Columbia, MD

“There are literally hundreds of thousands of apps on the market today, so I was very surprised to find ‘no results’ when I searched the App Store for African American and Black health apps, especially when there are so many issues that impact us disproportionately,” says A. Maria Hester, M.D., principal of Savvier Health, LLC.

She goes on to say, “I have seen far too many people suffer needlessly and die prematurely. It’s simply heartbreaking. I couldn’t rest knowing how many patients and their families were devastated by treatable, sometimes preventable diseases, so while still in medical school, over 20 years ago, I got busy writing my first book, Bridging the Gaps: An African American Guide to Health and Self-Empowerment, and I have been trying to empower people ever since.”

Common medical conditions, and their toll on the black community, are the key focus of this app. Topics are presented in a concise, easy-to-understand format, and include a list of risk factors – many of which can be modified – an action plan to stay well, and helpful links so users can gain more in-depth knowledge.

Since complete health also requires spiritual and emotional well-being, Dr. Hester included sections to enlighten and motivate users to live less stressful, more spirit-filled lives.

On a lighter note, Express is a unique greeting card app chock-full of electronic cards featuring African American photos, art, and poetry by the late Gerdine Newsome. Cards run the gamut from simple birthday greetings to thought provoking poems. Users can even send friends and loved ones reminders to see the doctor or get a mammogram.

Both apps allow users to record and e-mail voice memos and text notes directly from the app.

For more details about the Total Health for African American Christians and Express apps, visit www.savvierhealth.net/apps.html
PRESS CONTACT:
Maria Hester, M.D.
Hester@Savvierhealth.net
443-414-8182

March 11, 2013-Black Bloggers Connect™, the leading social network for Black bloggers, has teamed up with Codeblack Films to launch The “Free Angela” Blogging Contest. Codeblack Films is a division of Lionsgate Entertainment, distributor for the highly anticipated film, “Free Angela And All Political Prisoners”. The film was written and directed by award-winning filmmaker Shola Lynch. Free Angela is produced by Shola Lynch, Carole Lambert, Carine Ruszniewski and Sidra Smith. The film’s executive producers are Jada Pinkett Smith with Overbrook Entertainment and Shawn “JAY Z” Carter’s Roc Nation. Presented by BET Networks, the film will open in select AMC theatres on April 5th 2013.

I’m also known for writing crazy, yet comical comments on my friend’s Facebook post. On one friend’s post, she called me a fool for a comment I made. And I responded, “I only speak the foolish truth”. I immediately like the way it sounded. It perfectly described my thoughts and words. And so here we are. I started my very own blog to capture my unique speaking voice.  I will discuss everything from politics to puppies. I’m a follower of pop culture and you should check out my blog if you’re a fan as well. You may find it foolish, but what else is new.

 TheFoolishTruth.com

About S.L. Writes

S. L. Writes is here to connect with people who are interested in untold stories and alternative narratives. I’ve started with the stories of my childhood trusting that others will somehow find them useful. Some recurring topics that I’m passionate about include self-acceptance, single parenting, internalized racism, and women’s stories. The ultimate goal, regardless of the content on S. L. Writes, is to inspire and encourage others to tell their own stories honestly and courageously.

About Sarah

Sarah L. Webb graduated from Mississippi State University in 2008 and earned a Master’s degree from California College of the Arts in 2010. After graduating from CCA, Sarah taught high school English in Baton Rouge, Louisiana for two years. Now she works as a freelance writer, teaches undergraduate writing courses at the University of Phoenix, and manages creative writing projects.

About Dueling Interests:

My site is called ‘Dueling Interests’, and my goal is to provoke discussion and debate about public policy and current events and in each article I try to add a little historical anecdote or comparison to give perspective. Support Shawn and visit:  duelinginterests.com

About Shawn:

Shawn Hamilton is a husband and father of two and currently resides in Jersey City, NJ. He is also a graduate of Hampton, University and a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. He has worked in film and television in various capacities for the last several years and blogs at duelinginterests.com. He can be reached via email at shamilton1911@gmail.com and via cell phone at 917-691-1634.

About ATQM:

All The Queen’z Men  (ATQM) is a fantastic new blog that has arrived on the fashion scene. While other sites just look at the fashion world in a simple way, All the Queen’z Men offers an ultra-cool take on style with lots of chic photos, smart copy and best of all – some beefcake! All the Queen’z Men is the reader’s red carpet, whisking them away to only the most gorgeous guys on the planet. A special feature called The Candy King of the Week shows a photo of a rugged and strapping young man for viewers to rate. Better bring a fan, the hot men candy of the week are sure to get every woman’s temperature rising.

Of course, that is not the only reason to tune into All the Queen’z Men. Eve Noir’s blog entries will give a fashion insider’s advice on the latest trends in style, dating, love and the secrets to goal digging. Every woman and man on the planet needs this information.

About Eve:

Eve Noir- also known as Sarneva Fullard- is currently a student at Full Sail University studying Digital Marketing and Mobile Development. Prior to hitting the books, Eve was the creative assistant at Cool Hunt- an editorial and photography agency based in West Hollywood. Eve has coordinated editorial productions for numerous women and fashion magazines, such as Vogue, Marie Claire, Elle, Harper’s Bazaar, Cosmopolitan, MR, Seventeen, and SELF. She has a vast network of contacts across international magazines and various other media outlets.

