Showing posts with label blogs. Show all posts
Showing posts with label blogs. Show all posts

September 1, 2015

Introduce Yourself

Hotep! My vision for the Electronic Village is simple. I want you to feel that you have entered a warm and welcoming enclave where you can rest for a moment under our baobob tree and share libations with fellow villagers.

Just relax for a moment in your hectic surfing through cyberspace ... relax and enjoy the vibe of our Electronic Village.

We hope that our voice is a worthy one in the blogosphere. The Electronic Village strives to share information that uplifts people of African descent throughout the diaspora. There are a number of ways that you can hear our drumbeat in a timely manner. However, we realize that it is your drumbeat that makes us better. Please comment freely on any post that you read here in the Electronic Village.

If you have any questions, or want to promote your blog then you can do this here! Just leave a 'comment' to this post.

March 1, 2009

Evolution of the AfroSpear

The AfroSpear continues to evolve from its origin a few short months ago when FreeSlave and others ruminated on 'What to do in the Afrosphere'.

There is a blogosphere out there with a kazillion bloggers. The blogosphere is not very diverse according to the Washington Post. Some white bloggers and some Black bloggers. The Black bloggers make up something that is commonly referred to as the "Blackosphere".

Within the "Blackosphere" are many Black bloggers posting information on any number of subjects. Those concerned African Diaspora bloggers who discuss problems that affect people of African descent, create solutions and action plans to solve those problems, and enact the plans using Internet resources evolved into a more intimate group known as the "Afrosphere". This group is organizing with itself as an Afrosphere Bloggers Association.

And deep within the soul of the "Afrosphere" is the vanguard of bloggers of African descent known as "The AfroSpear". The AfroSpear works to carve a path for our people into this 21st century. In effect, the AfroSpear is the realization of an online think tank for Black progressives to discuss, muse, and ruminate issues that affect our communities. The AfroSpear is not a monolithic entity ... but rather a virtual force that encourages lively debate, discourse, and an occasional disagreement as we hone a thought or platform on a particular issue.

Francis Holland created a diagram that shows this evolution in a more visual manner.

The roster of AfroSpear bloggers is powerful in terms of quality and growing daily. It is a group of brothers and sisters achieving positive and actionable results on a wide range of issues. As PlezWorld noted,
'...the real power and effectiveness of such an AfroSpear will be borne out of its ability to affect change in our way of life and in a broader sense, that of America. Let's see if our collective foray into the great abyss of the blogosphere will be a call to those who need our votes or to those who seek our approval.'
I am proud to be a member of the blogosphere, Blackosphere, Afrosphere and AfroSpear! I encourage you to check out the AfroSpear Blogroll over on the left-hand side of my blog. Visit some of these brothers and sisters and support their efforts to 'make a difference' for our peeps. If you are a Black blogger of African descent ... then I invite you to be part of Villager's Black Blog Rankings.

In any case, I'm interested in your thoughts about the evolution of The AfroSpear. Well villagers ... what say u?

October 13, 2008

I Love Your Blog Award

There are many villagers that quietly join us to enjoy the posts and comments without sharing their village voice. Our blog never seems to get much in the way of COMMENTS in comparison to our daily hits. I appreciate the stealth villagers as much as those that are move 'vocal'.

One of my stealth villagers is Tey, a busy working Filipina mom living in Toronto. Tey publishes 'My Daily Thoughts'. Tey presented us with the 'I Love Your Blog Award' "... for his informative posts about Black people (just love it)."

I appreciated the love last year when she gave our blog the award. I figure it was time to share some love with other blogs that deserve it. The Electronic Village presents the 'I Love Your Blog Award' to five others that we read and enjoy often. They are more than welcome to pass along the award to other blogs which they love to read as well and so on.
  1. RaceWire - This blog comes strong and correct with information about both race and politics.
  2. TransGriot - Monica Roberts is a powerful voice for transgender issues in person and through the afrosphere. I've learned that all of us have concerns about politics and life choices. Monica is a goals-oriented sista with great insights shared on her blog.
  3. Black Tennis Pro's - Shelia provides a constant flow about African American tennis players from the amateur ranks up through world's #1 Serena Williams. I haven't played tennis for many moons, however I do enjoy my stealth visits to this blog.
  4. Sojourner's Place - Sojourner just competed a complete overhaul of her blog template. It is unique and it is perfectly suited for her flow. SjP is one of my favorite blogs in the universe!
  5. BDPA Detroit TAC - Cliff Samuels publishes this technology-based blog. Cliff is a colleague and rarely do technology blogs catch a break when it comes to blog awards ... so I hope some villagers will visit Cliff and show him some love!
Congratulations to all of you and thanks for writing such great blogs. Villagers, who are the blogs and bloggers that YOU love?

