Nominations will open on August 1st and close on September 6th. 

 2013 Black Weblog Awards Schedule

July 15th - 2013 Categories Announced

August 1, 2013 - September 6, 2013 Nominations

September 16- September 26th First Round of Voting

October 1-October 12, 2013 Finalist Voting

November 2, 2013 - Winners Announced- Awards Dinner & Black Social Media Summit.

PLEASE don't attempt to submit your blog now. There is no other way to have your blog considered other than the nomination process. Yes, the awards will be announced live at the Black Social Media Summit in Houston, TX on November 2, 2013.

Yes, there will be a nomination fee again this year which will help fund the physical awards that will go to all winners. 

If you would like to prepare for the awards season, I would suggest evaluating your social networks and strategizing how to mobilize your audience to vote for you in the first and second round of voting. If you think you have a pretty good chance of winning or just want to hang out with your favorite bloggers, you can start running the cost of plane fare to Houston to collect your award in person on November 2nd. All nominees and finalists in attendance will be recognized in some way in addition to the winners. 

We hope that this stems the flow of emails and eases your fear that you will miss out on the awards season. We're glad you're excited. These are all of the details we can make public at this time.

SocaMom.com...because Motherhood is CAH-NEE-VAL! by Eva Greene-Wilson

Why did you decide to start blogging?

Once I became a parent, and started meeting other parents, I realized that my style of parenting was different because I was brought up in a Caribbean household. I decided to start this blog to share resources for parents with roots in the Caribbean who are raising their children outside of the West Indies. I believe that giving children and parents access to their roots truly empowers and inspires them.

When people come to your blog, what will they find?

When people visit my blog, they will find a little bit of everything. I am a Caribbean American mom, who loves technology, sci-fi, and shoes, which means that people will find everything from Caribbean family events and West Indian recipes to movie reviews and fabulous footwear. One of the goals of the blog is to provide resources for parents raising their children outside of the Caribbean, so they will find plenty of activity and coloring sheets in my downloads section, a calendar with Caribbean events, recipes, and interviews with Caribbean parents. SocaMom.com is also my personal blog, so there are family stories and parenting advice as well.

What's the promise you make to people who visit your blog?

I can promise that my reviews will be honest and my shoes will be fabulous. Other than that - I don't make any promises!

The SocaMom.com's Top Three Blog Posts:

Dear Crayola...

5 Ways to Nurture, Encourage, and Support the Organized Child

Where Are You FROM: The Olympics and Question of National Origin, Citizenship, and Belonging for Caribbean Americans

Productivity LLC by Shimira Williams.

Why did you decide to start blogging?

I was frustrated answering the same questions from people. I thought a blog would be perfect to house and share all the information I know about technology.

When people come to your blog, what will they find?

They will find tips and how-to video on various technology that help people and organizations communicate and collaborate more productively

Who are your blogging inspirations or heroes?

Very Smart Brothers
TechMama

The Sister Source by Sister Stephanie.

Why did you decide to start blogging?

I wanted to be a voice for women of color that are so often overlooked in the policy landscape.

When people come to your blog, what will they find?

Interesting facts, opportunities for action, and connections to movements designed to help vulnerable populations.

What's the promise you make to people who visit your blog?

That if they stick around they will learn something new!

Who are your blogging inspirations or heroes?

For Harriett--love the broad scope of topics and contributors. Madame Noire--wish I could have as many women interested in issues as they have in fashion and gossip!

The Sister Source's Top Three Blog Posts:

Mobilize Monday: Support Mental Health in Schools Act

Friday Facts: Do You Vote for Mayor This Year?

Surviving Summer With Your College Student

S.L. Writes Courageous Content by Sarah L. Webb.

Why did you decide to start blogging?

When I started my blog, I was also teaching high school full time. The blog was a way for me to reclaim my identity as a writer, because I had been so consumed with education. After writing a few posts, reading a lot of material about how to blog, and getting feedback from readers, I realized that this medium of blogging could change the world, and was actually already changing the world. It was the platform I’d been waiting for most of my life to connect with people and help them by way of my writing and stories. 

When people come to your blog, what will they find?

When you come to S. L. Writes, you'll find courageous content, which I define as writing about courage or writing that takes courage.

What's the promise you make to people who visit your blog?

I promise that readers will be encouraged to live free and realize their true potential.

Who are your blogging inspirations or heroes?

I hope to discover them at this conference.

S.L. Writes Courageous Content's Top Three Blog Posts:

Why the Wrong Road Doesn't Seem so Bad at First

Can a Poet Raise a Boy to be a Man?

Sister to Sister: An Interview on Colorism

Savy Brown by Savy Brown.

Why did you decide to start blogging?

I believe being healthy doesn't have to be complicated, being green can be easy and being broke isn't an option. I wanted to share my continuing journey with others and get help along the way.