Eve has also appeared as on numerous radio shows across the los angeles region, including Diva Hour Radio, Smiley Show, Louie LA Live and been featured in Obvious, Regia,and WWD. Eve was also featured on Janice Dickinson Agency and Tyra Banks show.

Her work experience–as a blogger, creative assistant, publicist, and fashion model– have enabled her to gain a deep and diverse understanding of the mindset and skills needed to succeed in the world of media.

www.AllTheQueenzMen.com

About Black Girl Nerds:

Black Girl Nerds is a place for women to express themselves freely and
embrace who they are.  This is not a site exclusively for Black women.
It’s for ALL women who are just as nerdy as we are.  The site is
called Black Girl Nerds because the concept of Black women as
geeky-dorky beings is somewhat of an anomaly.  It’s against the order
of things in the “Black Girl” world.  This is a website for every
nerdy girl that can finally come out of the closet and tell the world
they they are PROUD to be who they are—no matter what anyone says,
does, or think.  This is a place where you can truly be yourself and
not be judged by others. If you are the one who may feel ashamed to
say they prefer to cozy up to a book on a Friday night or listen music
that stimulates your spirit rather than your hips, then perhaps this
is the place for you.  If its not that’s okay too…we still love you
anyway

About Jamie:

Jamie Broadnax has been blogging since 2007.    During that year she
collaborated with her co-worker and future writing partner at a lousy
student loan company.  While receiving email inquiries from college
students, she was blogging about the New York independent film scene.
The blog NYIndieSeen was birthed and open the doors of opportunity to
a myriad of film festivals in the city such as the Big Apple Film
Festival, Hamptons Film Festival, and the Tribeca Film Festival.
Unfortunately the economic collapse of 2008, led her to the
unemployment line and she could no longer live in her expensive zip
code of 10012.

Jamie moved back home to the place of her childhood Virginia Beach, VA
and started a second blog called VAIndieSeen about the Virginia
independent film scene.  The blog was short lived and never gained the
momentum that her New York blog had.  In 2010 Jamie relocated to
Wilmington, NC due to a job transfer and birthed NCIndieSeen (you can
see where this is going right?)

The Wilmington-based North Carolina blog is one of the few blogs about
independent film in one of the largest-growing film communities in the
U.S.  The blog is well received by a number of local film artists and
she’s been invited to festivals such as the North Carolina Black Film
Festival, Cucalorus, and Cape Fear Independent Film Festivals.

In February 2012 Jamie decided to launch the blog Black Girl Nerds.
After an evening of boredom Jamie “Googled” the term Black Girl Nerds
and nothing came up in the world’s largest search engine.  It was that
night that the blog was born.  There was a Facebook for BGN that was
launched a year before the blog was published and a large number of
Facebook fans have supported the blogsite.

In her spare time Jamie likes to write, read books, and play The Sims
on her iPad.  She loves watching shows like “True Blood” and “Grey’s
Anatomy”. Socially inept at times, Jamie prefers to stay at home and
watch a great movie rather than hanging out at nightclubs—hence the
reason why she’s still single.  She welcomes all BGN’s to contribute
to this site and loves to fellowship with other nerdy black girls.

Visit BlackGirlNerds.com

About Shavon Brown-Robinson

Former dancer and model Shavon Brown-Robinson, has a knack for wearing many hats. This freelance internet and media analyst has a proven track record of corporate excellence that has taken her from Executive Assistant to CEO of her own virtual assistant business and finally to COO and VP of Creative Development at Mahogany Ink, a consulting firm that provides writing services to independent filmmakers and production companies. In addition to a major motion picture and a reality show currently in development, this working wife and mother of four also chronicles her unique view on life, love and family in her blog “I Just Want to Be Superwoman”

http://theovulator.blogspot.com/

shavon@mahoganyink.com

About Kanesha:

Kanesha Baynard is a certified life coach, speaker, blogger, and educator. As a recovering overachiever, Kanesha knows and understands the internal tensions that come up when a person’s core values are not aligned with the daily life they are living. Kanesha has applied inquiry techniques – that identify limiting beliefs – to her personal and professional life. Through this process, she has been able to create space to nurture her mind, body, spirit, and creativity to live an authentic and bold life. She shares these tools with her blog readers and clients so they can free themselves from any thought dungeons.

Kanesha’s Blogs:

www.itsafullnest.com

This blog is about my adventures in multigenerational-ville. I talk about what it is like having my mother-in-law live with my family and me. I take a look at the pros and cons of this living situation and how we make it work. I also address the challenges and successes this living arrangement has on supporting the careers of my husband and me.

http://www.boldlivingtoday.com/blog/

This blog talks about empowerment, career launch/re-launch, and multigenerational/in-law dynamics. The posts are designed to outline a problem and then provide steps and tools to move to the next positive step.

Kanesha’s Blogging Tips:

In order to keep your blog fresh and relevant, it is important to read a variety of things. This can be books, magazines, newspapers, or other blogs. You don’t want to repeat the exact same message as another writer, but you do want to know what interests people or keeps them up late at night.

While writing your blog, you should make sure you are using your authentic voice so readers will come to know you. No one likes a poser, and if the voice in your writing sounds off or inauthentic, people will lose interest very quickly.

You should also ask for your readers’ options or viewpoints. People like to feel part of a community. Having a blog post that draws them in, allows them to tell their story, or lend their expertise is very powerful.