aprilisms
the APRIL R. SILVER blog
Established 2008
Quote of the Week: New Ideas
I learned this quote from performance poet, playwright, and educator MO BEASLEY (a dear friend, client, and fellow Howardite). Mo was conducting his popular “N-Word” workshop for high school students in Mt. Vernon last spring when he explained the importance of seeking out the deep origins of the word nigga, […]
Login Be Damned!
About 4 years ago I took my first luxury vacation. I treated myself to a trip to Puerto Rico for a few days, stayed at a luxury resort, bought anything I saw that I wanted without worrying about cost (I just needed to try that once in my lifetime), and […]
5 Tips for Business Email
Like many of you, I live on email and conduct the bulk of my business correspondence via email. And like many of you, I’m sure, I feel oddly disconnected if I’m away from desktop or BlackBerry for extended periods of time. It becomes this big “thing” in my head if […]
Forty Backwards
I originally published the essay below (via Put On BLAST!) two summers ago (July 2006). Here’s the replay, with a few extra gems. The response was tremendous then. Thought you might enjoy it now. Forty Backwards Last month I turned 38. With 40 fast approaching, I’ve been more reflective than […]
Arts & Activism 101
It was in 2005 that I had one of my “A-Ha!” moments. I was directed to connect with an organization in the south that “spoke my language,” an organization that I should know: Alternate ROOTS. It was exciting to discover them. I felt like I should know them already, given […]
In Memoriam: Remembering Mzee Moyo
First published via “Put On BLAST!”August 18, 2007 Dear Friends and Family, I’m a little numb after having received the news of Mzee Moyo’s passing. This is sad news to have to share today. It has been suggested to me, on more than one occasion, that maybe I should leave […]
In Memoriam: Dr. Barbara Ann Teer: Blowing Our Minds with Blackness!
A Personal Journey with Dr. Barbara Ann Teer “We are here on this earth to learn how to be great ancestors!” I heard that quote from a Yoruba priest a few years ago. Leave it to the Africans to drop such pearls of wisdom with which we should adorn ourselves. […]
Anniversary Celebration: Yes, there were rose petals!
What a Difference a Rose Makes! All week, I have been getting calls and emails from girlfriends and distant associates alike: “Roses petals? Did they really sprinkle rose petals at your feet, April?” That was just the beginning. When Mo and Maritri finished performing “NORMAL” (which has become the official […]
Camille Yarbrough Honored at Anniversary Celebration (Good Morning Ship Mates!!)
Nana Camille Yarbrough is a living legend amongst us! She is a soul singer; a poet; a dancer; an actress of film, television, and theater; a television talk show host; a radio host; a children’s book author; a mentor; an activist; and much more. All that work can be summarized […]
Anniversary Celebration: Elsa Lathan and Kerry DeBruce
From Friday night, I have some really wonderful examples of just how much of a dingbat I can be. First, I forgot to put in the program that ELSA LATHAN (of Footprints Communications, Inc.) is AKILA alumni too! Not only is Elsa a dear friend from my HU days, but […]
The Most Glorious Night Ever! A Re-Cap of our Anniversary Celebration…
from Put On BLAST!Monday, April 21, 20088:000 am Some of you might remember Terry McMillian’s second book Disappearing Acts (1989). It was the love story of record when I was in college and I devoured it in two days. There is a part – and I may be sketchy on […]
I’m So Glad to Be from HOWARD U…
“Making an ASS out of U and ME!”Well, really…just me, LOL! My Beloved HU Fam, This is what happens when you ASSUME…and when you’re moving too fast: An old friend from high school and I re-connected recently. She’s been on my Put On BLAST! list for some time now. She’s […]
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