September 10, 2008

2008 Black Weblog Award Winners


The 2008 Black Weblog Award Winners have been announced. Each category has a popular vote and a judges’ vote winner. The popular vote is determined by the people (the finalist with the most votes wins) and the judges’ vote is determined by the judges (who review all blogs nominated, including the finalists). The winners are:


Blog of the Year
Popular Vote: Young, Black and Fabulous
Judges’ Vote: Jack & Jill Politics

Best Blog Community
Popular Vote: The Urban Blogger
Judges’ Vote: Blackfolk

Best Blog Design
Popular Vote: Young, Black and Fabulous
Judges’ Vote: SoulBounce

Best Business Blog
Popular Vote: Young Black Professional Guide
Judges’ Vote: Buzzology Surveys

Best Celebrity Blog
Popular Vote: KanyƩ West
Judges’ Vote: Shaun Robinson

Best Culture Blog
Popular Vote: Afrobella
Judges’ Vote: The Liberator Magazine

Best Faith-Based Blog
Popular Vote: Gospel Fab
Judges’ Vote: The Infidel Guy Show

Best Fictional Blog
Popular Vote: The Li’l Creole Pimp Chronicles
Judges’ Vote: Welcome to Buena Beach

Best Food Blog
Popular Vote: Everyday Cooking
Judges’ Vote: NYAM

Best Gossip Blog
Popular Vote: Young, Black and Fabulous
Judges’ Vote: Bossip.com

Best Group Blog
Popular Vote: Concrete Loop
Judges’ Vote: Jack & Jill Politics

Best Hip-Hop Blog
Popular Vote: SOHH.com
Judges’ Vote: Nah Right

Best Humor Blog
Popular Vote: Crunk + Disorderly
Judges’ Vote: Yeah…I Said It!

Best International Blog
Popular Vote: That Grape Juice
Judges’ Vote: Scribbles from the Den

Best LGBT Blog
Popular Vote: Pam’s House Blend

Best Music Blog
Popular Vote: SoulBounce
Judges’ Vote: SoulBounce

Best New Blog
Popular Vote: Keeping Up With The Huxtables
Judges’ Vote: Gureala

Best Personal Blog
Popular Vote: The Beautiful Struggler: Me, Myself An Eye
Judges’ Vote: JNez@thirtydaes.com

Best Photo Blog
Popular Vote: Sandra Rose
Judges’ Vote: Afro Sugar

Best Podcast
Popular Vote: The Insanity Report
Judges’ Vote: Mixed Chicks Chat

Best Political/News Blog
Popular Vote: The Field Negro
Judges’ Vote: The Field Negro

Best Science/Technology Blog
Popular Vote: Nerd With Swag
Judges’ Vote: SheGeeks
Best Sports/Recreation Blog
Popular Vote: Sportaphile
Judges’ Vote: Ed the Sports Fan

Best Style and Fashion Blog
Popular Vote: Afrobella
Judges’ Vote: Scandalous Beauty

Best Teen Blog
Popular Vote: My Teenage Years
Judges’ Vote: Life, Society and Style

Best Video Blog
Popular Vote: Love B. Scott
Judges’ Vote: Ill Doctrine

Best Writing in a Blog
Popular Vote: Afrobella
Judges’ Vote: The Black Snob

Blog to Watch
Popular Vote: DC to BC
Judges’ Vote: The Peoples News

Congratulations to each of these brothers and sisters ... especially my colleagues in The AfroSpear (Jack and Jill Politics, Pam's House Blend, The Black Snob, The Field Negro and Young Black Professional Guide)!

August 5, 2008

Nominations Open for Black Weblog Awards


The nomination process for the 2008 Black Weblog Awards are open from August 1-16. I encourage all villagers to learn more about these awards. However, the main thing is for you to take a moment to nominate your favorite Black owned/operated blogs.

