I can't believe it's been almost a year since I last blogged! Then a year before that! I'm pretty active on other social media platforms like Facebook and most recently, Instagram which has been my main mode of posting but gosh, does my blog need some updates and attention!  Actually, my whole mindset needs an overhaul right along with my tech devices.  I took my computer to the Mac store yesterday to see why my computer is sooo slow and come to find out, I was at least seven software updates behind! Now I refuse to buy the new iPhone 10x or HomePod but at least I can stay updated on the latest programs that my computer and devices need to run more efficiently which if you're wondering it's Mac OS High Sierra 10.13.3.  Otherwise, they become slow and outdated. 

This got me to thinking about my mindset and actions. I spent the last year reading and investing in personal and business development and now it's time to upgrade and do the work! It's time to commit to a schedule of activities that will yield beneficial results such as exercise, blogging, video editing and content creation, learning new media technologies for my business and finishing personal projects that need just as much attention ie. that family trip to Guinea West Africa documentary, but that's another story.    

I have a short but sufficient list of personal and business coaches whom I follow and their content is spot on when they say, "consistency is key." Strategic consistency is something I've struggled with for a long time. So I'm going to apply one of the practices I've heard and seen from my favorite strategists whom often give this one particular advice and that is to: Create a habit.

I regret that I haven't connected in so long thus the habit I'll choose to focus on is: Blogging. That's right! I love to write and share my experiences so I will challenge myself to 21 days of posting blog-worthy content right here so that I can connect with my readers and they too can share with me.  So if the spirit moves you and you're ready, let's create a good habit together.  It's a new year! Nevermind, that new year resolution we promised ourselves at the beginning of the year (every year) because that is not what this is about. Anyday is a good day for progress, updates and improvements. What are you working on? Just curious. Thanks for reading. Day 1. 

If you're on the internet and a working professional or entrepreneur then 10 times out of 9 you're either posting something about yourself, your business or reading someone else's post or advertisements for consumer goods, products and/ or services.  Now a day, everyone is involved in the production/ marketing wheel in some way shape or form to convey ideas or information but how does one learn to communicate in a way that yields the highest return or at least a click on the Facebook "LIKE" button?  As a entrepreneurial video producer and content provider, I engage in a few ways to improve my messaging, posts and videos and I'd like to share them with you. ​

Few things inspires me more than the power of dance so when it was time to produce a video focusing on classical Indian dance I felt it was a special experience.  The assignment was to capture the story of two dear friends, Shivani and Avani who have spent the last 10 years studying the art of classical Indian dance to one day perform in front of their family and friends for their debut, on-stage performance known as the “Arangetram.”  After over a decade of learning, the dancer has officially achieved a higher level of her knowledge of classical Indian dance and everything related to it.  Thus she is ready to present her knowledge and capabilities to the world. ​

"The dances that they are doing teaches them about their culture, stories and where they come from," says Dance Instructor, Smt. Revathi Satyu who is the founder of the Arathi School of Dance in North Dallas.  For the final year leading to the Arangetram performance, Shivani and Avani must practice intensely everyday to perfect the movements until it became muscle memory.  The girls must learn to dance to live musicians and in turn, the musicians must follow the rhythm of the girls' movement of her feet, her hands etc. "If the dancers are professional, they can adjust to our singing also," says Vocal Artist, Vidushi P. Ramaa who traveled all the way from India to sing for the debutants. The dancers learn to use their whole body to convey emotions that tell a story that informs as well as entertains the audience.  The stories usually have a range of topics that are perhaps related to traditional Indian deities or "Demi-gods," of the Hindu faith.

In regards to the performance, there are 12 well choreographed routines in an Arangetram and could last for up to three hours long.  It is the utmost test of endurance, strength and beauty.   Watch the video to see how talented dancers, Shivani and Avani prepared for this illustrious event in their life.  The last 10-minutes shows the actual Arangetram performance called, "Thallani" an upbeat, rhythmic pieces that's traditionally played at the conclusion of an Arangetram.  Summer time is usually the time when Arangetrams are performed and my summer was made complete by the honor of producing the film for this one.  Enjoy. Namaste.  ​

Filmed and edited by LaDoMedia International
Still photography by Murthy.smugmug.com
For booking info to film your next performance, please leave a message.  
​Feel free to SHARE and/or comment below. Namaste!

Of the many local, national and international programs and initiatives they support, the Trinity (TX) Chapter Links’ main focus is on a program called “So SMAART”.  This is an acronym for “Set on Science and Engineering, Mathematics, the Arts, Aviation, Reading and Technology”.  The program is an early intervention program established by the chapter to mentor girls, in fourth through eighth grades, and address the lack of minority female students pursuing careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) areas. 

