'E' for Excellence Award

We are honored to receive the 'E' For Excellence award from Maryannville. Maryannville is a popular blog created by Mary Ann. Mary Ann traveled from border-to-border and coast-to-coast before settling in a town with zip code 'E-I-E-I-O'. I met Mary Ann during the Blogging-To-Fame contest two years ago. She is a powerhouse blogger. As such, it meant alot when she shared this award with us.

The rules state that after receiving the Excellent Blog Award, you must pass it on to 10 more excellent bloggers. Here are the ten bloggers that I would like to share this award with today:

• Michael Lang (Black Digerati)
• Ajuan Mance (Black on Campus)
• Kyra Hicks (Black Threads)
• Angela Benton & Markus Robinson (Black Web 2.0)
• Khepera (Electronic Drum)
• Tanisha Mathis (Essential Presence)
• Baratunde Thurston & Cheryl Contee (Jack & Jill Politics)
• Keith Owens (The 'D' Spot)
• Janet Shan (The Hinterland Gazette)
• Grata (The Village)

Congratulations to each of 'em for doing what they do! I hope that all villagers will take a moment to visit these ten Excellent Bloggers.

New AfroSpear Member: The "D" Spot

Many villagers know that I lived in Detroit back in the day. In fact, my maternal grandparents made a home in Detroit for most of their lives. As such, I have a soft spot in my heart for the city. The recent negative press coming down on Detroit is gut-wrenching.

So, I'm very glad to welcome Keith Owens into the AfroSpear with his blog, The "D" Spot (BBR #515).

The “D” Spot is all about Detroit as seen through the ever-watchful eyes of a brother, born and raised in Denver, Colorado, who came to Detroit 14 years ago on a cold January morning to work as an editorial writer/columnist for The Detroit Free Press. Keith offers his observations and experiences as his own personal and heartfelt contribution toward the revitalization of a great city through balanced commentary and public reflection designed to a light on the “strange beautiful” that is Detroit. Keith hopes that this light will help to clear away at least a portion of the encrusted debris that has for so long been mistaken for the truth trapped beneath.

Keith feels that the Afrospear was created "To harness the collective intellectual and creative energy of black bloggers from all corners."

Premio Brillante Award

Lady Deborah (My Brown Eyed View) presented our blog with the 2008 Premio Brillante Weblog Award. She wrote, "This blog keeps me inspired and focused on the important matters of the day. Villager is actively working within the blogosphere and in real time to bring about change."

My mom would call me "brilliant" when I was a young villager. I guess all parents pump up their children with such praise. Anyhow, the word "brilliant" retains a special place in my heart. As such, I'm very proud to earn this blogger award!


The rules for the 2008 Premio Brillante Award are simple enough:

• Add the logo of the award to your blog
• Link to the blogger who awarded it to you
• Give it to at least 7 other blogs
• Link to those blogs
• Leave a comment for your nominees on their blogs

There are a number of remarkable blogs out in the world. Here are seven blogs that are not widely known. They bring it hard and strong on a regular basis. I hope you take a moment to visit each of these award winners.

1. BlackCynic America - This young brotha is laugh-out-loud funny and insightful in his comments on the presidential election, Beijing Olympics and the entertainment world. Methinks he will be a new member of The AfroSpear in the very near future.


2. Black On Campus - I love blogs that have a unique niche. One such blog is run by Dr. Ajuan Mance. She is an associate professor of English and Mills College in Oakland, CA and the creator of Twilight and Reason: Higher Education and the African American Experience. For her, literature, history, and higher education are passions bordering, at times, on obsessions. I encourage all villagers to take a moment to enjoy the uplifting and educational posts on this blog.


3. Black Threads - I was inspired by the story of Michelle Obama and her older brother. As such, I want all villagers to visit this blog owned & operated by my younger sister. She is an internationally-recognized expert on African American quilts and quilters. She is an inspiration for me and others in our family.


4. Mrs. Grapevine - I have never met this sister. I'm not a big fan of gossip blogs. However, it is clear that Mrs. Grapevine has musical taste and a soul that is very similiar to my own. As such, I find myself enjoying her blog posts and her comments. I encourage all villagers to check out her self-titled blog!


5. The Black Tech Report - This blog provides a daily dose of technology. The stated mission for this blog is to be a voice where there has not been one. To bring real information to individuals, and businesses where there has not been great information. To encourage, empower, and advise people on past, present, and the future of technology.