Here’s who I nominated:
I took some time to try to identify a nominee for each category. I didn't know who to nominate for Best Fictional Blog, Best Food Blog, Best Music Blog, Best Teen Blog or Best Video Blog. I felt odd nominating my own blog ... but, the rules allow for it ... so I went with it.

Have you submitted your nominations yet?

June 12, 2008

New AfroSpear Member: Maybe It's Just Me...

The AfroSpear added a new member this week. 'Maybe It's Just Me...', created by Viktor, began in October 2007.

Viktor tells us that he will use his blog "to inform SGL, LGBT and queers of color about life and other important matters within our community; to educate and uplift our community; to present positive images of our community to the readers; and to challenge the views and stereotypes that beset our community."

'Maybe It's Just Me...' (BBR #812) is a very unique blog in the afrosphere. I encourage all villagers to take a moment to check it out!

June 7, 2008

Definition of The AfroSpear

The afrosphere contains thousands of Black-owned and operated blogs. Currently, we have identified over 1,200 of them on our Black Blog Rankings. The afrosphere is growing and becoming noticed more by the media. The many different blog voices in the afrosphere share insights on business, civil rights, education, entertainment, fashion, gossip, politics, science, social commentary and so much more.
Over the past few months we have watched the growth of a small section within the afrosphere. This evolving section of the afrosphere is known as The AfroSpear.

The AfroSpear strives to be an effective advocacy voice for Black people that is heard loudly, clearly and influentially throughout the Diaspora. As the think tank for the afrosphere, the AfroSpear is a collective of Black bloggers from around the world who convene online to discuss, strategize, and develop solutions to national and international problems affecting people of the African Diaspora.
The fuel for success of The AfroSpear is the constituency of readers that stretches around the globe, many of whom are activists in their own local communities. AfroSpear bloggers provide information necessary to organize and mobilize their constituents to take action in bringing our issues to national and international attention.

The AfroSpear seeks to influence and improve the lives of Blacks politically, socially, economically, culturally, and even spiritually. As such, The AfroSpear does not discriminate on the basis of national origin, religion, gender, sexual preference, native language, ethnicity or disability. Share some love with the following roster of AfroSpear blogs:






Well, brothers and sisters ... do you have a better feel for the difference between the afrosphere and The AfroSpear now? Please take a moment to provide your thoughts on either or both group. What say u?

June 3, 2008

Blog Safari #1

Here are some interesting blog posts that we came across while hunting outside of our village recently. I hope you enjoy the knowledge dropped by these enlightened blogs:

After you visit these other villages I hope you'll come back and share your thoughts!

June 2, 2008

Top Ten Black Blogs (Jun 2008)


We continue to appreciate the support that many provide to our Black Blog Rankings (BBR). The San Francisco Chronicle wrote an article last month that noted the BBR has grown from 75 blogs (Sept 2007) to over 1200 blogs (Jun 2008). Also, Prometheus 6 (BBR #92) and Open Entrance (BBR #108) agreed to work with us to automate the data-gathering process with Technorati and other measurement sources.

Today, we are proud to share with you Villager's Black Blog Rankings (BBR) for June 2008 with 1,239 blogs in the mix! We are missing many Black blogs. Please let us know if you see any of your favorites that are not on the list!

I continue to seek somebody that can create a sidebar button that can be used by anyone that wants to help promote the BBR. Please contact me if you have an idea for the graphic that we can use for this sidebar button. Take a moment to see where your blog falls on the list ... then tell your blog readers ... and share some link-love with this post!

Anyhow, with no further ado, here are the Top Ten Black Blogs for June 2008:

  1. The Bossip: Bossip.com (Authority: 1,099 / Rank: 3,946) - [Entertainment] Bossip.com is BBR #1 for the fourth month in a row. Entertainment (or gossip) blogs appear to have a large claim on the hearts and minds of Black people. This is topic of online discussion here and here. I'm still waiting for the Bossip.com folks to send us a little 'link-love' for our villagers... maybe this will be the month!
  2. Pam Spaulding: Pam's House Blend (Authority: 1,091 / Rank: 3,986) - [Politics] Truth to tell, I believe that Pam is going to move into the #1 slot over the next few weeks as a result of being credentialed to blog on the floor of the Democratic National Convention. The eyes of the world will be on this year's convention ... especially when Barack Obama gives his acceptance speech on the anniversary of the MLK 'I Have a Dream' speech. Pam and the other Black bloggers at the DNC make us all proud. We appreciate the 'link-love' that Pam provided to our blog!

