by Joyce Kyles | Jan 25, 2017 | Blog
When it comes to social justice, awareness and voicing the trials and/or triumphs of our citizens, social media is one of the most powerful tools on the planet. It’s important to understand which platforms will provide the best leverage for your targeted audience. I will share three platforms that have proven to be consistently successful for individuals and organizations around the world.
Facebook. Facebook continues to be one of the most far reaching forms of technological communication to date. According to statistica.com, the third quarter of 2016, Facebook had 1.79 billion monthly active users. What started out as a social outlet to connect with family and friends and exchange ideas has now become a major go-to platform for social change. Facebook Live allows you to reach audiences in real time. Viewers can join in, opt out, rejoin, share your video and more in just a matter of seconds. The impact is instant. You can do anything from sharing your point of view to streaming a presentation. And, all of this can be done for free! If you have a budget for marketing, you can invest in purchasing Facebook Ads. If you upgrade your post or video to a sponsored ad, it will provide you an opportunity to reach an even larger target audience. Take a moment and think about how many reported current events being reported have cited a Facebook post or video as the source of its existence.
Twitter. It’s amazing the level of conversation that takes place with 140 characters. Posting in this platform are referred to as tweets. Like Facebook, you can attach photos and videos to the tweets you share. You also have the ability to tag people, follow them and encourage having others to follow you. The key to Twitter is the use of the # sign, affectionately recognized in the social, media world as a hashtag. You can host twitter parties and twitter chats with anyone around the globe. Another great feature associated with Twitter is Periscope which is quite similar to Facebook Live. It is noteworthy to mention that Periscope was 1st on the social media scene. And, just like Facebook, you have the opportunity to purchase ads for additional leverage and outreach. If you’ve ever wondered about the usefulness of Twitter, consider our recent Presidential election and any number of current social issues where a hashtag has been referenced.
Podcasts. Podcasts can be very effective as well. You can share your own thoughts or create a radio show to bring emphasis to a particular issue or take on several initiatives over the course of time. Shows can be recorded and can be uploaded to a website, YouTube, Vimeo, Facebook or emailed to family, friends and colleagues with a request to share it within their circles of influence. For many people working in the trenches, it is sometimes difficult to get the attention of mainstream media. And, like the others, you have the option of a free platform or pay for more options and overall visibility.
by Joyce Kyles | Dec 1, 2016 | Blog
On November 5, 2016, I hosted my organization’s 6th Annual Men’s Domestic Violence Awareness program. This year, I chose to co-host the event with our Family Safety Center. The purpose is to bring our community together to promote and encourage male involvement, mentoring, education and healthy relationships. We also make honorary presentations for male advocates, with a specific emphasis on domestic violence. I strategically host this event on the 1st Saturday following Domestic Violence Awareness month. I believe it keeps the conversation going, adding the component of showing the positive side of male advocacy and their involvement to help end violence against women.
The following week, on November 8, 2016, the U.S. Presidential election took place. After spending the weekend celebrating men who engage in efforts to eradicate violence against women, I watched in disbelief as the country voted to place a man in office whose comments about various groups, including minorities and women, have been disturbing, to say the least.
I am saddened to see that what I continue to feel and experience in my own community has come to pass in reality as a whole across our nation. The selection of our new President shows that a high level of fear, celebrity and the acceptance of ‘locker room talk’ among other issues, is alive and well. It also shows that those of us who serve in a leadership capacity have to continue pushing our local, state and national legislators to hold those accountable for establishing and/or furthering to incite the social, racial and economic injustices that have caused various minority communities to feel even less likely to trust or believe for equality and long term change.
Furthermore, it is noteworthy to mention that our President elect won based on the electoral college and not the popular vote. After researching the history of how the electoral college was formed in the first place, it appears that the voices of minorities were not part of that establishment. I’m a woman of color living in a southern ‘red’ state. I’m definitely a boots on the ground type of community leader, and yes I voted. And, while my vote DID matter in terms of my right to do so, that vote went up against a systematically strong alliance that continues to show up as a powerful, united front.
What does all of this mean for me as a minority women in leadership? It serves as a personal and professional reminder that I/we still have a lot of work to do. There are current laws that need to be examined, challenged and changed. I’m more determined to ensure that my voice and the voices of other minorities are heard, respected and protected. As a woman of color & community leader, I have an obligation to serve my community, ensure they understand their right to speak up and out regarding issues of equality and justice, and demand that tangible resources are made available to further enhance their quality of life. Hopefully, the new President will sincerely examine our country’s issues, challenges and concerns in a way that will encourage him to adopt a different perspective and work for holistic justice and equality.
by Joyce Kyles | May 20, 2016 | Blog
I am honored to share that I am one of 16 women who was selected to participate as a L.E.A.P. Cohort 3 Fellow.
About L.E.A.P. (information taken directly from the www.calcasa.org website).
California Coalition Against Sexual Assault (CALCASA), in partnership with Women of Color Network (WOCN, Inc) has established the Leadership Education and Advancement for Professionals (LEAP) Project. LEAP’s primary purpose is to enhance the professional skills of individuals of color seeking professional advancement in the anti-violence against women field.
The goals of the LEAP Project are to:
- Build upon and enhance the professional capacity of women of color (WOC) executive directors, directors and senior managers in anti-violence against women programs.
- Create a community of support and professional network for emerging WOC executives and management leaders, aimed at reducing isolation, maximizing skills development, information-sharing, and communication.
- Optimize the success and effectiveness of emerging WOC leaders by providing opportunities to impact spheres of influence and communities through “Pay it Forward” activities.
The LEAP Project is designed to provide an intensive interactive, distance learning and in-person, comprehensive training and practicum experience. As a cohort member, LEAP Fellows will develop and enhance leadership and management skills to enable to take upon and succeed in leadership/management roles in their organizations and in the anti-violence against women field.
I have attached the link with the newsletter associated with our specific announcement. http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?m=1114973702222&ca=56fbc23f-8efd-40f4-9729-ccb4d21caab7
When it comes to social justice, awareness and voicing the trials and/or triumphs of our citizens, social media is one of the most powerful tools on the planet. It’s important to understand which platforms will provide the best leverage for your targeted audience. I will share three platforms that have proven to be consistently successful for individuals and organizations around the world. 
