aprilisms

Be Persistent, Yes But...

2011-11-11T04:16:00.000-05:00

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!

2011-11-09T09:29:00.012-05:00

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 pausing periodically to send them my love through prayer. It all seems so unfair.

"And if you cannot work with love..."

2011-09-26T08:53:00.000-04:00

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; as though I just arrived on planet earth; as though I was made to learn some of life lessons from

NYPD's Ferocious Appetite for Black and Brown Men

2011-09-06T09:52:00.003-04:00

[originally posted September 6, 2011 via Put On BLAST! ®] Good morning, This email blast was scheduled days ago, simply to remind my POB! subscribers about the upcoming court date for the Monumental 5 [www.monumental5.bucktownusa.com]. But the New York Police Department (NYPD) is at it again and I need to fold in the latest news from Brooklyn. Yesterday (September 5, 2011) at the annual

The Monumental 5 Still Need Our Support

2011-09-06T09:43:00.000-04:00

AS OF TODAY, THE CHARGES AGAINST THE MONUMENTAL 5HAVE NOT BEEN DROPPED! Join Us in Supporting the Monumental 5TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2011at 9:30 amNYS Supreme Court100 Centre StreetPart F, 2nd FloorNew York, NY 10013[click HERE for directions] How It Works: If you come to court to show your support, please be prepared to stay all day *or* for as little as a few minutes. No matter how long or how

I'm Keynoting at San Jose State University

2011-08-25T18:46:00.002-04:00

social entrepreneur, activist, writer/editorAPRIL R. SILVER Founder and President, AKILA WORKSONGS, Inc. Will give the keynote addressto incoming freshman at SAN JOSE STATEUNIVERSITY THIS MONDAYAUGUST 29,201112 - 2pmMartin Luther King LibraryOne Washington Square San Jose, CA 95192TOPIC: "Redefining Success: Essential Tools for Extraordinary Student Living." EVENT SPONSORS: SEIU Local 521,

"Psychology Today: Stop Publishing Racist & Sexist Articles" (from Change.org)

2011-05-19T15:33:00.004-04:00

The following is from Change.org. Go to this link to SIGN THE PETITION. On May 15, 2011, Psychology Today contributor, Satoshi Kanazawa posted an article entitled "Why Are Black Women Less Physically Attractive Than Other Women?" (now removed from their website, but reblogged here). We demand that the Psychology Today editorial board publicly account for how and why this racist and sexist

“Sing Your Song”: Harry Belafonte on Art & Politics, Civil Rights & His Critique of President Obama

2011-05-16T19:30:00.004-04:00

A Family Watches "Freedom Riders" by Stanley Nelson

2011-05-16T08:33:00.000-04:00

I went to my brother and sister-in-law's home in Virginia two weeks ago for Mother's Day. Jenny B. Silver had wished for an extended Mother's Day weekend with her children so we obliged. It was a sweet weekend of enjoying each other's company and playing with Hoshi (my brother and sister-in-law's dog). Saturday, we took Ms. Silver shopping where she picked the gifts of her choice. That

Get Rid of "Communication Debt"

2011-04-25T09:42:00.001-04:00

Get out of what I call "communication debt." If you owe someone a return phone call or email, set aside time (every day if you have to) to get ride of those debts. Even if your reply email is to say "It's going to take a little extra time for me to get back to you. I'm unusually busy right now..." then do that. And be sure to connect when things slow down (in other others, mean what you say).

Find Your Own "Unique" (Why I Don't Use The Word "Brand")

2011-04-10T15:18:00.007-04:00

Words are not simple. Maya Angelou said they are things. They are absorbed by people, they fill up rooms, they settle on furniture maybe…like dust. Further, I believe that words carry spirits and intentions. They are magic in that they have the ability to transform, be it for creative or destructive purposes. So as the daughter of ancestors who were enslaved Africans and as one who is a public

I'm Speaking Here > "Remixed and Remastered: Defining and Distributing the Black Image in the Era of Globalization"

2011-04-04T10:29:00.005-04:00

This Saturday (April 9, 2011), I will be speaking at the Remixed and Remastered: Defining and Distributing The Black Image in the Era of Globalization conference at the New School in New York City. The panel I'm on is entitled “Developing Brand Identity and Audience with Social Media.” It's from 2:30-4pm. A glance at just some of the other participants will reveal author and cultural critic

Rev. Al Sharpton and April R. Silver Endorse Rhymefest for Alderman

2011-03-28T20:25:00.008-04:00

"We are asking them to get involved and give back. Che is doing that. I am here today because I support Che "Rhymefest" Smith. If he was a negative force, I would not be here today.” ~ Rev. Al Sharpton "Hip hop culture at its best teaches us love of self, love of family, and love of community. It teaches us to be pro-active and to ignite positive change. Che "Rhymefest" Smith's run for

I Host a Screening of "I Will Follow" THIS SATURDAY

2011-03-18T10:29:00.004-04:00

I am happy to make this special announcement about the film "I Will Follow" and the fact that I'm hosting a screening THIS SATURDAY in New York City at 6pm (all details below). Shout out to ImageNation for doing great work and for helping to market the hell out of this indie film :-) -- April R. Silver of AKILA WORKSONGS, Inc. to Will Host a Screening of the Film I WILL FOLLOW March 19, 2011 (