  3. Angel Laws: Concrete Loop (Authority: 997 / Rank: 2,716) - [Entertainment] Angel Laws, a 23-year-old college student in Jacksonville, NC, started this blog as a hobby. Sis. Laws is very well-known in the blog industry as a result of her ability to post about Black celebrity's in a timely and quality manner. Her entertainment blog focuses on gossip, music, celebrity interviews, pictures and such. Angel has been kind enough to visit with us in the past. I suppose she is waiting until she overtakes Bossip.com before she sends some 'link-love' to our blog!

  4. ESKAY: Nah Right (Authority: 860 / Rank: 3,430) - [Entertainment] ESKAY is doing some powerful things with this blog began three years ago in May 2005. It is the fastest moving of the top-tier Black blogs last month. There is still some distance before Nah Right catches up to Concrete Loop, however, ESKAY is definitely on the move. Nah Right focus is on Music and Movies. We are very grateful to Nah Right for being included as a post on their blog. It resulted in our blog having record-breaking visits and page views for two days in a row last month.
  5. Oliver Willis: Oliver Willis (Authority: 672 / Rank: 4,907) - [Politics] Oliver began his blog in April 2005. One of the highlights of Oliver's blogging career occurred last month when he was selected as part of the DemConvention General Bloggers Corp. Oliver seeks to have a one-on-one interview with Nobel Laureate Al Gore while he is in Denver. I anticipate that his blog will grow over the coming weeks as we get closer to the Democratic National Convention in August.
  6. Natasha Eubanks: Young, Black & Fabulous (Authority: 645 / Rank: 5,299) - [Entertainment] Natasha is a 25-year old law student in Washington DC. It appears that she successfully completed her transition from blogspot.com domain to her own domain over the past few months. Her blog remains one of the hottest Black celebrity gossip sites on the net since it was created in June 2005. Top tags on her blog are Candids, Parties and Rumor Control. Someone let this sister know about her top ranking on our BBR. Perhaps it will be worth some link-love this month!
  7. Sandra Rose: Sandra Rose (Authority: 465 / Rank: 8,190) - [Entertainment] Sandra Rose moved up a few notches in the BBR Top Ten this month. Sandra Rose transitioned from her blogger.com platform to her own domain over the past few months. Her fans appear to have found the newer blog location. Sandra's hook is her photography. She is a celebrity photographer with a portfolio of work that includes some of the greats from Janet Jackson to Usher and all points in-between and otherwise. Sandra Rose is Atlanta’s go-to-photographer when it comes to all things celebrity. I understand she only gives link-love to blogs that she follows or posts that she links to. Hopefully, we will make the cut this month!

  8. Fresh Crunkjuice: Crunk & Disorderly* (Authority: 452 / Rank: 8,585) - [Entertainment] This gossip blog, created in August 2004, fell four spots to BBR #8 this month. Not to worry. Fresh Crunkjuice bought his own domain a few months ago. This blogspot.com domain is being retired and will continue to fall in the BBR. However, I anticipate that his other blog will crack the Top 10 shortly ... it is currently sitting at BBR #30.

  9. Jack Turner and Jill Tubman: Jack and Jill Politics* (Authority: 444 / Rank: 8,800) - [Politics] JJP joins Pam and Oliver as top-ranked Black political bloggers credentialed to be on the floor of the 2008 National Democratic Convention in Denver later this summer. More and more blog readers will begin to take notice of the presidential campaign as the realization of an African American POTUS begins to take hold. JJP provides a uniquely Black bourgeois perspective on American politics. Top tags for this blog are 2008 Democratic Primary, Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton. I noticed that our Electronic Village hasn't earned a place in the JJP blogroll. We'll keep workin' at it ... perhaps that link-love will come soon!
  10. Tempest: The Angry Black Woman (Authority: 380 / Rank: 10,693) - [Social Commentary] Oddly enough, this blog was in the Top 10 back in September 2007. The Angry Black Woman focuses on issues related to sexism and racism. Her blog provides a safe space for talking about these and other related issues. As the sister says, "We can’t stop being angry until the fight is over. And the fight is far from over, kids."



