aprilisms

the APRIL R. SILVER blog
Established 2008

“Senate Backs Apology for Slavery”

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

[The following news article was one of the topics of discussion for the weekly media panel on WBAI Radio’s “Wake Up Call,” conceived and hosted by ESTHER ARMAH and featuring regulars STACEY PATTON and APRIL R. SILVER. Click the post title above to get the link to the article.]“Senate Backs Apology for Slavery. Resolution Specifies …

“Senate Backs Apology for Slavery” Read More »

Me and President Barack Obama? Part 2

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

The National Father’s Day rally was as much of a success as it could be considering the torrential rain, thunder, and lightening that punctuated the day. For a rally that was scheduled from 10 am to 2 pm at the Lincoln Memorial and with rain that started at 8:30 that morning, the rally didn’t have …

Me and President Barack Obama? Part 2 Read More »

Dear, Mr. Silver. I Love You, Dearly!

Monday, June 22, 2009

My father is Eddie Silver, Jr. from Suffolk, VA. I am his first born and for that and other reasons, we share a special bond. I love him dearly and I’m a better woman for the man and father that he is. Happy Father’s Day, “Diedy”

Me and President Barack Obama? GTFOH!

Friday, June 19, 2009

The 44th President of the United States of America is supposed to be speaking at the National Father’s Day Rally tomorrow…the same rally where I’m speaking (see June 18 post below). I heard that he couldn’t wait to hear my remarks about “BE A FATHER TO YOUR CHILD,” and its 24 amazing contributors! No seriously, …

Me and President Barack Obama? GTFOH! Read More »

I’m a Featured Speaker at the National Father’s Day Rally THIS SATURDAY

Thursday, June 18, 2009

Father’s Day 2009 marks the 100th anniversary of Father’s Day. Who knew? This Saturday (June 20) at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC, there’s going to be a national rally to bring attention to a number of issues related to the topics of fatherhood and strong families. I’m honored to be among many of the …

I’m a Featured Speaker at the National Father’s Day Rally THIS SATURDAY Read More »

Happy Birthday To Me 🙂

Monday, June 15, 2009

Welcome to any of my nearly 1300 Facebook friends who may be visiting this site for the first time. My blog site, “aprilisms” is where I houses my writings (essays, poetry…yeah, I write poetry, too. Who knew?). Because so many of you have stopped by my Facebook page to say “Happy Birthday” (THANK YOU!) and …

Happy Birthday To Me 🙂 Read More »

Quote of the Week: “On Children” by Khalil Gibran

Saturday, June 13, 2009

Khalil Gibran is a poet, philosopher, and artist…born in Lebanon (1883 – 1931). He is one on my favorite poets. My father introduced me to him when I was a child. On the ocassion of Byron and Kenya’s baby shower today and because they asked me to offer a blessing or a prayer, I hope …

Quote of the Week: “On Children” by Khalil Gibran Read More »

Quote of the Week: Powerful People

Monday, June 8, 2009

“Powerful people never have to prove anything to anyone, and by extension, powerful people never apologize to powerless people for the actions they take in order to stay in power.” ~ John Henrick Clarke (Historian, Author, Professor)

I’m Sweatin’ Youssou N’Dour

Monday, June 8, 2009

I’m embarrassed. Saturday night was the first time seeing Youssou N’Dour perform. I knew him by name, knew he was famous, knew he was widely respected, and that he played in Brooklyn and/or NYC often. I also knew that I would, one day, check him out. That was it. I caught his show at BAM …

I’m Sweatin’ Youssou N’Dour Read More »

“Identify yourself, please.”

