Celebrating Black American Princesses & Women
BAP Living is an online community created for Black American Princesses (BAPs) and Educated Black Women (EBW).
Birthdays
Birthdays Today
Photos
Advertising/PR Note & Social Media Links
BAP Living will consider requests for sponsoriship and product reviews that have a connection to the site's audience and featured topics. Please send all correspondence to Ananda Leeke at kiamshaleeke@yahoo.com.
BAP Living Social Media Links
Connect with BAP Living on Facebook.
Follow BAP Living on Twitter.
Tune into BAP Living Radio on Talkshoe.com for programs about self-love, self-care, spirituality, health, finances, yoga, social media, creativity, art, music, culture, beauty, fashion, community service, careers, green living, and so much more.
BAP Living ShoutOuts and Support Request
Out of Our Right Minds - Trauma, Depression and the Black Woman from Stacey Muhammad on Vimeo.
Check out filmmaker and activist Stacey Muhammad’s new documentary Out of Our Right Minds – Trauma, Depression and the Black Woman. Visit www.wildseedstudios.com. Please support Muhammad's film with a financial donation!
Healthy You Now (www.healthyyounow.com) is a new bi-monthly online health magazine that launches on December 8. Its mission is to:
•promote information on good eating habits,
•change the conversation from weight to health & healthy choices, and
•challenge each individual to make adjustments to their overall lifestyle.
Tonya Lewis Lee is serving as Editor-in-Chief. Lee is a lawyer, writer, mother, wife, and lead spokesperson for The Office of Minority Health’s “A Healthy Baby Begins With You” campaign (http://www.tonyalewislee.com/tll_involvements.html). Lee penned a best-selling novel Gotham Diaries. She also co-authored the children’s book Please Baby Please with her husband Spike Lee. Visit www.tonyalewislee.com for more information.
Please support this new publication by visiting www.healthyyounow.com and signing up for the free newsletter. If you are on Facebook, join the Healthy You Now Fan Page: www.facebook.com/#/pages/Healthy-You-Now/184831227905?ref=ts. Tell your friends to join too!
The Red Pump Project is a national initiative that ensures women are empowered with knowledge about HIV/AIDS and the issues surrounding it. To date, there are 30 ambassadors in 20 states "Rocking the Red Pump" to raise awareness about the impact of HIV/AIDS on women & girls.
Check out Cut It Out! Apparel, a Brooklyn, NY-based female clothing line that designs to empower women.
BAP Living Member Sharmey Holloman is an amazing creative sistalove who co-owns Controversitees, a company that makes customized t-shirts with a unique message that all BAPs can appreciate. Please support Sharmey!
BAP Living Support Request
Has BAP Living made a difference in your life this year? If yes, then click on the PayPal button above and make a donation. Many thanks in advance for your gift. It is greatly appreciated!
Groups
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Michael Jackson's PYT's
2 members
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NAUW BAP's
1 member
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Natural Hair BAP's
1 member
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Virginia Union Universit…
1 member
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Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorori…
1 member
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Spelman College BAPs
1 member
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Desert Divas: BAPs and E…
3 members
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West Coast BAPs and EBW
3 members
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Debutantes
3 members
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Delta Sigma Theta Sorori…
3 members
Latest Activity
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Welcome to BAP Living
Welcome to BAP Living!
BAP Living is a social networking site for women of African descent who self-identify as Black American Princesses (BAPs), educated Black women (EBW), or women who enjoy living well. Our community exists to celebrate women of African descent:
-Being At Peace with themselves,
-Becoming Authentic People who trust their hearts and own their lives; and
-Blogging and using social media tools to Affirm their Passions in life.
We hope our community helps BAPs live their best lives knowing what African American playwright Lorraine Hansberry wrote:
“…life has within it that which is good, that which is beautiful and that which is love. Therefore, since I have known all of these things, I have found them to be reason enough and—I wish to live. Moreover, because this is so, I wish others to live for generations and generations and generations.”
Click on the links below to learn more about BAPs.
What is a BAP?
15 BAP Commandments
BAP Living Links and Resources
Celebrating BAP Living's First Anniversary
Celebrating The BAP Handbook Authors - Our Fellow BAPs
Disney's The Princess and the Frog Movie (special release on November 25, 2009 in NYC and LA; nationwide release on December 11, 2009)
Why BAP Living Was Created
In 2008, author Ananda Leeke created BAP Living in response to positive feedback from readers of her debut novel Love's Troubadours - Karma: Book One (2007) (www.lovestroubadours.com).
Love's Troubadours tells the story of Karma Francois, a thirtysomething California-born BoHo BAP (Bohemian Black American Princess) with Louisiana roots and urban debutante flair. Leeke's novel shows how a woman uses therapy, yoga, meditation, art, music, poetry, and support from family and friends to confront the effects of her poor life choices and embrace a spiritual journey of healing and love. It is available on Amazon.com.