The only qualification is that the blogger needs to be of African descent. The blogger does not have to be a member of The AfroSpear or the Afrosphere Bloggers Association, although we invite all Black bloggers to join either (or both) of those organizations.

Those blogs with an asterisk after their name are members of The AfroSpear.

Black Blog Rankings lean heavily on the Technorati Authority and Rank score for each blog. The Technorati authority and rank numbers are shown in parenthesis. The authority figure includes a number of factors including the number of blogs that are linked to this blogger over the past six months. The rank number indicates how many blogs are between the person listed and the #1 ranked blog in the world.

We do think that these Black blogs are important spheres of influence. Let them know that you appreciate the work they have put in over the past few months and years to get on this list. My vision is that many of the brothers and sisters on this month's BBR will join us later this year at the Blogging While Brown conference in Atlanta, GA on July 25-27, 2008.

Finally, I encourage all bloggers to provide some link-love to this post so that your readers can learn about the Villager's Black Blog Rankings! Next step is yours ... what say u?

May 29, 2008

Diverse Blogger Pool Selected for 2008 Democratic National Convention

It turns out that a record number of blogs will receive credentials for the 2008 Democratic National Convention. And it appears that the DNC leadership took time to consider the issue of diversity in this round of selections.

I am very proud of the African American bloggers who raised the red flag when the State Bloggers Corp was announced earlier this month. I am very proud of the private discussions and the very public discussions that allowed the DNC to correct a potential controversy from extending further into the summer. The end result is that our powerful politically-based Black bloggers in the afrosphere will be connecting the rest of us to the sights and sounds of a truly historic event in Denver later this year.

Villagers -- WE WON! Never before have blogs been included in such strong numbers and provided with resources that will enable them to be the eyes and ears of so many at the Convention.

