Date Night Haiku
#NaPoWriMo Day 7
Date Night Haiku
a cool breeze blows by in march
we hold hands waiting
streetcar date night yes
© Uchechi Kalu 2015
what it means to summer
what it means to summer
#NaPoWriMo Day 5
we pack light
take only a few of your starch white shirts
my dresses color the back seat
tiptoe their way through to our
favorite cooler
flailing with the wind
we come here
where toes peek above sand
and play with each other
me with my head nestled in your shoulder
smiling good evening
this is all we need
this
right here
©Uchechi Kalu 2015
Yes We Code chat 17: Catching up, updates and connecting
#YesWeCode chat #17: Catching up, updates and connecting
Sunday April 5th, 2015
6pmPST/8pmCT
It’s been a few weeks since the last #yeswecode chat, and I can imagine you’ve all been busy. I’ve missed you all, and I can’t wait to find out what you’ve been up to. My husband and I just finished attending and participating in NOEW (New Orleans Entrepreneur Week), and we’re excited for all the newly engaged couples who are signing up for wedOcracy. How have all of you been? What’s new in your startup business or tech work? This week we’ll focus on catching up, getting updates and seeing how we can all support each other.
Questions to think about:
1. What are you working on right now?
2. What’s the biggest challenge you’re facing in the coming week?
3. What’s the biggest milestone you’ve accomplished recently?
4. If there was one thing you could do to turn things around, what would it be?
5. If there was one thing we could all do to support you, what would that be?
See you on Twitter!
New to the #yeswecode chats? Check out the guidelines to help you make the most out of it!
#YesWeCode chat 16: NOEW and The Future of Entrepreneurship in New Orleans
#YesWeCode chat #16: NOEW & The Future of Entrepreneurship in New Orleans
Sunday March 15th, 2015
6pmPST/8pmCT
Diversity in technology is about bringing unique voices to the conversation as creators. It’s also about the diverse cities that make up the larger tech ecosystem in the US.
While cities like San Francisco and New York are known for hugely successful startup exits and major tech companies like Google and Apple, cities like New Orleans are joining the conversation and looking to tech entrepreneurship to revitalize the city and make a mark in the startup world.
The city is no stranger to major tech events. This summer, the #yeswecode hackathon took place here during Essence Festival, and in a few weeks New Orleans Entrepreneur Week (NOEW), presented by IBERIABANK, will take place from March 20th-27th in Downtown New Orleans. The event, produced by The Idea Village, will bring together thought leaders, influencers, changemakers and startups distrupting their industies. From pitch events like the Big Idea to workshops and panels, #NOEW2015 promises to be exciting and informative.
You should join the #yeswecode chat if you want to:
- See how NOLA is making a name for itself in the tech world
- Get a sneak peak view of the buzz and excitement before the event.
- Connect with influencers, startups and participants early, so you can make the most of the event.
- Understand how diverse cities are adding to the tech inclusion conversation.
- Lend your expertise to the conversation.
- Ask questions to some of the best and brightest this city has to offer.
Here are some questions to think about:
- How can events like #NOEW2015 encourage other cities who want to bring engage tech and entrepreneurship?
- When it comes to pitching your startup, what’s the best advice you’d give to up and coming entrepreneurs?
- Is tech entrepreneurship a new market in your city? If so, how is it changing/affecting where you live?
- What’s the history behind NOEW? How has it impacted the larger vision for revitalizing NOLA?
- What can participants expect to gain from attending?
- How can other cities launch a similar event? What does it take?
I hope you’ll all join us! See you there!
Want to help us spread the word? Please share these tweets with your community:
Celebrate Women’s Day By Letting Fear Go
Today is International Women’s Day, and I’m thinking about the women who have made it possible for me to be here.That list includes coders, designers, First Ladies, close friends, my mother, writers, the late poet June Jordan and the many women I meet in technology each and every day.
It also gets me thinking about the doubt that many of us confront each and every day. Are we smart enough, strong enough, competent enough, etc. More often than not, that fear stops us from being awesome in what we were born to do.
Trust me, I’ve been there. I made a career out of public speaking and getting on stage. When I first started, I was so afraid of risking my heart and sharing my work as a poet and spoken word performer, or just telling my story as an immigrant woman who defied cultural expectations.
I also know the other side of that fear–standing on that stage and soaking in what I was born to do. It’s pretty amazing.
So, this Women’s Day I’m challenging myself to choose rejection over fear and do it anyway.
What scares you in your work? How does it stop you from creating each and every day? Are you afraid to say, draw, design, create, make a mistake? Let’s make this the week we do it anyway.
Each day this week, I’ll post my “fear” and how I’m choosing to let it go and create anyway. Who’s with me?
How will you let go of fear this week? I’d love to know in the comments.
Photo credit: www.guardian.co.uk
#YesWeCode chat #15: Mentorship & Accountability in Entrepreneurship & Tech
#YesWeCode chat #15: Finding Mentorship and Accountability in Tech Entrepreneurship
Sunday March 1st, 2015
6pmPST/8pmCT/9pmEST
Connect with me @uchechi_writes on Twitter
Over the past few months, I’ve talked to a lot of entrepreneurs who are passionate about their ideas and ready to make them happen. Whether they’re just learning to code and taking online design courses, or they’ve got the code skills but are new to business, the biggest challenge many face is staying accountable and motivated even when things get really difficult.
So, how do you stay accountable to your work and your tech goals?
During this chat, we’ll talk about finding mentorship and accountability partners, and how that can help you go from great idea to a great action plan.
I’ve had accountability partners in the past, and what I appreciated most was that they were also trying to stay accountable in their own work, and they could see things from my perspective and help me understand what I was trying to achieve. Hopefully, I did the same for them.
Some questions to think about:
- When things get difficult in your tech/entrepreneurial work, who do you turn to for advice?
- Do you have mentors/advisors/accountability partners? How has that helped you achieve your goals?
- Are you serving as mentor for someone else? What has that process been like?
- What advice would you give to someone looking for mentorship?
And more! Join us!