The name is a play on words. It’s derived from the phrase “driving while Black” which describes the sometimes apparently random pullovers of African American drivers by the police. Well the phrase has been dumped on it’s head and the connotation redefined in positive fashion.

Set your sights and savings accounts on Hotlanta for the middle of next year. Plans continue for the first really big gathering of Black bloggers and those who wish to be. Sign up for the conference call at the link and join in on the detailed planning. If you have a specialty then give a workshop. There’s plenty of other stuff to do as well.

Check out the wiki and sign up for the RSS feed too. More info is being posted now that the planning team has the date and host hotel set. Get the word out and pass the news on to your friends. Post a story with a link like I’m doing now. You know you want to meet Paula Mooney and Theo Johnson just like everybody else does. Well I have it on good authority that they might be there so you be there too and hang out and learn.

I’m going to give you guys a serious actionist tip too. Read “The World is Flat” by Thomas Friedman before the conference. I’ve read it and I got a chance to hear him speak at Auburn University’s lecture series this afternoon. One of his major theses is that we’re living in a historic time of flattenting forces. Guess what Black bloggers, you’re part of the historic epoch. We won’t realize our impact for another ten years but you won’t truly be a part of the impact if you’re not in Atlanta next July.

I love ya like virtual brothers and sisters. We’ll do an in-person group hug nine months from now.