The following blogs have been credentialed:
  1. 2008 Democratic Convention Watch - http://demconwatch.blogspot.com/
  2. 43rdStateBlues.com - http://43rdstateblues.com/
  3. AFL-CIO NOW Blog - http://blog.aflcio.org/
  4. African American Political Pundit (BBR #87) - http://aapoliticalpundit.blogspot.com/
  5. AMERICAblog.com - http://americablog.com/
  6. Asian American Action Fund Blog - http://aaa-fund.com/
  7. Badlands Blue - http://badlandsblue.com/
  8. Bagnews Notes - http://bagnewsnotes.com/
  9. Beliefnet - http://beliefnet.com/
  10. Bitch Ph.D. - http://bitchphd.blogspot.com/
  11. Blogger News Network - http://bloggernews.net/
  12. Blogging For Michigan - http://bloggingformichigan.com/
  13. BlogHer - http://blogher.com/
  14. Blue Hampshire - http://bluehampshire.com/
  15. Blue Indiana - http://blueindiana.net/
  16. Blue Jersey - http://bluejersey.com/
  17. Blue Mass. Group - http://bluemassgroup.com/
  18. BlueGrassRoots - http://bluegrassroots.org/
  19. BlueNC.com -http://bluenc.com/
  20. BlueOregon -http://blueoregon.com/
  21. Buckeye State Blog - http://buckeyestateblog.com/
  22. Burnt Orange Report -http://burntorangereport.com/
  23. Calitics - http://calitics.com/
  24. Campus Progress - http://campusprogress.org/
  25. Celtic Diva's Blue Oasis -http://divasblueoasis.blogspot.com/
  26. Change to Win -http://changetowin.org/
  27. Colorado Confidential -http://coloradoconfidential.com/
  28. Cotton Mouth Blog -http://cottonmouthblog.blogspot.com/
  29. CracktheBell.com -http://crackthebell.com/
  30. Crooks and Liars -http://crooksandliars.com/
  31. culturekitchen -http://culturekitchen.com/
  32. Daily Kingfish -http://dailykingfish.com/
  33. Daily Kos -http://dailykos.com/
  34. Dallas South Blog (BBR #84) -http://dallassouthblog.com/
  35. DCist.com -http://dcist.com/
  36. Democracy Arsenal -http://democracyarsenal.org/
  37. Democracy for New Mexico -http://democracyfornewmexico.com/
  38. Democratic Party of the U.S. Virgin Islands -http://groups.yahoo.com/group/democratvi
  39. Democratic Underground -http://democraticunderground.com/
  40. Democrats Abroad Argentina -http://yanquimike.com.ar/
  41. DemoOkie -http://demookie.com/
  42. Digby's Hullabaloo -http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/
  43. Disaboom.com -http://disaboom.com/
  44. Doc's Political Parlor -http://politicalparlor.net/
  45. DoubleSpeak -http://doublespeakshow.com/
  46. Eschaton -http://atrios.blogspot.com/
  47. EverydayCitizen.com -http://everydaycitizen.com/
  48. Fired Up! -http://firedupmissouri.com/
  49. Firedoglake -http://firedoglake.com/
  50. Florida Progressive Coalition -http://flaprogressives.org/
  51. Future Majority -http://futuremajority.com/
  52. Georgia Politics Unfiltered http://georgiaunfiltered.blogspot.com/
  53. Green Mountain Daily -http://greenmountaindaily.com/
  54. Grist Magazine -http://grist.org/
  55. Group News Blog -http://groupnewsblog.net/
  56. HispanicTips.com -http://hispanictips.com/
  57. HorsesAss.org -http://horsesass.org/
  58. HummingbirdMinds Blog -http://hummingbirdminds.blogspot.com/
  59. iLind.net -http://ilind.net/
  60. Indianz.com -http://indianz.com/
  61. Jack and Jill Politics (BBR #9) -http://www.jackandjillpolitics.com/
  62. Jusiper -http://jusiper.blogspot.com/
  63. Keystone Politics -http://keystonepolitics.com/
  64. KnoxViews -http://knoxviews.com/
  65. Las Vegas Gleaner -http://lasvegasgleaner.com/
  66. Left In Alabama -http://leftinalabama.com/
  67. Left in the West -http://leftinthewest.com/
  68. Michigan Liberal -http://michiganliberal.com/
  69. Minnesota Monitor -http://minnesotamonitor.com/
  70. MOMocrats -http://momocrats.typepad.com/
  71. My Left Nutmeg -http://myleftnutmeg.com/
  72. MyDD -http://mydd.com/
  73. New Nebraska Network -http://newnebraska.net/
  74. NewsOne.com - http://newsone.com/
  75. No Rest for the Awake -http://minagahet.blogspot.com/
  76. NorthDecoder.com -http://northdecoder.com/
  77. Obsidian Wings -http://obsidianwings.blogs.com/
  78. Ohio Daily Blog -http://ohiodailyblog.com/
  79. OliverWillis.com (BBR #5) - http://oliverwillis.com/
  80. Open Left -http://openleft.com/
  81. Pam's House Blend (BBR #2) -http://pamshouseblend.com/
  82. Political Base -http://politicalbase.com/
  83. Political Wire -http://politicalwire.com/
  84. PoliticalLunch.com -http://politicallunch.com/
  85. PolitickerNJ.com -http://politickernj.com/
  86. PoliticsOnline -http://politicsonline.com/
  87. Pop and Politics -http://popandpolitics.com/
  88. Prairie State Blue -http://prairiestateblue.com/
  89. RaceWire (BBR #75) - http://racewire.org/
  90. Raising Kaine -http://raisingkaine.com/
  91. Raw Story -http://rawstory.com/
  92. Rhode Island's Future -http://rifuture.org/
  93. Room 8 -http://r8ny.com/
  94. Rum, Romanism and Rebellion -http://rumromanismrebellion.net/
  95. RuralVotes -http://ruralvotes.com/thefield
  96. Scholars & Rogues -http://scholarsandrogues.com/
  97. Seeing the Forest -http://seeingtheforest.com/
  98. Sepia Mutiny -http://sepiamutiny.com/
  99. SquareState.net -http://squarestate.net/
  100. Talking Points Memo -http://talkingpointsmemo.com/
  101. TalkLeft -http://talkleft.com/
  102. Taylor Marsh -http://taylormarsh.com/
  103. The Albany Project -http://thealbanyproject.com/
  104. The Center for Emerging Media -http://centerforemergingmedia.com/
  105. The Iowa Independent -http://iowaindependent.com/
  106. The Natchez Blog -http://natchezms.blogspot.com/
  107. The Seminal - http://theseminal.com/
  108. The UpTake -http://theuptake.org/
  109. The Utah Amicus -http://utahamicus.com/
  110. The Washington Independent -http://washingtonindependent.com/
  111. Think Youth -http://thinkyouth.org/
  112. Thought Theater -http://thoughttheater.com/
  113. TommyWonk -http://tommywonk.blogspot.com/
  114. Tondee's Tavern -http://tondeestavern.com/
  115. Towleroad -http://towleroad.com/
  116. Turn Maine Blue -http://turnmaineblue.com/
  117. Under The Dome.com -http://underthedome.com/
  118. Uppity Wisconsin -http://uppitywis.org/
  119. USAmerica Vota '08 -http://usamericavota08.blogspot.com/
  120. VivirLatino.com -http://vivirlatino.com/
  121. West Virginia Blue -http://wvablue.com/
  122. What About Our Daughters? (BBR #16) -http://whataboutourdaughters.com/
  123. Working Life -http://workinglife.org/
  124. Zennie's Zeitgeist (BBR #257) - http://zennie2005.blogspot.com/