When people come to your blog, what will they find?

Tips and tricks about natural hair, healthy living and diy projects around the home. It's alos a resource for product reviews and ingredient definitions.

What's the promise you make to people who visit your blog?

That I won't (knowingly) promote any product that is harmful to your health or the environment. :)

Who are your blogging inspirations or heroes?

Afrobella, Black Girl With Long Hair, Yoli Ouiya, Coil Review, Keiko Lynn, Style Is Style, EcoSalon, Mochatini, A Beautiful Mess

Savy Borwn's Top Three Blog Posts:

Homemade Brown Sugar Body Scrub

Upcycle Ideas Digest #1

How I Wore My Natural Hair This Summer

Ms. Travel Chic by Toya Nicole

Why did you decide to start blogging?

I am very passionate about travel. When I would take trips and post photos on my social media accounts I often had friends (mainly fellow brown girls) comment that they "wish" they could travel like me. I wanted to start a blog to show people that you can travel well in luxury accomodations (if desired) for affordable prices. I also think is important no matter your relationship or financial status to see the world and take a well earned vacation. African Americans dont travel as much as we should and its my hope through my experiences, tips and resources offered via my blog it will encourage them to travel.

When people come to your blog, what will they find?

Personal travel experiences
Tips
Resources
Weekly internet travel deals
My travel essentials

What's the promise you make to people who visit your blog?

They will walk away learning something new about a destination or travel deal

Who are your blogging inspirations or heroes?

Curly Nikki
Luvvie

Ms. Travel Chic's Top Three Blog Posts:

Way to save on Food while traveling

Top Three Girlfriend Getaways

Flying Solo

Cupcakes and Travel Magazines by Valerie Lee

Why did you decide to start blogging?

To share my opinions and talk about the subjects that interest me....

When people come to your blog, what will they find?

Whatever was on my mind when the need to write hit me.

What's the promise you make to people who visit your blog?

No promises no cures....just me sharing and talking about what moves me.

JAYBLESSED.com by Jay Blessed.

Why did you decide to start blogging?

In April 2011, I resigned from my full-time marketing job at a renowned law firm in NYC, after just one month of "test" blogging and decided to wholeheartedly invest my time and energy into my passion for media fusing the love I have for my Caribbean heritage. It wasn't an easy decision but I had my husband (co-founder of JAYBLESSED.com) there to support, encourage and advise me on every move I made.

When I started my blog, there were many Caribbean websites which mainly consisted of forums and photo sites - outside of the news sources. Therefore, I decided to fill that void by bringing fresh, daily content; incorporating entertainment news, news, music, fashion, interviews and a healthy dose of celebrity gossip from all over the Caribbean and abroad into one place! 

While the Caribbean has its own celebrities, a lot of celebrities that appear in mainstream and international blogs are also Caribbean or of Caribbean descent. Therefore, they also have a home on JAYBLESSED.com.
My writing style and delivery has definitely solidified my place in the blogosphere and helped me in building and maintaining a strong and loyal readership and fan base.

When people come to your blog, what will they find?

Daily content from around the world featuring leading Caribbean celebrities and public figures, breaking news, in-depth interviews, new music, some politics and a "callaloo" of all things trending in and around the Caribbean!

What's the promise you make to people who visit your blog?

We promise our JAYBLESSED.com readers that they will not only be entertained but educated.

Who are your blogging inspirations or heroes?

Necole Bitchie definitely lit the flames under my butt, especially after I heard her testimony. She is a leader and dominant force in her field and she's a brown girl, just like me!

Jay Blessed's Top Three Blog Posts:

Miss T&T World 2012 not your traditional beauty but she’s NOT Ugly!

Pregnant Nia Long spotted in Trinidad

INTERVIEW: Colette Cyrus-Burnett of SuperWings gets candid on business, charity, WINGS and lots in between!

Here is a Sneak Peak :

Sailing Autistic Seas by Miz KP.

Why did you decide to start blogging?

I created this blog because I believe that it will give me an opportunity to share my experiences with other parents who have children with special needs. I believe that parents learn best when we can share what we know and ask each other questions.

When people come to your blog, what will they find?

They will find blog posts, autism apps, an event calendar, support information and resources. They will also find links to social media pages.

What's the promise you make to people who visit your blog?

I will use this blog to keep you informed. I will use this blog to keep you enlightened. I will use this blog to share our journey and to share what it is like to raise a son with autism.

Who are your blogging inspirations or heroes?

I have a few but if I had to choose my top two they are: Lisa Quinones-Fontanez of Autism Wonderland and Jenell of Kinky Coily Curly Me.

Sailing Autistic Sea's Top Three Blog Posts:

The Wave that Melted My Heart

My Autistic Angel: One Year Later

Defending Autism as We Mourn