“Wow! I wish that program was available to me when I was growing up,” I thought to myself as they explained their organizational mission.  But I was not there to dream of what could have been.  I was there to listen to them describe their vision for the film that would be presented at their annual “Diamonds and Sneakers Gala”.  They wanted me to highlight the behind the scenes work that the Trinity chapter puts into implementing their initiatives, promote their cause, raise awareness and fundraise.  They wanted the audience to be inspired and motivated to help and realize it takes more than good looks to make it work! (Just kidding here, but they are a gorgeous group of women.) 

from Dallas/Duncanville, Texas sent to live with foreign host families thousands of miles away across the Atlantic Ocean in Tarbes; Bagneres de Bigorre; and Toulouse, France.  (Shout out to the Saut family!)  It was one of the best experiences ever! I lived with two other French families and traveled throughout Europe to Germany; Austria; Slovenia; Croatia; Czech Republic; Italy; Spain... needless to say, I got around and now as a wife and mom myself, those adventures still influence and inspire me today.  So how does a former exchange student, globe-trotting, polyglot parent?? We don't tell our kids about the world.  
WE SHOW THEM!! 

TangoTab was created out of a necessity to address hunger issues here in America.  TangoTab’s CEO, Andre Angel remembers visiting a local food bank where people from all walks of life and socio-economic backgrounds would line up just to get a meal and at that point he knew something had to be done. "I wanted to combine my knowledge of technology and use the power of business to solve social issues,” said Andre.  "There’s hunger and there are stories that people should know about.  With TangoTab, you can help people just by dining out." 

Words can’t quite express the love I feel for my brother, Venton Carlos Jones Jr., who is a fierce warrior in the fight for equality and progress within the Black LGBT community.  I can’t remember exactly when he came out and announced that he was gay to me because it was such a non-issue that never really mattered. My love for him didn’t change nor my perception of his character.  He has always been a hard-worker and a leader ever since he was a child and being young, Black and gay has not changed his principles. Speaking of principles, all three of my siblings and I were raised with a sense of integrity, compassion, charity, spirituality, humility so as long as those principles remained in tact and his partner reflected some of the same and makes him happy then it doesn’t matter.

I was looking forward to my trip to DC for a video shoot however the shoot ended up being cancelled so my brother graciously took me in.  I was now in his world of being a young Black gay professional in our nation's capital.  I stood in his office lined with filing cabinets and a huge window looking out on to Thomas Circle with a sign in the corner that says, “No one notices what I do until I don’t do it.”  His Bachelors in Heath and Masters in Health Care Administration degrees hang on the wall across from the framed picture of my brother shaking hands with President Barack Obama. 

Within about a minute of walking in I got the sense that whatever he does is super important and it was at that moment that I just reached out to hug him and I didn’t let go.  He immediately noticed my sensitivity and I couldn’t hold back the matronly/ big sis, pride-filled tears as I held him for a few seconds longer. Big sniff and... “Uh un, LaDonna. DON’T start. I don’t have time! It’s Friday!” He said in his most sobering tone that was filled with purpose and focus for whatever task was on his plate at that moment. 

I pulled myself together and looked around to see how he's made good on those principles that we grew up with now in his work.  I had an idea but I never really “knew” exactly what he did professionally. “It’s disheartening that you don’t know what I do,” he confessed. “Well, teach me dear,” I replied though I thought, “it doesn’t matter- as long as you are taking care of yourself and clearly by the looks of it, I see the impact you are making in the lives of others.”  Venton, whom family members affectionately call, "PC," took me on a tour of his office.  Now I can say and effectively remember that my brother’s official professional title is the Event and Operations Manager and LGBT Program Manager at the National Black Justice Coalition in Washington, D.C. How did I not remember that before?

My brother invited me on a short drive up to Baltimore, Maryland where he facilitated a panel at the Young Black Gay Men Initiative 3rd Annual Policy and Advocacy Summit.  Panel members included Ernest Hopkins of the National Black Gay Men’s Advocacy Coalition, Kali Lindsey of amfAR and Kenyon Farrow of Treatment Action Group.  Over the weekend, about 100 young Black gay men gathered from across the United States to discuss the HIV crisis and how to drive peer-based action in order to end the devastating epidemic.  I was made aware at the summit that my brother founded the Young Black Gay Men’s Leadership Initiative in conjunction with the summit a few years ago. This space brings together young Black gay men from across the country and serves as an opportunity for them to bond in awareness, initiate collaboration and stand in solidarity in order to heal as a Black LGBT community. Blake Rowley, 2014-2015 YBGLI Chair, worked extremely hard to organize the summit.