Saturday, June 6, 2009

In the “Two Lesbian Women of Color Beat Down by NYPD!” post that I announced earlier today, there’s an acronym in that announcement that might stump you, as it did me: LGBTSTGNC. When I was in college I once saw a slogan posted on one of the bulletin boards: “DEFINE, EXPLAIN, CLARIFY.” That’s all it …

“Identify yourself, please.” Read More »

Two Lesbian Women Beat Down by NYPD

Saturday, June 6, 2009

Important News That’s Been Circulating…Especially on Facebook: No Justice No Peace!! Protest the NYPD’s 77th Precinct’s Racist and Homophobic Attacks Against Lesbians of Color On Saturday May 16, 2009 two Lesbians of Color were brutally attacked outside of the Ife Lounge in Crown Heights, Brooklyn. After being beaten by several officers yelling sexist and homophobic …

Two Lesbian Women Beat Down by NYPD Read More »

AKILA WORKSONGS Honors Esther Armah

Friday, April 24, 2009

[from my Put On BLAST! (TM) email service] Peace, Fam. I am happy to announce that on Sunday, May 3, 2009, AKILA WORKSONGS, Inc. will honor Esther Armah with its 2nd Annual Founder’s Award. Ms. Armah is an international journalist, playwright, and radio host on WBAI 99.5 FM Radio in New York. Deeper than that, …

AKILA WORKSONGS Honors Esther Armah Read More »

My “Going Away” Party

Saturday, March 21, 2009

Today is the first day of spring and I had a going away party recently. I learned the hard way that I had to do something bold to sweep away the things, the people, and the energy in my life that were eroding me. My extra special guest was Tardy. You know Tardy, don’t you? …

My “Going Away” Party Read More »

In the beginning there was the word

Monday, March 9, 2009

Words are the units of language that we use to carry meaning, to ascribe value, to speak or write our truths. Throughout the history of the world, words have been perceived to have a sacred power, one that could be constructive or destructive. Like living beings, words have an origin and a history. They change …

In the beginning there was the word Read More »

My Article In Today’s New York Daily News

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

“Economic crisis a good time to reestablish real priorities”New York Daily News, March 3, 2009 (Brooklyn Edition, Page 6) Nearly 2.6 million people nationwide loss their jobs in 2008. Roughly, that’s equivalent to every man, woman, and child in Brooklyn. In this economic crisis, people are losing more than their ability to make ends meet, …

My Article In Today’s New York Daily News Read More »

I’m With Boycotting Barnes & Noble, If…

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

This image has been circulating around the Internet. I saw it on Facebook this weekend and I got it twice this morning. Rightfully so, there is a call for a boycott of this bookstore. The claim is that this picture was taken at a Barnes & Noble in Florida and that we should boycott all …

I’m With Boycotting Barnes & Noble, If… Read More »

I Am Not Blogging!

Sunday, March 1, 2009

Remember Richard Pryor’s classic piece about his children lying? (see Jan. 13 entry or go here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x541sggu4x4 Well, that’s how I felt about previous announcements about me re-launching my blog. I’ve had my blog for years. My interest in “blogging” would shift as easily as my moods, but I’d always encourage my clients: You just …

I Am Not Blogging! Read More »

Quote of the Week: “Closer” (From My Daddy)

Saturday, February 28, 2009

“You’re closer to your goal today then you were yesterday, baby.” That’s what my loving father used to say as words of encouragement to his weary daughter trying to get through college. Thank you, daddy. That helped more than you know.

Calgon…

Friday, February 27, 2009

I was on a panel with Playthell Benjamin and Mele Mell yesterday at LIU. The topic was THE DILEMMA OF BLACK LEADERSHIP IN THE OBAM ERA. I was invited by my friend Curtis Stephen, a distinguished journalist and former student there. It’s been a long time since I’ve been around people and immediately wanted to …

Calgon… Read More »

Quote of the Week: “You Look Like a Hoochie Mama”

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

That’s what one of my mentorstold me upon seeing this photo: “It’s the boots.” she said. I hollered! It’s a different look for me, yes (for those who don’t know me, I’m a jeans and tee-shirt kind of woman). But hoochie mama…don’t think so. In fact, only two women that I know objected to this …

Quote of the Week: “You Look Like a Hoochie Mama” Read More »

AKILA WORKSONGS is in partnership with AKILA Unlimited LLC. Member, Integrated Wealth Alliance (IWA) of THE FADARA GROUP. For photo credits, see Contact Us page. For a directory of links and events, visit Linktree.

Join Our POB! Email List

#AKILAWORKSONGS #ArtsAndActivism #BlackLivesMatter
#ArtIsEssential #CultureIsLife #JusticeIsDue