true fashion, there was a hashtag — #RaRasLastHoorah and we used it everywhere. The group consisted of Bridesmaids and her close friends from . I really enjoyed getting to know these young ladies. We didn’t have any major drama, which is difficult to claim when there are eight women around, and we celebrated our friend. She chose the best restaurants (including Mr. Chow and Jose Andreas), we went to the hottest clubs – Liv and Mansion. I was in heaven!

My last trip was a beautiful celebration of the love between two people. Before the ceremony, I had a little bit of time to myself.  I went on a cruise of millionaire homes. Amazing! I oohed and aaahed every chance I got. The ceremony was epic and memorable. Everything was stellar, from the food and the fellowship, the locale (The Westin Colonnade) and the music! 

  They say travel is the only thing that you spend money on that makes you richer. Certainly, Miami isn’t Europe or Africa, but there is culture nonetheless. We danced, we drank, we ate, we spoke Spanish with the Latin men of Miami, and we had a blast. I’ve had my fill of Miami, but I certainly did enjoy this summer’s love affair.

  My Summer in the Sunshine

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Women's History Month Speaker Encourages Authenticity

Women’s History Month Speaker Encourages Authenticity

This March, I introduced the agency’s Women’s History Month Keynote Speaker and moderated the Q&A. These are the types of things that I live for — the opportunity to speak in front of a crowd.

Meeting Ms. Villalobos was truly a treat.  She is accomplished, yet very down to Earth. She shoulders a lot of responsibility in her position at OPM, Director, Office of Diversity and Inclusion, with the…

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This organization has been recognized by the White House & the change makers they will honor on Saturday are internationally known and even celebrated by Oprah. Won't you come out and support. #momiesgala

[knowledgeequalsblackpower]

Fathers of Technology and Innovation

Clarence “Skip” Ellis was the first African-American to earn a PhD in Computer Science. He helped develop the concept of clicking icons which lead to the development of user friendly operating systems such as Windows or Mac. 

David Hedgley created a mathmatical algorithim that would tell computers which lines to display and which lines to make invisible, thus creating 3-D graphics. 

James E. West holds 47 U.S. and more than 200 foreign patents. He is best known for co-inventing the electroacoustic transducer, an electret microphone that revolutionized microphones and is used in 90% of microphones today (including in telephones, tape recorders, and other devices). 

Mark Dean developed a number of landmark technologies for IBM, including the color PC monitor and the first gigahertz chip. He holds three of the company’s original nine patents with more than 20 patents associated with his name. He also co-invented the Industry Standard Architecture system bus allowing for computer plug-ins such as disk drives, modems, and printers.

Marc Hannah co-founded SGI (Silicon Graphics, Inc.) and was named its principal scientist for inventing computer graphic programs like Personal IRIS, Indigo, Indigo2, and Indy graphics, which were used to create effects for commercials, television shows, films (like Jurassic Park and Terminator 2). engineering, research, and for military applications. Hannah is also the chief technology officer for SongPro, a technology company specializing in making multimedia plug-ins used for listening to music on hand-held video game players and MP3 players.

Gerald Lawson invented the modern game console, the first home video game system with interchangeable game cartridges. 

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Black History is American history.

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New Year, New Me

I really do believe I’m a different person since going home for two weeks over Christmas vacation.

This year is different. My perspective is different.

I feel a new ability to respond, because I have new responsibilities. I feel empowered because I have…

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January is the perfect time to think about tweaking your resume in the most awesome way. Try these verbs out for size! 

No matter what duty or accomplishment you’re trying to show off, we’ve got just the verb for you.

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Obama Commutes Sentences for 8 in Crack Cocaine Cases

With the move, President Obama expanded his administration’s push to curtail severe penalties for drug offenses.

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U.S. Flags Lowered For Mandela, A Rare Honor For Foreign Leaders

U.S. flags are being flown at half-staff — a symbolic gesture of a nation in mourning.

[RESPECT]

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“As I walked out the door toward the gate that would lead to my freedom, I knew if I didn't leave my bitterness and hatred behind, I'd still be in prison"

Madiba | Nelson Mandela 

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Cover Story: Nelson Mandela, Hero

Next week’s cover, “Madiba,” was drawn by the artist Kadir Nelson.

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Nelson Mandela death: In his own words

BBC News - "I have fought against white domination, and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. It is an ideal which I hope to live for and to achieve. " Read more

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Teaching Social Media to the Travel Industry

This summer, SterlingFlow Media Group became an Industry Partner of the Professional Travel Agents…

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Read about my teaching experience in China at www.sterlingflow.com