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The Washington Informer

The Washington Informer

Black News, Commentary and Culture | The Washington Informer

Author Archives: Brenda C. Siler

Brenda Siler is an award-winning journalist and public relations strategist. Her communications career began in college as an advertising copywriter, a news reporter, public affairs producer/host and a jazz program producer/host. After college, she continued producing and hosting jazz programs for ten years.

Currently a contributing writer for the Washington Informer, Siler writes about STEM, HBCUs, the arts, entertainment, Washington, DC area dining. She also has written articles and chapters for public relations industry trade publications, including PRNews, Ragan Report, and Inside Organizational Communications.

Siler has led national, regional, and local communications departments in Atlanta and Washington, DC. She has worked at AARP, the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, the American Red Cross, United Way, and UNCF-the United Negro College Fund. At UNCF, she oversaw the rebranding of America’s largest minority scholarship fund, retaining its iconic tagline, “A mind is a terrible thing to waste.”

Siler is a lifetime member of the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC), a global professional association with members in 80 countries. She was the first person of color to serve as chairperson for the IABC international executive board. In 2017, she received the IABC Fellow designation recognizing her achievements in global organizational communications.

Siler is a native Washingtonian and an alumna of Spelman College. She lives in Silver Spring, Maryland.

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"The Upstairs Department" continues at Signature Theatre in Alexandria through June 12 and explores healing and spirituality. Cast members include (from left) Annie Grove (Colleen); Joy Jones (Shiloh) and Zach Livingston (Luke). (Photo courtesy of Christopher Mueller)
Posted inLifestyle

What’s Up in ‘The Upstairs Department’?

by Brenda C. Siler May 18, 2022May 18, 2022

“No one ever dies” is a telling statement from the latest Signature Theatre production, “The Upstairs Department,” which continues through June 12.

Carol Burnett received the Sondheim Award for seven decades of entertaining audiences. Signature Theatre presented the award on May 16 at Capital One Hall. (Courtesy of Signature Theatre)
Posted inLifestyle

Fans Enjoy Festive Evening Honoring Carol Burnett

by Brenda C. Siler May 18, 2022May 18, 2022
Posted inLifestyle

Once a Teacher, Always a Teacher

by Brenda C. Siler May 18, 2022May 18, 2022
Drummer Keith Killgo, head of Fine Arts at Friendship Prep Tech Academy in southeast D.C. and an original member of The Blackbyrds, has his student Talaian Ball perform impromptu during class on April 20. (Ja'Mon Jackson/The Washington Informer)
Posted inLifestyle

Keith Killgo, Original Member of The Blackbyrds, Brings Road Lessons to the Classroom

by Brenda C. Siler May 11, 2022May 18, 2022
Strathmore Artistic Director/Vice President of Programming Joi Brown (right) and Woolly Mammoth's Artistic Director Maria Manuela Goyanes lead a session during orientation for participants in the 2022 Arts and Social Justice Fellows. Strathmore and Woolly Mammoth created the initiative. Photo was taken at Strathmore. (Courtesy of Jim Saah)
Posted inLifestyle

Strathmore and Woolly Mammoth Mentor Student Creative Projects

by Brenda C. Siler May 11, 2022May 12, 2022
"it's not a trip it's a journey" is a play about four female friends on a cross country trip of self-discovery. The production continues at Round House Theatre through May 8. Cast members include: Dezi Bing (Willie), Erin Margaret Pettigrew (June), Afua Busia (Rain) and Cristina Pitter (Frankie). (Photo courtesy Margot Schulman Photography)
Posted inLifestyle

‘It’s Not a Trip It’s a Journey’ Shares a Saga of Self-Discovery

by Brenda C. Siler April 29, 2022April 29, 2022
The full ensemble of "Parable of the Sower," an opera based on Octavia Butler's novel, with co-composer and co-librettist Toshi Reagon (center stage) is seen here. The production will be presented at the Strathmore in North Bethesda, Maryland, on April 28-29. (Courtesy of Shana Gerber)
Posted inLifestyle

Octavia Butler’s ‘Parable of the Sower’ to Debut at the Strathmore

by Brenda C. Siler April 26, 2022April 26, 2022
Seated below the podium is U.S. Secretary of Education Dr. Miguel Cardona, who played bongos at a jazz performance and education information program on April 19. The event was hosted by the U.S. Department of Education in collaboration with the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz. (Brenda C. Siler/The Washington Informer)
Posted inLifestyle

High School Musicians Give Their Own Lesson in Jazz

by Brenda C. Siler April 26, 2022April 26, 2022
Nearly $1 million in grants were announced by Maurine Knighton, program director for the arts at the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation (DDCF). The funds have been distributed to several jazz creatives for innovative projects to appeal to diverse audiences. (Courtesy of DDCFF)
Posted inLifestyle

Collaborative Jazz Projects Receive Funding

by Brenda C. Siler April 20, 2022April 21, 2022
Talking to the audience about their process are pianists, composers and producers Robert Glasper and Jason Moran performed a dual piano concert at the Kennedy Center on April 16, celebrating Jazz Appreciation Month. (Courtesy of Jati Lindsay)
Posted inLifestyle

Robert Glasper and Jason Moran Create a Piano Lounge

by Brenda C. Siler April 18, 2022April 20, 2022

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