2013 DIGIFAM SPEAKER: Stephanie Humphrey

This is a series of interviews with the speakers of Digital Family Summit 2013, October 11-13.
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Stephanie Humphrey is a tech-life expert who  merges her passion for lifestyle media with in-depth tech expertise to show everyday people how empowering, enriching and fun technology can be. Stephanie is driven by the sole purpose of connecting people, particularly those underrepresented in technology, with the tech know-how to transform their worlds.

Stephanie contributes her tech-life expertise to national media outlets including TheGrio.com and BlackEnterprise.com. She is the author of the popular weekly “Life + Tech” column on EBONY.com, keeping readers up-to-date on the latest tech topics from gadgets to social media, and originated the “Tech2Go” weekly column on TheRoot.com. Stephanie has also been featured on Comcast’s “Tech Life” segments on Philadelphia and Atlanta radio, on CBS3 Philadelphia as a freelance reporter, and as Senior Lifestyle Correspondent for “Philly What’s Up” on CW Philly. Her tech expertise was presented on the nationally syndicated television show “Our World with Black Enterprise”, and she is very excited about her latest venture as a regular technology contributor to Fox 29’s “Good Day Philadelphia” (WTXF). Clips of some of Stephanie’s work can be viewed on her YouTube channel.

Stephanie holds a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Florida A&M University and a M.S. in Telecommunications and Networking Engineering from the University of Pennsylvania. 
twitter: @TechLifeSteph

web:  http://www.amatteroflifeandtech.com/
youtube: http://www.youtube.com/user/TechLifeSteph

How did you get involved with blogging?

I was looking for a way to build a reputation as a tech expert, and when I couldn’t get writing gigs from anywhere else, I decided to create my own blog, post my own original content, and it worked! I was able to leverage my blog to secure higher profile writing assignments.

What’s your favorite technology to help you blog/write/tweet/edit?

A large and important part of blogging is promotion. I love using Hootsuite to post updates to different social media sites at the same time & the scheduling feature is a life-saver!

What blogs do you read regularly?

Too many to count! I have a Twitter list that keeps track of all the tech sites I read, but my faves are Mashable, TechCrunch, and CNet.

If you could travel back in time and send yourself a message, what would it be?

Life boils down to planning and executing. If one plan doesn’t work out, you can always start another one…

Any advice for young bloggers?

The cliche is true – Don’t Give Up! You truly can’t fail until you quit…

What’s the biggest danger facing digital teens & their families today?

By far, social media is the greatest danger facing teens today. Online bullies and predators are getting more savvy and young people are paying the price. Constant vigilance on the part of parents is critical, talking to your kids regularly about the dangers and monitoring their accounts if necessary.

What are you going to talk about at the conference?

I will be featured on a panel about Kids and Kid Fame. I hope to be able to lend my social media expertise to the discussion and show young people what to watch out for online!

What’s next for you after the Digital Family Summit?

You can catch me most Mondays on “Good Day Philadelphia” on Fox 29. It streams live at www.myfoxphilly.com. Also, my tech column on www.EBONY.com is new on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Do you have any hobbies other than digital media creation? What are you passionate about?

Fitness, community service, & shopping (not necessarily always in that order!)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

 Adam Gertsacov is the co-founder and co-organizer of Digital Family Summit.  He wears many hats, including those of a professional clown, an author and publisher, an artist/educator, a non-profit administrator, a P.T. Barnum impersonator, a flea circus impresario, and the esteemed hat of the Clown Laureate of Greenbelt, Maryland.