Top 10 Most Inspiring Women 2018
ANTIONETTE BLAKE
Blogger/Vlogger, Social Media Strategist & Podcast Host | Visit Website
Jane Clark, Co-Founder of BrandSwan
Why We Chose Antoinette Blake
“Every year I add someone to the top 10 list whom I know very little about. My team does the research on these nominees and they are then chosen based on their accomplishments and impact on the community. Antoinette is one of these fabulous ladies. Despite having tons of mutual friends and colleagues, I don’t believe we’ve ever met — and if we have, it’s been years and years.
If you haven’t met her either, let me tell you why she deserves to be on this list. Every woman-centric event I’ve attended, her name was mentioned as a woman of influence. She is most known as an award-winning blogger (@DelawareBlogger to be precise) and social media guru. She has a weekly podcast and also teaches as an adjunct professor. Other accomplishments include Entrepreneur of the Year Award, featured in several publications like Delaware Today, Woman’s Day, Parade, The Delaware Business Times, and Technical.ly. The most impressive… she’s even on radio! Is there anything this gal can’t do? Antoinette, can we get coffee?! Please??”
Antoinette Blake
Blogger/Vlogger, Social Media Strategist & Podcast Host | Visit Website
Tell us a little bit about your career. (What does your job entail? How did you get into the field? Etc.)
I started my first blog in 2012, DeDivahDeals as a way to fill a void after the death of my grandmother. One of the posts that I had written was about the “Purses to Portfolio” event which was held at the Chase Center on the Riverfront. The post was read by Ronni Cohen, Executive Director of The Delaware Financial Literacy Institute which eventually lead her to asking me to conduct blogging workshops at various libraries throughout the state which lasted until 2015.
In 2014, at the Purses to Portfolio event not only was I a featured speaker I was also the recipient of the “Golden Purse Award” presented by The Delaware Financial Literacy.
Once my husband was diagnosed with colon cancer, I decided to pursue my passion, however, turned it into a profit, A.Blake Enterprises was founded in 2015. In addition to being a Brand Ambassador blogging and conducting product reviews for various brands, including Verizon Wireless, Best Buy, Walmart, Jennie-O, Drive Shop USA, and others I also provide social media services to business owners, assisting them with the success of their social media marketing campaigns.
As an educator by trade, with a BS in Elementary Education from Delaware State College (University), I find teaching comes natural to me so I am also an Adjunct instructor at Delaware Technical Community College in Stanton and Dover, and coming this fall at Delaware State University, teaching, “Building Your Brand with a Blog.”
What is the most rewarding thing about what you do?
Tell us about a project or accomplishment that you consider to be the most significant in your career.
Anytime that I am asked to speak I consider that to be a very significant accomplishment, however, being interviewed on The Delaware Way, WHYY, or in print for Delaware Today or The Delaware Business Times are wonderful ways in which to leave my legacy for my sons. Also, being chosen the Winner of Best Blogger by North DelaWHERE Happenings was pretty cool too!
Should students in your field go for more education or more work experience? Why?
How do you achieve work/life balance?
What change do you want to see in the world, and how are you aiding that cause?
Using Social media in a more positive and productive manner which is why my posts on DelBlogger are uplifting and educational and/or inspirational. My weekly Podcast, Social Media Sunday with the Delaware Blogger is a platform for sharing positivity in the communities and my latest collaboration with DETvCh is going to be positive programming as well
Give a shout out to a woman or women who you consider to be your mentor(s)
Next up is day 10. The last, but not least, inspiring woman.
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