Leeke's new book That Which Awakens Me: A Creative Woman's Poetic Memoir of Self-Discovery (November 2009 - available on Amazon.com) discusses her BAP childhood and family's BAP legacy (four generations). Visit www.anandaleeke.com to learn more about Leeke and her creative adventures.
Videos
Blog Posts
The Disappointment and Despair of Depression
Posted by Yama on February 8, 2010 at 2:00pm
BAP Living Radio's 2010 Season Begins February 7 at 7pm EST.
Great News! BAP Living Radio's 2010 season begins on February 7 at 7:00 p.m. EST. Visit http://www.talkshoe.com/tc/18598.
Guess what? We are celebrating the third season folks! WOW!
The new season begins with a new theme and format. The theme is "Celebrating… Continue
Posted by Ananda Kiamsha Madelyn Leeke on February 4, 2010 at 5:24pm
REMINDERS - Wear Red on Feb. 5 for Women's Heart Health & Honor Black HIV AIDS Day on Feb. 7
I just wanted to remind you fabulous folks about two health observances this month. See below.
February is Women's Heart Health Month. National Red Wear Day is February 5. Put on something red (dress, shirt, pants, skirt, shoes, boots, jewelry, or lipstick) to show support for women's heart… Continue
Posted by Ananda Kiamsha Madelyn Leeke on February 4, 2010 at 4:00pm
What does it mean to be a Black man?
A Tribute to Deno, painting by Ananda Leeke
(appears on back cover of Love’s Troubadours – Karma: Book One – www.lovestroubadours.com)
Happy Thursday,
Today I am celebrating the birthday of my best friend and co-writer Deno Moss. Deno was bo… Continue
Posted by Ananda Kiamsha Madelyn Leeke on February 4, 2010 at 3:36pm
Do you know what post-black means?
Hey Everbody!
As many of you might know, I am writing my next novel Love’s Troubadours – Symon: Book Two. I am in the midst of a research and reading phase that has me on a bottomless pit search for all things interesting. So far, my adventures have been online and offline. My eyes have travele… Continue
Posted by Ananda Kiamsha Madelyn Leeke on February 3, 2010 at 1:21pm
Celebrate Erzulie, the Haitian Goddess of Love in February!
Ananda Leeke's wire sculpture Erzulie's Black Heart
Photo Credit: Leigh Mosley - www.leighmosley.com
Great News All!
Yesterday I learned my wire sculpture “Erzulie’s Black Heart” will be featured in the Caribbean Cultural Center Afri… Continue
Posted by Ananda Kiamsha Madelyn Leeke on February 3, 2010 at 1:14pm — 4 Comments
Beautiful Black History Made By India.Arie Saluting Dr. Ruth Simmons, President of Brown University
bflower beth 2010
Uploaded by yardie4lifever2. - More video blogs and vloggers.
Happy Middle of the Week Day!
Watch India.Arie’s tribute performance to Dr. Ruth Simmons, President of Brown University. It was featured on BET’s Honors telecast. It is just what… Continue
Posted by Ananda Kiamsha Madelyn Leeke on February 3, 2010 at 1:00pm
The Bluest Eye
A couple of months ago my mom and I were oohing and aahing about my god sister's newborn baby girl. She was beautiful: perfect cupid bow lips and quite shockingly bright blue eyes! She was perfect, an angel. As we chatted with my god sister she casually mentioned that she hoped her baby didn’t get any dark… Continue
Thinking Instead of Doing
Change gonna cu-uuum
I sing this song to myself quite often when I feel down. That song permeates to my marrow. The notes slowly transform the pain prickles in my shoulders to a soothing pulsation.
I am struggling with the same doubts and insecurities that have plagued me for several years. But I am over it. I want to be over it. The exhaustion is exhausting.
I know one thing.
I think too much.
So instead of steaming in the f… Continue
Posted by Yama on February 2, 2010 at 6:26pm — 2 Comments
Celebrate February with Ananda and her online yoga classes, author chats, and creative coaching sessions.
February is one of my favorite months. I am celebrating February by offering online yoga classes, author chats, and creative coaching sessions. See my schedule of online events below. I hope you can join me. Please share them with your network.
If you like or learn anything from these online events, please consider making a donation to support Doctors Without Borders’ work to improve the lives of Haitians impacted by the January 12th earthquake. Click here to learn more and make a dona… Continue
Posted by Ananda Kiamsha Madelyn Leeke on February 1, 2010 at 6:26pm
Forum
Did you see Disney's The Princess and the Frog? What did you think?
