I have some great news! Two months ago, I received an exciting email from the Women’s Media Center saying that renowned group of feminists, including Gloria Steinem, Jane Fonda, and Carol Jenkins, had selected me as a nominee for the Women’s Media Center Social Media Award. The nominees represent a diverse group of journalists and bloggers that use the Internet and social networking to make sure that the voices of women and girls are visible and powerful in the media. The winner will accept the award at the Women’s Media Center Women’s Media Award show alongside special honorees: Soledad O’Brien, Lara Logan, Yanique Richards, and Maggie Wilderotter. I am humbled to say the least.

Here’s what I need you to do:

Go to this website: http://action.womensmediacenter.com/page/s/social-media-award-2011 

(If you want to see my picture/bio, scroll your mouse to the right over the pictures until you see “Arielle Loren”)

And vote by scrolling down, filling out the form, and selecting Arielle Loren from the list of nominees. It takes less than 180 seconds to do the whole thing and I’d definitely appreciate it!

In addition, if you really want to help (after you vote), please post on Facebook or Twitter “My friend Arielle Loren is up for the 2011 Women’s Media Center Social Media Award. Vote for her! (it takes less than 2 minutes) http://action.womensmediacenter.com/page/s/social-media-award-2011” 

And one more (very important) thing:

I’ve launched a fundraising campaign to cover the remaining costs of my travels, film, and new magazine. As many of you know, I have self-financed all of my projects in the past and the majority of my travels. But now, more than ever, I really, REALLY need your support, even if it’s only $15. If you’ve ever enjoyed one of my articles or been inspired by what I do, I’d appreciate a donation. I can’t do this alone anymore.

Click here to go to my fundraising page: http://www.gofundme.com/arielleloren

I mean it when I say that no donation is too small and have some great rewards to offer for your support!

I know this award and even the reasons behind this campaign would not have been possible without your support. And for that, I am thankful and look forward to taking my work to the next level to empower more people interested in women’s issues, sexuality, health, and traveling the world.

Onward and upward!

Sending you hugs from Brasil,

Arielle

It is absolutely rare to find someone that authentically fits the title “timeless innovator.” I’ve been inspired by Steve Jobs for many reasons, but he first caught my attention, not as the CEO of Apple, but for his 2005 commencement address to Standford University students.

He shared,

Remembering that I’ll be dead soon is the most important tool I’ve ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life. Because almost everything — all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure – these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important. Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart.

For every day that I wake up in Brasil, for every moment I can call myself a full-time writer/filmmaker/entrepreneur, for every person that I meet along this journey, and for every challenge that I hurdle, I will remember this quote. Death is the most powerful inspiration catalyst. It quells fear, and has inspired me to dedicate myself fully to the very things and people that I’d want to spend my last seconds with.

In the words of Jobs,

No one wants to die. Even people who want to go to heaven don’t want to die to get there. And yet death is the destination we all share. No one has ever escaped it. And that is as it should be, because Death is very likely the single best invention of Life. It is Life’s change agent. It clears out the old to make way for the new. Right now the new is you, but someday not too long from now, you will gradually become the old and be cleared away. Sorry to be so dramatic, but it is quite true.

Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma — which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.

To an innovation legend, the man responsible for my beloved Apple MacBook Pro and iPod, and mentor from afar, soar in peace. You will truly be missed and thank you for all of your contributions.

~Arielle Loren

Is it just me or is it hard to find quality content, products, and projects on the web? Often, I find myself scouring blog after blog, website after website, and video page after video page for creative stimulation. At times, I wish that there were one (not so big) list of the crème of creative awesomeness! (From what some of you say, that may be my facebook wall, ha!)

As I’m a huge supporter of women building grassroots brands and creative projects, I wanted to share the work of a few ladies doing the damn thing as writers, artists, and adventurers. These women define ass kicking in every way between creating TV shows and pop culture exhibits, biking across country, establishing yoga studios, and crafting sustainable jewelry.

At the very least, I hope that I introduce you to on-the-rise female talent. I’m sure you’ll find something in common with their determination. And hopefully, you’ll become long-term supporters.