I'll be interested to see how others respond to this list of DemConvention Bloggers. Personally, I feel good! What say u?

May 24, 2008

BlackPerspective.net Best Black Blog Finalists

I see that our blog is one of 20 finalists for the BlackPerspective.net Best Black Blogs award. Here is the full list of finalists (in alpha order):

It is an honor to be on a list with these other powerful brothers and sisters. I encourage villagers to check out these other blogs. I understand that the winner will be announced by BlackPerspective.net before the end of the month.

Any thoughts you care to share on these 20 blogs or on the contest in general?

May 10, 2008

1,200th Blog Added to Villager's BBR


Our tradition is to highlight every 100th blog added to the Villager's Black Blog Rankings (BBR). In the past we shared links to the 800th, 900th, 1000th and 1100th blogs added to the BBR.

Today, we are pleased to announce that The True Urban Queen is the 1,200th blog added to the BBR. Sharon Rainey created this blog in January 2008. Sharon is mother of two, author, entrepreneur and (like most sisters!) a shoe addict. Sharon gave insights into her blog when she wrote, "As many of you know this is my personal diary. I may blog about a celebrity or an event going on but, for the most part it is all about me and mine."

I encourage all villagers to take a moment to visit with The True Urban Queen (BBR #516). Perhaps we can convince her to add the Electronic Village to her blogroll...

May 4, 2008

Eskay Demonstrates Power of Gossip Blogs

There have been some great discussions taking place about the high rankings of entertainment and gossip blogs on the Villager's Black Blog Ranking. I learned today that these brothers and sisters who operate entertainment blogs are hard-working and have tremendous influence.

Eskay is the 27-year old owner of Nah Right. He placed a link to the Electronic Village yesterday in his Nah Right Lite section. The result was that we had the largest number of hits in the 16 months of our existence. Whatever else you might think of gossip blogs ... you cannot argue with their large audiences.

My challenge is to give some of the new readers a reason to come back. For now, I'll just admit that Eskay rockets to the top of my list of "favorite bloggers"!

April 27, 2008

rsspect.org Provides Black Blog Headlines

The Young Black Professional Guide created rsspect.org to increase the networking and exposure of blogs that feature content related to Black culture. The concept of rsspect.org is very simple. It is a neat little web application that acts as a headline feed reader for a variety of blogs surrounding the African American experience. The stated goal of the project is to gain visibility for these blogs and empower readers to enjoy our network of opinions.

We are proud to note that those Black-owned blogs shown on rsspect.org have also been included in Villager's Black Blog Rankings. BBR updates are issued on the 1st of each month.

April 24, 2008

Join Blog Campaign: Am I Not Human?


I am hopeful that all bloggers and blog readers will take a moment to remember humanity. Sometimes we get so tied up on our day-to-day existance that we forget to look up or think globally about humanity. We have a chance to think globally with upcoming major competitive events such as the Beijing Olympics. Many agree that China is a country guilty of numerous human rights violations and outright oppression.