Started by Ananda Kiamsha Madelyn Leeke in BAP Feminine Fundamentals - Fine Art, Music, Culture, and Films Dec. 15, 2009.
Writer's Block?
Started by Gerry DeBerry in BAP Feminine Fundamentals - Following Your Yellow Brick Road (careers, starting a business, and living your dreams) Aug. 2, 2009.
NYC - Adult Etiquette Hours of Power presented by The Phenomenal Women Group, Inc
Started by DNMP in BAP Feminine Fundamentals - For You Aug. 2, 2009.
Seeking to start your own business 1 Reply
Started by Gertee in BAP Feminine Fundamentals - For You. Last reply by CeeCee Woolard Jul. 20, 2009.
RIP Michael Jackson – A Major Force of Creative Inspiration in My Life 4 Replies
Started by Ananda Kiamsha Madelyn Leeke in BAP Feminine Fundamentals - Fine Art, Music, Culture, and Films. Last reply by Ananda Kiamsha Madelyn Leeke Jun. 26, 2009.
About
Events
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Partner Yoga
February 13, 2010 from 2pm to 4pm – Blissful Yoga & Massage, LLC.
What BAP Living Loves
Kindred, Webisode Series - Official Trailer from SistaPAC Productions on Vimeo.
Check out a new web tv show called Kindred. It tells the story of three twenty-something African-American women who navigate family, work and love against the gritty skyline of New York City. Kindred was written and produced by SistaPAC Productions and directed by acclaimed director, Hezues R' - Eye On It.
Margaux Delotte-Bennett is an amazing creative woman, writer, and performer. She wrote and performed "Black and Kinky Amongst Brown Waves," a poetic journey that takes you back to her year of adventure in India. She explores issues of race, gender, culture, and connection as a Black woman in India.
Happily Ever After is an amazing documentary about the positive images of Black hetersexual marriages by Ronnie and Lamar Tyler, founders of Black and Married with Kids blog. It is available on Amazon.com.
BAP Living members in DC/MD/VA support the re-opening of Sisterspace and Books, 3717 Georgia Avenue N.W., WDC (202-829-0306).
BAP Living ladies get ready for Sade's Soldier of Love CD that drops in February 2010.
BAP Living bloggers should check out the b-link created by the Mama Law Media Group, founders of Blogalicious. The b-link was created to serve as a PR Matchmaker ... a bridge between women bloggers of color and the brands that want to reach them. Join the group. It can help you move your blog to a higher level!
Tanekeya Word is the "Duchess of Pop Art" and the kind of artist all BAPs will love.
The Saartjie Project is a powerful group of creative women who make up a multidisciplinary ensemble theater company that explores the intersections of race, gender & power through black women's voices and bodies. All BAPs should know about TSP!
The Mama Law Justices Ny, Fergie, and Jonesie host The Verdict, a fantastic monthly chat and show on MomTV that BAPs will love.
The Savvy Sista blog features sista news BAPs need to know about.
FlavorDiva.com inspires African-American ladies to reclaim their culinary talent and skills held by previous generations of Black women, and promotes well-being through food.
Cocoa OM Online blog by Shawna Renee Madison offers fabulous yoga wisdom for BAPs.
Faith Hunter Yoga's free podcasts can help BAPs practice yoga in their own homes.
Stay in the know about social media and technoclogy by reading the following sista blogs and columns:
-Digital Sista Shireen Mitchell (Geekette since 1984)
-Creative Blog Solutions by Terri Holley
-But You're A Girl by Adria Richards
-SheGeek.net by Corvida Raven
-Social Media Spin by Ghennipher Weeks
-Technicultr by Jessica Faye Carter
-Faith Dow's SF Social Media Examiner column on Examiner.com
-Ananda Leeke's D.C. Social Media Examiner column on Examiner.com
Natalie McNeal's The Frugalista Files can help BAPs stay on budget and live a fabulous frugal life.
Black Author Showcase is a great place to discover new African American authors, poets, novelists, and other writers.
Chic Chocolate is a fashion, beauty, and lifestyle blog that can keep BAPs on their fashion and beauty toes.
Gina McCauley's Michelle Obama Watch blog is the first source for all information about our FLOTUS Michelle Obama.
Deanna Sutton's Clutch Magazine is a BAP essential!
Gloria Ware's Black and Into Green blog is one of the best resources of living green as African Americans.
Prissy Mommy Chronicles is a blog by Yakini, an African American mom, wife, and psychologist who shares her experiences with balancing the baby, household, and career, while also maintaining her identity as self-proclaimed "priss-pot."
Explore these women-centered groups, web sites, and social networking sites for resources and information:
-BlogHer
-MomTV
-ShesGeeky
-SheWrites
© 2010 Created by Ananda Kiamsha Madelyn Leeke on Ning. Create a Ning Network!