The Travelers

Evita Robinson – After raising 6,620 dollars on Kickstarter for a travel series, I dubbed Evie the “ultimate hustler.” Her show, Nomadness, is a fun experience for the young adventurer that wants to see the world. After living in France and Japan, traveling all over Asia, and securing gigs with major tv & film companies, Evie is currently shooting an official pilot show for Nomadness in Berlin. Yes, you’re likely going to see her on real TV, just remember you heard it here first! A multitalented entrepreneur, she also just launched a luggage line, DRT BG (pronounced dirt bag) for young travelers. Check out Nomadness at nomadnesstv.com and support the expansion of the Nomadness show through purchasing a DRT BG here.

Dash Harris – While empowering women on her site, Venus Genus, Dash vacations all over Europe and Latin America. Recently, she quit her full time job to work full time on a documentary that explores the African Diaspora in Latin America. Set to begin filming in August, she’s raising money on Kickstarter to help fund production costs. Ready to see more stories of Afro-Latinos in the media? Support this girl at Kickstarter.com!

Ariana Proehl – Using a domestic tour as a vehicle, Ariana is driving home the message that personal change equals social change across the country. The young powerhouse recently was admitted to the Women’s Media Center Progressive Voices program to complement her extensive background of empowering young women, domestic violence survivors, and youth populations. Her show, Know This!, provides compelling interviews with young change agents in music, film, fashion, and pop culture. Want to support a grassroots media movement rooted in social change? Check out Ariana’s show and if you dig it, show love to her Kickstarter campaign, too!

The Biking Builder

Johanna Lovecchio – Who bikes across the country in the middle of summer? Oh, Johanna Lovecchio, that’s who! The recent NYU grad decided to spend her summer working for Bike and Build, a non-profit organization that organizes cross- country cycling trips to benefit the affordable housing cause in the United States. In case you were wondering, she’ll head westward across the Berkshire and Appalachian Mountains, along the Hudson River, across the hills of Ohio and the vast plains of Indiana and Illinois, across the Mississippi River at St. Louis, on to the great southwest through Oklahoma and Texas, through the desert to ‘stand on the corner of Winslow, Arizona’, across the continental divide, to the Grand Canyon, and finally on to the lush coast of California and cool reward of the Pacific Ocean. If that’s not kicking ass, I don’t know what is. She takes the word adventure to the next level. Follow Johanna’s journey through Tumblr and let her inspire you to do a cross country bike trek!

The Pop Culture Aficionadas

Patrice Peck – Affectionately dubbed my soul twin, Patti is a pop culture junkie with an intellectual spin. As she lives for the arts, culture, and visual creativity, she founded the online gallery, Xhibit P, to restore pop to a smart perspective. With monthly “xhibits,” she’s tackled everything from the Grammys to teen pregnancy, garnering praise from various blogs and news outlets. Prior to Xhibit P, Patti served as Editor-in-Chief of the Black Girls Rock blog, Lifestyle Editor of Zora & Alice and Assistant Editor of Society HAE. Check out her most recent “xhibit” that takes a look at NBA culture and sports media. Sound dope? Visit xhibitp.com for the full shabang!

Bene Viera – As the young go-to girl for provocative musings on pop culture, Bene has found just the right balance between controversy and critical analysis. I call her my Clutch sister as we both write for the smartest online destination for young contemporary women of color. Lord knows we’ve both had our share of Clutch readers’ mayhem! Recently, Bene had an article published in Essence Magazine on the real Aibileen that inspired Kathryn Stockett’s The Help. In case you missed the significance, it’s most online journalists dream to get published in print, not to mention a well-respected magazine like Essence. Pick up Essence’s August and September issue to read more of Bene’s work. This rising journalist’s pen game is formidable.

Starrene Rhett – It’s rare to find a young twenty-something (female) writer that’s already graced the mastheads of major hip-hop publications and interviewed celebrities, such as Nick Cannon, Common, Anika Noni Rose, and KekKe Palmer. Enter Starr, the blogger behind GangStarrGirl.com, Pop Culture Editor at Vibe.com, and talented writer revitalizing hip-hop journalism. As she muses on art, culture, health, and just life, it’s difficult not to notice her down-to-earth demeanor and approach to writing. Follow her editorial pulse on Twitter and explore the curiosity-fulfilling content of her blog.

