(You can listen to this post in Spanish here: http://bit.ly/c1SgRy)
A few days ago, I had the honor and privilege of being one of the keynote speakers at Blogalicious week-end. Blogalicious is the largest blogging conference celebrating diversity in social media. From October 8- 10, hundreds of online influencers from diverse communities came together in Miami to share break through ideas in Web 2.0. Several of the women there included the leading voices in the Latina blogging community. The conference caught the eye of not just influencers in the online space though. Decision makers from CNN and Telemundo decided to engage. Soledad O'Brien joined us for Sunday's morning keynote with Marc Morial, President and CEO of the National Urban League, and Telemundo sent representatives who participated throughout the conference and who did me the great honor of asking me to be their first regular featured blogger.
Since my work is in digital influence, rather than use the hour and fifteen minutes of my keynote, Latinas and Web 2.0 - The Sweet Spot, to lecture to the audience, I decided to practice what I preach and share my keynote with several key influencers in the Latina Web 2.0 community. Together we represented every corner of the United States - from Texas to Illinois and from California to New York. It was a phenomenal session. It was real, practical and insightful. This panel in particular and the conference as a whole reminded me of how far we have come and also of how nascent the development of this space still is.
I am thankful to the four amazing influencers who participated with me Veronica Arreola, DeAnne Cuellar, Aurelia Flores and Maura Wall Hernandez for their trust and for agreeing to share their stories and insights with me and the rest of the audience and I am thankful to the Blogalicious founders, organizers and sponsors for engaging in the conversation.
Here are a few of the tweets from the session:
Mami2Mommy I share similar story w/ @veronicaeye and growing up as a "hidden Latina" #blogalicious #Latina @beinglatino October 8, 2010 11:56:54 AM EDT via ÜberTwitter
SwarthyDaisy #blogalicious Great presentation Latina Bloggers. Women are so passionate! "the Internet has no bounds!" October 8, 2010 11:52:42 AM EDT via Echofon
SwarthyDaisy I'm snackin', tweetin' and listenin' to my new Latina blog bud @deannecuellar Cute glasses, great info!!! #blogalicious October 8, 2010 11:18:10 AM EDT via Echofon
Mami2Mommy If you are at #blogalicious n reading this STOP! Focus on these wondrful #Latina influencers instead! :) #blogalicious October 8, 2010 11:09:11 AM EDT via ÜberTwitter
Mami2Mommy RT @veronicaeye: 9/10 Latinas define themselves as equally Latina & American #blogalicious
JulieDiazAsper @ohMariana we r missing ya! R #latinablogger are great mix of smart and human! Proud to be a Latina! #blogalicious10 #latism October 8, 2010 11:31:55 AM EDT via Twitter for iPhone in reply to ohMariana
AnalyticalDiva RT @laflowers: RT @TonyaSE: Strong Latina images and stories represented at #Blogalicious10! October 8, 2010 11:15:35 AM EDT via ÜberTwitter
jeannettekaplun RT @JoscelynRC: TY 2 @beblogalicious #blogalicious10 4 highlighting Latina blogger community; these women are digitial/online influencers. October 8, 2010 11:04:16 AM EDT via TweetDeck
ccossio RT @TarynP: Latina bloggers at #blogalicious10 just stood up in recognition & they are all sitting together! -> Get up, Stand up! October 8, 2010 11:02:43 AM EDT via TweetDeck
thoughtsofamomy RT @modernmami: We love it too! :) RT @ClumpsOfMascara: Lovin' the Latina pride at #blogalicious10 #latinabloggers October 8, 2010 10:58:39 AM EDT via HootSuite
zelmarl Presente! RT @modernmami: Aqui! RT @beblogalicious: How many smart, savvy Latinas r in social media? Raise ur hand! #blogalicious10 October 8, 2010 11:55:30 AM EDT via TweetDeck