Capital Medical Associates, Dr. Theo Hodges, a Black gay physician spoke candidly at the Summit about the epidemiology of HIV and AIDS in the United States and how it’s affecting young Black gay men. I learned that HIV is more likely to be transmitted by individuals unaware of their infection and young, gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (MSM) are more likely to be unaware of their HIV infection. He repeatedly spoke on the importance of knowing one’s status and assured that an HIV/AIDS diagnosis is NOT the end of the world! 

"There are more cases of HIV and AIDS reported today because people are not dying of the epidemic!" Said Dr. Hodges. "Medications are keeping HIV/AIDS patients alive for longer with fewer side effects."  Back in the 80s and up until recently, so many people were dying of the HIV/AIDS virus because they either didn’t know that they were infected or they did not become aware of their status until it was too late.  A cocktail of pills that one had to take are now replaced by one pill taken daily to prevent the growth of infection in one’s body. “It’s like birth control for the virus,” said Dr. Hodges. “You don’t want new HIV virus-babies growing inside your body so take your pill!"

Now a day, there is so much information available that assist people to develop and strategize their linkage to HIV care. HIVANSWERS.COM/APP is an app that answers questions, create a wellness plan, contact doctors and keep track of appointments. One of the resources that covered the tops of each table at the summit was the Center for Infectious Diseases: The Spectrum of Engagement in HIV Care and its Relevance to Test-and-Treat Strategies for Prevention of HIV Infection booklet. Did you know there is a daily pill you can take to stay negative call PrEP? Do the research- we have tools to fight this terrible disease and there are endless amounts of data and statistics available.

The summit was not like being at a science-bio-lab convention but it provided valuable information about one’s health and wellness. “I just need someone to be there for 'me' and that’s what you get from this session…it’s about that healing place that we all need,” said my bother that served as one of this year’s summit faculty. 

My brother was diagnosed with the HIV virus at the age of 23.  During that time, I was beginning my family as a new mother and wife so I was dealing with my own life. I found out that he waited a whopping four years before he told me of his HIV status!  He could've gone on a sex-crazed rampage infecting everyone in sight. He could've submersed himself within a world of depression or just jumped off the face of the Earth.  Instead, the diagnosis lit a positive fire under him that could not be contained.  He used his HIV status as a spring board to empower others. Since his diagnosis, my bother has been featured in many magazines, articles, tv broadcasts and conferences to promote health and wellness within the Black community.  He has fought fearlessly and strong to combat stigmas, raise awareness and he inspires many young Black gay males across the United States to stand in their truth and to be an example for others to follow.  

When the facilitators asked for any closing remarks, I felt compelled to impart my thoughts as an ally. I looked into the eyes of these beautiful young men and shared this; "I represent family members who may or may not know your status or sexual preference.  Just know that in the grand scheme of things, it doesn’t matter.  Be encouraged in your walk and try your best to represent excellence in all that you do.  Your deeds will shine through and that’s all that really matters.”  I was met with tons of hugs of those that said I reminded them of their sister and to that I say, "it’s an honor and a privilege."  I’m touched by my experience in DC because it allowed me to see the struggle of young Black gay men in our society. They are our brothers, fathers, sons, uncles, cousins, friends and we must remind them that their lives matter.   

Here are some tips I’d like to share with straight or heterosexuals who have friends and family members whom are lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender. 

- Focus on the individual’s deeds. Are they genuine? Do they keep their word? Are they leaders? Do they make good grades or produce quality work? Are they helping others? The more people working to make the world a better place- the better! 

- Don’t get caught up with being concerned with whom someone choses to sleep with- even if they were straight- it's none of your business.

- Got a friend or family member who has been diagnosed with HIV/AIDS?  It’s not the end.  Do some research and you’ll soon come to understand that the HIV/AIDS diagnosis is NOT a death sentence. People are living longer and healthy lives if they take their medicine consistently.  Just one pill a day keeps the virus at bay and even undetected. Whether you're HIV positive or negative, get an HIV test with your regularly scheduled check up or exam because it's important to know your health status.

- Whether they are gay, lesbian, straight or purple, love your family members and friends. Check in and hold one another accountable to a happy and fulfilling life that everyone deserves. 

- Focus on the good in life. I was so happy to congratulate my bother on moving into his new, stylish apartment with his beautiful partner, Todd Hill.  They must work really hard to earn that rent! What an accomplishment! I’m so lucky that my brother is surrounded by a network of friends in DC who have his best interest in mind. 

Celebrate the good always because LIFE MATTERS!

National Black Justice Coalition - www.nbjc.org
Young Black Gay Men’s Leadership Initiative - www.ybgli.org
National Black Gay Men’s Advocacy Coalition - www.nbgmac.org 

Have any questions or concerns for loved ones or need help starting a conversation? Leave your comments and suggestions here below.