The Crafter

Maia Merav – Making one-of-a-kind jewelry is no easy task, but Maia’s ornate jewelry line, Merav, wants to make great pieces accessible to the larger public. Combining sustainable materials, local vendors, and an undying passion for artistry, the Merav line is set to debut in the fall for jewelry lovers to devour. Running a jewelry business is costly, hence, Maia is raising money to offset material costs. Her promotion video is amazing, showcasing her work behind the scenes and vision for the future. Check it out on kickstarter.com and spread the word about this talented jeweler!

The Yogi

Tamara Davidson – Descending from a line of holistic health practitioners, Tamara is upholding her family legacy through the practice of vinyasa yoga. Another recent NYU grad, Tamara incorporates all sorts of healing exercises into her yoga class, adjusting the tempo depending on the expertise level of her yoga students. Beyond yoga, she also sings, writes, and reads poetry. If you’re in the NYC area, her class is a must! Get all the details from her blog, Harlem River Drive and learn from one of the most zen women I’ve ever met in my life.

As mentioned in the beginning of this post, I think it’s imperative that fellow creatives support each other. I hope that you’ll connect with the eight women above and share their creations with your friends, followers, and subscribers. A lot of great work goes undiscovered, so use your influence as an improv megaphone : – )

To all the talented women above, keep doing your thing. You have my unwavering support!

I read this incredible quote by Toni Morrison that sums up my summer.

“Freeing myself was one thing. Claiming ownership of that freed self was another.” ~ Toni Morrison

In late May, I quit my job ready to pursue my writing career full time. I moved out of my apartment in New York, traveled around the country to see family, and finally returned to New Jersey to await my departure for Brasil.

Here’s the thing: I actually didn’t have a concrete plan when I quit my job. I knew that my freelance income could cover my bills (that’s the most important thing right?) and I had been accepted into an artist-in-residence program in Salvador, Brasil.

But…

How the heck was I getting to Brasil? When was I leaving? How long was I going to stay? How was I going to wrap all my projects up in New York? (I’m still working on my feature documentary folks!)

Basically, God, I need you to help me figure out all the details!

While I had my moments of anxiety, I knew that the universe would shift everything into gear in due time. I’ve received multiple freelance opportunities spanning from marketing to writing. I managed to finish filming just about all of the new footage for my feature documentary. And one month later, I have a defined plan for my next chapter of life…well, somewhat.

I’m leaving for Brasil on August 26th to soak in Bahia and start my residency on September 1st. Technically, Brasil only grants tourist visas for 90 days, but I can apply for an additional 90-day extension, giving me 6 months to enjoy the country. After that, I’m not quite sure what my next move will be. In March, I’ll likely try to find another country to live in. I’m chucking this desire up to the universe with full confidence that another incredible opportunity will come my way. But most importantly, I’m not going to obsess over planning out my life beyond the next 6 months. I’ve found that every time I try to map out a “life plan” it ends up being worth the equivalent of a paper plane. My biggest lesson over the last three years: spontaneity is a blessing.

Regardless of the new opportunities that will come my way, I’m prepared to use this next year to hone my writing craft and work on a more serious body of work. In preparation, I’ve ordered eight specific books on sexuality and spirituality to increase my subject matter expertise while inspiring additional perspectives on certain issues. As I finish each book, I’ll post a review along with how the content will influence my work. Initially, I thought that I’d be penning a memoir during my Brasil residency, but I’m feeling as if my creative instincts are leading me another way. As creativity is unpredictable, I’m excited to take on this new adventure and walk this unlit path.

At the very least, what do I expect? Observing past and contemporary icons in pop culture, it seems like artists produce their best work in foreign settings. If you didn’t know, Zora Neale Hurston was living in the Caribbean while she wrote Their Eyes Were Watching God over the span of seven weeks. And I’d argue that it’s her best literary work. Flipping genres, Beyonce’s new album “4″ is clearly a reflection of her year off and taking time to see the world. While critics complain that Beyonce has little depth, I truly feel that her artistry is maturing

In this spirit, I’m quite excited for my year (or two) off. I’m ready to travel again, experience rich cultures, speak a new language, and cultivate my creativity.

If you have any recommendations for places or people to meet in Brasil or bordering countries, drop it in the comments! I appreciate everyone’s support and motivation to pursue my writing full time. Love you all!

