aprilisms
the APRIL R. SILVER blog
Established 2008
Rest In Peace, dear Mtume
Originally posted on AKILA WORKSONGS’ Instagram account. | Rest in peace, dear Mtume. You will be sorely, sorely, sorely missed. This is hard. The passing of James Mtume (January 3, 1946 – January 9, 2022) is absolutely breaking my heart. I’ve not been able to concentrate on much since I got the text yesterday …
Rest Well, Oloye (Chief) Baba Lloyd Weaver
“Our entire experience is an African experience … there is a distinct African character that admonishes us to shun hypocrisy born of egocentrism and greed and the lust for power and control, that encourages us to move forward together so that in harmony with the world around us, with creating itself, we can perfect and …
The Struggle for Good Over Evil at Howard University
Perhaps there has never been a time when the students, faculty, and alumni at Howard University were free from struggle. This University is a place where the fight for good over evil has consistently played out in the classrooms, in the administration building, and in the board room. It is a battle that is as …
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BPL Presents | Brooklyn Public Library Presents LITFILM 2021. Get the Full Schedule!
It’s my honor to be working with the Brooklyn Public Library again, a longtime client at AKILA WORKSONGS. As a proud Brooklynite, I revel in their diverse programming. This year’s LITFILM festival promises to inspire and educate. Read on… “LitFilm – BPL’s popular film festival about writers, now in its fourth year – returns this …
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For Labor Day 2021, Consider the Six Black Women Who Organized the Atlanta Washerwoman Strike of 1818
Friends, In an effort to make Labor Day 2021 more meaningful, I embarked on what turned out to be an inspiring journey. This weekend, I brushed up on the labor movement to uncover a few things that are not commonly unknown. The plan was to share and post these things to the POB! network today. …
“Now” Is a Hard Time. Naturally.
Friends, Today is hard. Yesterday, too. Naturally or not, there’s… COVID-19 Too many preventable Deaths Earthquake in Haiti Heartbreaking Deaths Hurricane Ida Shocking, Watery Deaths Texas’ Abortion Law Evil-Doer Sponsored Deaths And then there’s that thing deep inside any one of us That thing we can’t see, won’t touch, can’t name, and may never feel—that …
What Would Chadwick Do?
It’s been only a week and a day since the beloved playwright, director, and actor Chadwick Boseman passed. I’ve had to pause and grieve more than I would have guessed these past few days. What a heightened time to contemplate, and appreciate, the power of quiet inner strength. Because of COVID, we’re made to be …
Yes to Amanda Trusty! #ROAR
I absolutely LOVE this video and all that it says! Thank you Kelley for sharing it! “Amanda Trusty (New York performer) has dealt with pressure from the entertainment industry to be a certain size and weight for over ten years. This is her way of finally letting it all go. Watch her peel away the …
Still, Reflective, and Solo (Thanksgiving 2013)
Happy Thanksgiving, everyone. Please enjoy it the way that you see fit. Today I’ll be still, reflective, and solo. My only mission for Thanksgiving 2013 is self-care. I’m neither sad nor depressed. I’m not anti-social and I’m definitely not anti-family (shout out to the McCullough and the Silver families). The last 14 months, however, have …
Sobriety Has Its Place | An African Life Lesson
#myheartisfull | Last week you couldn't tell me that I wouldn't be writing constantly about my first trip to Africa; that I wouldn't be taking family and friends along with me, every step of the way, via my blog. "That's Bananas!," I would have said. I'm back in the US now and I'm still processing, …
Familiar Faces in #Nigeria
I have never seen so many familiar faces so far away. It truly is good to be home. And now, after a great night in Abuja (the capital city of Nigeria), I'm headed to Yola to give my arts and activism lecture to the students at American University of Nigeria. You can follow me on …
On African Soil
A little after midnight (ET), Thursday, March 7, I was flying over the Atlantic Ocean listening to “Water No Get Enemy” by Fela Kuti. Preparing for this trip to Africa has been a challenge. It was so last minute that I hardly had time to catch my breath (note: Don’t read that as a …
Africa? Yes, Africa!
February 19, 2013. A director from American University of Nigeria sent me an email to invite me to speak on the business side of art and entertainment – all expenses paid plus an honorarium. He said I had come strongly recommended by a mutual friend, Kevin Powell. He also said that if I was interested …
The Schomburg Welcomes April R. Silver, 4/9/13
If you are having trouble reading this email, you may view the online version Please Forward The Schomburg Center and AKILA WORKSONGS present ELEVATING: 20 YEARS OF ARTS AND ACTIVISM A Conversation with APRIL R. SILVER Moderated by Curtis Stephen More Updates to Come! Find and Share This Event on Facebook! www.facebook.com/events/360416330732233/ ABOUT APRIL R. …
What’s Not Being Said about Haiti (Ezili Danto)
If you are having trouble reading this email, you may view the online version Forward Dear POB! Family, My heartfelt prayers are with the people of Haïti on this, the third anniversary of the catastrophic earthquake of January 12, 2010. I have never been to Haïti and don’t know that anyone on either side of …
This Crisis Has No Holiday: Hurricane Sandy in Haïti
If you are having trouble reading this email, you may view the online version A Message from My Good Friend (and Fellow HU Bison) Marie-Yolaine Eusebe… December 2012 Bonjour! During the holiday season, now more than ever, our thoughts turn gratefully to you, our donors and supporters, who have made our progress this year possible. …
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Far Rockaway and the NYC Marathon
If you are having trouble reading this email, you may view the online version [NOTE: This originally posted via Put On BLAST! (R) and was written the same day the NYC Marathon was called off, but before it was announced.] Oh Sandy, Dear Sandra (Part 1) Far Rockaway and The NYC Marathon by April R. …
Be Persistent, Yes But…
It is important to be persistent and squarely focused on achieving one’s goals but it is more important to have faith while pursuing those goals. Work motivated by faith is void of anxiety. Nothing kills a well-intentioned plan or idea quite like anxious energy. And it’s annoying.
We got nuttin’ but love for you, Heavy!
Since last night and through this morning I’ve been contemplating the words, “I can’t breathe. I can’t breathe.” Reportedly, those were the last words of the iconic Heavy D. It is said that he was in distress before he died yesterday afternoon. My heart is filled with sadness for his family and friends. I’ve been …
“And if you cannot work with love…”
We’re in the last quarter of 2011 and I can’t believe how turbulent it’s been. In this 9th month, I’m looking back at months of loss, death, fatigue, mistakes, and worst of all betrayal by people who I thought were compassionate human beings. I feel as though I was born all over again, at 43; …
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