You are invited to take a moment to remember humanity on Sunday, April 27. On that day we are asking bloggers and blog readers all over the world to ask a simple question for Darfurians, Tibetans and others that have been affected by China’s lack of concern for human rights ---> Am I not human?

The Olympics should be global representation of friendship and humanity. However, the Beijing Olympics are tainted by the oppressive reality of China's human rights stance in Darfur, Tibet and elsewhere. China shows a willingness to ignore the lofty principles of the Olympic movement.

Our blog campaign, Am I not human? involves bloggers from a myriad of cultures recognizing the symbolic importance the Olympics claim to represent and the direct violation towards humanity China is guilty of in its act as a supplier to oppressive forces in the Sudan, and it’s unspeakable acts towards Tibetan Monks.

The campaign’s strategy is to educate, motivate and activate. A small ebook will be available for download detailing the background of the struggle in Darfur and Tibet, highlighting real actions that can and should be taken. The ebook will present the opportunity to continue action offline within our communities by anyone claiming to be interested in making a positive change.

AfroSpear blogger Eddie Griffin states, “We will no longer idly stand by and watch such blatant hypocrisy as human beings are inhumanely preyed upon.

The Blog Campaign participants will post in unity on the 27th of each month until real measurable, progressive change can be seen in Darfur and Tibet. Our first postings will begin on Sunday, April 27.

You can learn more from our 'Am I Not Human' Virtual Campaign headquarters or you can email the Campaign Organizers for additional information. The Campaign Organizers are: Daz Wilson, Danielle Vyas, Wayne Hicks and Eddie Griffin.

The next step is yours! What say u?

April 21, 2008

1,100th Blog Joins Villager's Black Blog Rankings


Our tradition is to highlight every 100th blog added to the Villager's Black Blog Rankings (BBR). In the past we highlighted the 800th, 900th and 1,000th blogs added to the BBR.

Today, we are pleased to announce that Slausin-Ass Slaus' Want / Do Not Want is the 1,100th blog added to the BBR.

Want / Do Not Want (BBR #796) , created in February 2008, is another "piece of absolute shenanigans, foolishness and simple ridiculousness" from the creators of Oh Hell Nawl (BBR #147).

April 20, 2008

New AfroSpear Member: Afronerd

Please join me in welcoming Afro Nerd and his blog, Afronerd, to The AfroSpear. Afronerd (BBR #151) is a new and needed web sanctuary for people of color with intellectual and artistic pursuits. This blog addresses subjects such as current events, culture, science, religion, politics, entertainment and literature.

When asked how his blog could help The AfroSpear, Afro Nerd replied that his blog would "provide an alternative political viewpoint for other bloggers and their readership." Afro Nerd himself made a commitment "to contribute to the Black blogosphere with my time, intellect and conservative views ... and to always be open minded and truthful."

It is always great to find unique voices in the blogging diaspora. I hope that you will take a moment to visit Afronerd...

April 17, 2008

'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 last year. She is a powerhouse blogger. As such, it means alot when she shares 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:

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.

April 15, 2008

3rd Annual Black Web Awards


The 3rd Annual BlackWebAwards is now accepting nominations in over 100 categories. Nominations are 100% FREE (they won't even ask you for your email address!). We have over 1,000 Black Blogs out there according to the Villager's Black Blog Rankings. Now is the time to celebrate African, African American and Caribbean excellence online. I encourage all villagers to nominate your favorite websites ... heck, nominate as many websites as you wish!

Uhhh....and feel free to nominate the Electronic Village if the spirit moves ya!

April 9, 2008

Philadelphia Tribune: 'Blogger Nation'


The afrosphere (in general) and The AfroSpear (in particular) are featured in the April issue of The Philadelphia Tribune. The article is called 'Blogger Nation' and focuses on the Civil Rights Movement currently growing on the web.

A number of AfroSpear blogs and bloggers are highlighted in the article, including Jack and Jill Politics, What About Our Daughters and Dallas South. There is also a mention of the Villager's Black Blog Rankings. Cool, huh?

The bloggers making up The AfroSpear are getting into the mainstream media more and more often. One of our brethren was on CNN last night! I hope that many of us are able to meet one another in person at the Blogging While Brown conference later this year in Atlanta GA. Any chance that you can attend?