For those of you that follow my work closely, I’ve spoken about my biological mother and losing her to breast cancer at a very young age. Her incredible fight and legacy inspire me everyday to vocalize the importance of breast health and women taking proactive steps to ensure a healthy life. One of my godmothers (and my mother’s bestfriend) was also diagnosed with breast cancer. And her fight will be featured in a new play called From Breast Cancer to Broadway.

In a series of ten minute plays written by breast cancer survivors, From Breast Cancer to Broadway will empower, encourage, entertain, and inform women, men, and families about the struggles and triumphs of breast cancer. My godmother, Loretta Embry, will have her monologue performed on June 27th at the Cherry Lane Theatre in New York. Other participating artists include: Ruby Dee, Ruben Santiago-Hudson, Billie Allen, Yusha-Marie Sorzano, Linda Powell, Stephanie Berry, Roscoe Orman, Rosalyn Coleman, George Faison. Ananias Dixon, Chuck Cooper, Frank Bowman, Cassie Freeman, Zainab Jah, Lizan MItchell, Bridgit Evans, Marjorie Johnson, Perri Gaffney, Aimiende Negbenebor, Rodney Freeman, Leah Gardiner Molly Smith, Jackie Richardson, Cori Thomas, Bernadette Marie Scruggs, Pat Golden, Lynn Nottage, Bridgette A. Wimberly, Peter Lawson Jones, Terrence Spivey, Gretchen Cryer, Melissa Ethridge, Lenice Bozeman, Rose Dukes, Loretta Embry, Sabrina Heath, Denise Richmond-Kelley, Kim Martin Sadler, Cordi Stokes, DeVonna White, Cheryl Williams, Brenda Pressley, Roslyn Ruff, Gena Bardwell, and Linda Wood-Wims

Tickets are FREE!!! To RSVP email slawrence@cherrylanetheatre.org

It’s barely been two weeks since my re-birth into self-employment. My life has changed dramatically, between moving out of my apartment in New York, working 50 hours a week, and having an endless amount of time to write. Since resigning from my 9-5, the smallest accomplishments inspire an abundance of joy. Whether it be securing an interview with a woman that I admire or earning another writing gig, it feels like the universe is nodding its head at my decision and lighting lanterns along this path. I smile every time I write “writer” as my occupation on an application or converse about my writing interests with strangers. It finally feels right. And frankly, there are no other options. Writing and storytelling are the innate talents that have blessed my life. And I finally look forward to honing my craft to become the best, period. I’ve been writing everyday, non-stop, from sun up to sun down. I wake up, read, write, interview, pitch, write some more, eat, sleep, wake back up and write, sleep, and then start the day again. It’s addictive, thrilling, and definitely challenging. But I’ve realized in the words of Oprah, “When you do well, when you do your best, people notice.” It is possible to “make it” solely on a freelance writer’s income, you just have to hustle (and frankly, leave New York City). Starting out, you won’t be able to afford 1,000 dollar rent, but you can live large in Brasil for $500 or even less in another country! I just interviewed a woman who lived in Thailand for 2 months. A small house in the city is $260 per month. Save up for that plane ticket, live abroad, cut your living expenses, and be inspired. A writer’s survival is all about creativity.

But next to writing, I vowed to completely overhaul my lifestyle. I wanted to live, breathe, and eat the change. Recently, I dyed my hair a deep red, celebrated 2 months of being vegetarian (with an occasional fish or seafood dish), finished filming my documentary (set to premiere soon), and began my domestic travels to see family and witness certain cultural events. Hello Afro-Brazil Festival next week! The last thing on my pre-Brasil bucket list, get my nose pierced. I’ve wanted to do it for years, but always hesitated between my various 9-5 jobs and family opinions. I’ve reached the conclusion that to live fully, self-actualized, and empowered requires a deep level of honesty coupled with action on what you want out of life.

There was no way that I, Arielle Loren, could work a 9-5 and become everything that I want to be: a bestselling author, renowned writer, empowering figure for young women, and innovative filmmaker. My love affair with perfection is too deep.

So I ask you, what can you eliminate as a distraction from achieving your dreams, goals, and “best life”? Share your thoughts.