6. The 'D' Spot - The “D” Spot is all about Detroit as seen through the ever-watchful eyes of two Detroiters - husband and wife - who have experienced their city in very different ways. I have been following Keith's insights on a city that I called home for 8 years. Detroit is going through challenging times. I invite all villagers to look at it from an insider's perspective. It helps that Keith's writing style is outstanding!


7. The Happy Go Lucky Bachelor - I don't have one of those widgets that tracks the villagers who leave the most comments. If I did than Mike would be at the top of the list. Mike has been very supportive of my blog. In return, I share this blog award with him for the creative nature of his eclectic blog. His blog requires you to use critical thinking skills and to have a very big sense of humor!

What do you think about our seven choices for this Premio Brillante Award?

Blog Safari #8

Sometimes it is difficult to comment or read all of the unique and interesting blog posts out in the afrosphere. That is why we use this 'Blog Safari' concept. I hope you enjoy these blog post referrals:

• BlackPerspective.net - Podcast with Olympic Athletes on Darfur Genocide


• BlackPerspectives.net - Animal Farm


• Dallas South Blog - Use of Force Continuum Needs Revisiting Due to Lethal Nature of Taser Gunds


• HustleKnockin' - Chioma Gray, Still Missing, Still Deserves to be Found


• The 'D' Spot - The History of Black Detroit

Let us know if you come across any remarkable posts that should be shared in our next Blog Safari!

5 More Blogs That Make Me Think

It hasn't been a full three months yet since my first blog post. It is wonderful to have an outlet such as this to share insights and thoughts on the issues of the day. My hope is that the Electronic Village becomes a daily destination for others in cyberspace interested in talking about Black culture, family, information technology, science fiction, small business development or any number of other topics. I ask that you imagine yourself sitting in the shade under our baobob tree ... enjoying libations and good company of other villagers ... sharing your comments, insights and thoughts.

We are pleased that our imagery appeals to a growing number of visiting villagers. One of the first people to visit with us was Jim Walton (Black in Business). Jim named the Electronic Village as one of the five blogs that make him think. Not Fearing Change did the same thing last month. It is humbling that both of these experienced bloggers feel we deserve The Thinking Blogger Award. My responsibility is to return the favor. I must abide by the rules of this award and name five blogs that make me think.

The first 5 blogs that make me think are still going strong.

Here are 5 more:

1. African American ~Black~ Opinion - This is actually a repeat from last time. However, I am even more intriqued by the direction that Bro. Rock is taking his blog. He is providing a portal for other bloggers in the Afrosphere to make their voices heard. This blog is one that I read daily. You may want to check 'em out regularly as well.
2. the field negro - I absolutely love the House Negro of the Day and Movie of the Day features that field announces every day. He recently shared his thoughts on 'patio negros' that caused some introspection on my part. I'm probably a 'patio negro' at this stage of my life. Come correct to the field negro ... or don't come at all. However, if your self-esteem is high, then I recommend the field negro blog to anyone interested in candor about race relations issues in our country.
3. Fort Wayne African American Independent Woman - credo is the creative genius behind this blog focused on local, regional, and national politics, race relations, community affairs, economic development for small businesses. She is generous in her comments here on the Electronic Village. She was the first to introduce me to the concept of the Afro-Spear. Her blog consistently gives me reasons to sit back and ponder the state of things.
4. The 'D' Spot - Keith is one of the best writers that I've seen in the blogosphere. He uses words to paint a picture. He takes the time to look at issues from a variety of perspectives in a humorous manner. The 'D' Spot focuses on issues related to Detroit, however, anyone that lives in any big city in America will find posts on this blog that resonate with them.
5. Paula Mooney - Paula has a self-titled blog that moves from topic to topic. Quite a few of her posts are about entertainment issues. However, I come back to her blog most of the time to pick up tips on how to monetize my blog. She has been very candid about the money she's earned from blogging. I find her tips easier to understand than many of the other power bloggers out there. Anyhow, I do recommend Paula's blog for any of us newbie bloggers that think we want to get some nickels and dimes back from our online efforts.

These are five more blogs that make me think. Obviously, there are dozens of other blogs and bloggers out there that we enjoy here in da Village. Many of the ones that we enjoy are included in our Afrosphere, Cool and Nubian blogrolls over in the left-hand navigation bar. However, the rules of this meme limit me to handing out the award to only five blogs. It is now the responsibility of these five villagers to write a post with links to 5 blogs that make them think.

Have you visited any of the five blogs listed above? Do you have any comments on them that you would like to share?