Walter Mosley, A Discussion, Reanding & Book Signing (Free in Brooklyn)

2011-03-12T15:06:00.007-05:00

An Afternoon with Walter Mosley Discussion, Reading and Book Signing Sunday, March 20, 20111:30 p.m. Dweck Center at the Brooklyn Public Library 10 Grand Army Plaza Brooklyn, NY 11228 FREE & OPEN to the public. Best-selling author Walter Mosley, creator of the Easy Rawlins mystery series, and the novels Walkin’ the Dog; Always Outnumbered, Always Outgunned; The Man in My Basement; and the

April R. Silver Waives Speaking Fees

2011-03-10T18:33:00.026-05:00

Social Entrepreneur • Activist • Writer/Editor APRIL R. SILVER Waives Honorarium through April 3, 2011 * For Women's History Month and beyond, social entrepreneur, activist, and writer/editor April R. Silver announces that she will waive her speaking fee for select engagements, regardless of location, through April 3, 2011. Silver is a respected entrepreneur and activist who has been

Technology/Facebook at its Worst!

2011-03-02T06:08:00.002-05:00

I missed this one folks. Here's yet another example of why you should use social media sites, like Facebook, as your back up presence on the Internet. If being recognized in the public arena is an objective of yours, then invest your resources into developing and growing your own email list. Check this from The LA Times. -------- Facebook bug targets and shuts down profiles of female usersA

Imhotep Gary Byrd Honored as Black Media Legend

2011-02-28T17:00:00.001-05:00

From Put On BLAST During the final hours of Black History Month, I send you this wonderful announcement about Imhotep Gary Byrd. I'm thrilled to share the news that he was honored earlier this month by McDonald's. I'm even more excited to share a few things about this legendary person that you just might not have known. Please read the email and the attached bio below..and share it with

4 Deaths, 11 Days: In Memoriam...

2011-02-06T11:18:00.001-05:00

In memoriam: I'm praying for the souls of my cousin Bubba (from Mattie Mabry's side of my family); of the grandmother of Lumumba Bandele, of the mother of Wm. Jelani Cobb, and of the grandmother of Marcella Runell Hall...all who passed between January 23 and Feb. 2, 2011 (an 11 day stretch). That's alot. Something to hold from Kahlil Gibran from The Prophet, with the hope that somewhere in these

Quote of the Week: Rumi

2011-01-27T06:41:00.002-05:00

"Let the beauty of what you love be what you do."Rumi Thanks to Mo Beasley for introducing me to Rumi.

My Trip to Cannes with Sonnyboy (Part 4)

2011-01-26T00:00:00.002-05:00

My Trip to Cannes with Sonnyboy (Part 3)

2011-01-24T00:00:00.003-05:00

My Trip to Cannes with Sonnyboy (Part 2)

2011-01-23T00:01:00.000-05:00

My Trip to Cannes with Sonnyboy (Part 1)

2011-01-23T00:00:00.036-05:00

Quote of the Week (from The Wiz)

2011-01-21T09:16:00.001-05:00

"...and the world has got no shame..."

Quote of the Week: Immortalize Yourself

2011-01-11T21:16:00.003-05:00

"We only live once. Since we are given the gift of life it should be our persistent endeavor to immortalize ourselves. No matter what field of endeavor we choose." ~ Michael Jackson.

When Spirit Leads...

2011-01-11T08:43:00.015-05:00

Right after the Haiti earthquakes, Kevin Powell and I organized several Help Haiti events and this one in particular was early April 2010. As a co-organizer of the community forum, I was supposed to arrive early to help set up. I was running late and wasn't very happy about that. I hustled from the train station to the Brooklyn Historical Society where the event was being held and for no reason

My Stuff on Trial (Or: The Joy of Letting Go)

2011-01-08T15:09:00.015-05:00

What I learned coming into 2011: I have separation anxiety about everything! Last month, my brother and sister-in-law visited for a weekend, right before Christmas. Omar barely took two steps into my apartment (which he hasn't been in since 2004) and said, "Yeah, you have to get rid of some of this stuff. You're a hoarder." I was mortified. Prior to his arrival, I had asked him to come prepared

Quote of the Week: Sekou Sundiata

2011-01-04T23:56:00.009-05:00

"Good things come to those who wait. Better things comes to those who don't." ~ Sekou Sundiata

Just Answer the Question

2010-12-16T14:32:00.007-05:00

If someone asks you "How long will it take for you to get here?" and your reply is "Well, I have to stop by the store and then go pick up something from Karima's house, so I should be to you by 6 or later," then this article is for you. If the request is "Let's pick a day to do lunch. What day works for you?" and you respond with "I have meetings on Tuesday and Wednesday. Next week is hectic,"

Quote of the Week: James Baldwin

2010-12-15T13:19:00.003-05:00

It is very nearly impossible... to become an educated person in a country so distrustful of the independent mind. James A. Baldwin

When You Feel Insufficient

2010-06-08T09:56:00.004-04:00

What do you do when everything you offer seems insufficient; when you have made your point and you are STILL mis-understood; when you have decided to make improvements in your life and nothing seems shifts for the better; when none of your burdens are light and you just need some help? What do you do?? Try this and see if it helps:Be still, get quiet. Relax your shoulders and breathe. Slowly. Cry

"I Love You, Nado" (revised and with a picture)

2010-04-24T12:20:00.007-04:00