urbanmama the Latinas in Social Media panel was fabulous; I'm so glad I made it down despite my 5,000 deadlines. #blogalicious10 October 8, 2010 11:52:54 AM EDT via TweetDeck
TikiTikiBlog RT @makeovermomma Listening to these proud, beautiful Latinas at #blogalicious10 Want accent. I am about as exotic as Wonder Bread ; ) LOL! October 8, 2010 11:51:33 AM EDT via HootSuite
xeiland Another fantastic takeaway from Latinas in Social Meda. Build it and they will come. #blogalicious10 October 8, 2010 11:46:26 AM EDT via web
JoscelynRC RT @Mami2Mommy I realize we R speaking mainly of #Latinas but message same 4 incredible #WOC One Community. Many Voices! ;) #blogalicious10 October 8, 2010 11:41:52 AM EDT via web in reply to Mami2Mommy
siskanna RT @drgoddess: Latinas in the Blogosphere. What a great panel, Ladies! #blogalicious10 http://plixi.com/p/49387913 October 8, 2010 11:40:20 AM EDT via TweetDeck
thoughtsofamomy RT @modernmami: Wepa!!! RT @chatterboxcgc: Me encanta la fuerte presencia de mis hermanas latinas aquí! #Blogalicious10 #latinabloggers October 8, 2010 11:39:10 AM EDT via HootSuite
beblogalicious "Find your niche and own it". What advice are you taking away from the Latinas In Social Media panel? #blogalicious10 October 8, 2010 11:24:54 AM EDT via Twitter for iPhone
BitMoms Live blogging Latinas in Social Media at #blogalicious10! Unleashing Power of Women of Color session notes on @BitMoms http://bit.ly/d2Vu55 October 8, 2010 11:17:32 AM EDT via TweetDeck
laflowers RT @beblogalicious: Want to know why Latinas are a force to be reckoned with? Just listen achievements of women in this room #blogalicious10 October 8, 2010 11:08:21 AM EDT via HootSuite
AnalyticalDiva So proud to be at the Latinas in Social Media session at #blogalicious10! #latism October 8, 2010 10:57:08 AM EDT via Twitter for BlackBerry®
beblogalicious Time for the Latinas In Social Media session. How many of our smart, savvy Latinas are in social media? Raise your hand! #blogalicious10 October 8, 2010 10:49:37 AM EDT via Twitter for iPhone
jeannettekaplun Ready to listen to @KetyE @MauraHernandez and amazing Latinas at #blogalicious10. So many great women! October 8, 2010 10:51:28 AM EDT via Twitter for BlackBerry®
laflowers Latinas in Social Media panel moderated by @ketyE started!! #blogalicious10 #latinabloggers http://ow.ly/i/4pls October 8, 2010 10:57:00 AM EDT via HootSuite
You can read the description of the panel and watch the session below.
Recent studies have debunked the myth that the Latino community is not online. According to PEW, from 2006- 2008, internet use among Latino adults rose by 10 percentage points, from 54% to 64% - faster than whites (4%) or blacks (2%). According to a recent study by Cheskin and AOL, the number of Hispanics online has grown faster than the growth of the total US population. Moreover, Latinos have more confidence in online product rating sites than their friends' opinions (78%: 28%) and they are earlier adopters of technology-- more so than general market users. According to the Pew Hispanic Center, the Hispanic vote grew 8% in 2008 and many expect it to continue to grow. The Hispanic community is diverse. It includes people who don't have access to technology and those that are leading the latest innovations in technology. Latinos are not just consumers. Latinos are producers of content (which is still king), the technology and the ideas that are taking us to what is next in this evolving space. Recognizing that multicultural women bloggers are incredibly influential on social issues, in politics, in business and at home, brands, government agencies and campaigns are making a concerted effort to engage these important influencers. Meet Latina influencers in the nonprofit, political and private sectors. Hear their stories. Come learn from their wins. Hear their take on the pitfalls, the opportunities, some tips you can immediately apply and what you can do to engage.