by Amani Channel
#smdayATL #smday

Shame on me for not knowing about this waaaay in advance, but today is Social Media Day, at least according to Mashable.

People across the country are planning meetups and discussions that center around social media, which has become a force of nature of late.

I found out when one of the local Atlanta organizers asked me to help with the live stream.

Better late than never especially considering that I try to stay active in Atlanta’s SM community.

I hope to see you tonight. Thanks to Joe Hamm for coordinating this, all of the sponsors, and the friends I’ll see tonight.

Hopefully the stream will go without a hitch. If so, you can watch it right here. If not, I’ll probably be posting the video shortly after.

by Amani Channel

Here is one of the latest mobile videos I produced using my iPhone3Gs and Kyte.tv.

Apple just showed me love on a battery situation I was having. I can’t say enough about how happy I am with the customer service, and Apple’s computer product.

If you’re wondering, my battery basically died so I scheduled an appointment at the Apple store. It turns out that it was bulging which isn’t a good thing.

Some Mac batteries have been known to explode, so it’s a good thing that I caught it when I did. In addition, the bulging battery was pressing against the finger pad and had disabled the button.

Thanks to Apple Care, It’s all taken care of.

by Amani Channel

I’m tooting my horn a bit here, but I learned that I received a 40 Under 40 Award from the New Leaders Council.

Each year the New Leaders Council recognizes 40 emerging leaders from across the county, and I was nominated, and selected.

The 40 Under 40 Awards were created by New Leaders Council to help recognize the hard work of a diverse group of young leaders including elected officials, inspiring community organizers, as well as non-profit and policy leaders who exemplify the spirit of progressive political entrepreneurship.

I am humbled and thankful to be included among the list of people who are doing great work.

So how are we going to celebrate? The New Leaders Council Atlanta Chapter is having its 40 Under 40 event on Wednesday, July 14. Tickets are only $10 at the moment, but will be going up to $20 soon.

REGISTER HERE

I hope you can make it!

by Amani Channel

I had to take a moment to think about Pac on his birthday.

He changed the rap game through his revolutionary, militant, gangsta, thug, and righteous music.

I remember listening to “Soldier Story” over and over back in the day from the “2Pacalypse Now” CD.

I can hear it now:

Crack done took a part of my family tree
My mom is on the s*&^
my daddy’s splittin, mom is steady blamin me
Is it my fault, just cause I’m a young black male?
Cops sweat me as if my destiny is makin crack sales…

He will live forever through his music.

Shortly after I moved to Atlanta, I caught up with Oakland rapper Shorty B who took a moment to reflect on Pac’s legacy.

by Amani Channel
@10000Words

Forgive me for not updating MUR. I’ve had two client projects to complete, work, Devin… yadda, yadda, yadda. There never seems to be enough hours in the day.

That being said, I’m going to divert your attention to a blog that all journalists, wanna be reporters, citizen journos, etc. should tune into.

If you haven’t checked out Mark Luckie’s 10,000Words, you’re missing out.

This guy has a pulse on new media innovation, and he even wrote a book about being a new school journo. Affiliate link – The Digital Journalist’s Handbook

I haven’t read the book, but would love to review it (wink).

Here are a few recent posts that caught my attention:

8 Totally awesome time-lapse videos: A video guy like myself appreciates the creativity and coolness of these vids.

Prison Valley: “Prison Valley is an interactive documentary that takes full advantage of the web to tell the story of Cañon City, Colorado, a prison town whose residents and livelihood stem from the incarceration of local inmates. The project is unique in its incorporation of video, social media, blogging, and even a mobile application to tell a single story.”

3 Underrated but essential skills for journalists: I’ve shared my thoughts on the skills that any surviving journalist must have. Mark adds his thoughts and you may be surprised.

If you’re questioning Luckie’s credentials, he’s the truth.

Buy Mark’s Book (Affiliate Link):

by Amani Channel

I was going through my archive and ran across this video that I produced during one of my storm chaser news trips a couple of years ago.

My cameraman Mario Page, decided to make a stop in small town in Louisiana where his family is from.

We ended up on the wrong side of the tracks.