415:, Abrams called out the company's inaction on Twitter: âWhy has @WarnerMediaGrp failed to release the finding of the investigation into your employeeâs history of alleged criminal sexual violence?â and âIs Mr. Calloway still a paid employee of your television division?â Calloway was reportedly let go from âEXTRAâ after an internal investigation was executed as a result of Abramsâ continued efforts to have the company address the reporting of her and several other women's alleged sexual assaults. In a statement following Callowayâs dismissal, Abrams said: âHad I not tweeted about Mr. Stankey, I doubt Warner Bros. would have taken the initiative to let my lawyer know the outcome of the investigation. It should not be incumbent upon survivors to force companies to do the right thing.â
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Redefining HERstory national campus social action program. The purpose of the campaign was to challenge popular portrayals of violent and hyper-sexualized stereotypes of women of color in the media, with the goal of reducing the cultural acceptance of gender-based violence in the Black community. Their "Redefining HERstory Media
Advocacy Toolkit" is promoted and relied on by
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entertainment event planning and marketing industry. She often paired celebrities with causes but found herself increasingly interested in working directly with survivors of gender violence. This inspired Abrams to begin volunteering in domestic violence shelters. Eventually, Abrams' volunteerism spurred her to become a full-time activist and advocate.
150:(NABJ) award-winning writer. Abrams is a sought after speaker on sexual assault, domestic violence, race, and depictions of women of color in the media and has spoken at over 300 organizations and universities around the United States. She regularly provides television commentary on gender violence and has been profiled in numerous magazines, including
25:
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Abrams was born in Maui, Hawaii. The father listed on her birth certificate is a white former U.S. Army serviceman and her biological mother is a Hong Konger of Han
Chinese descent. At age 14, Abrams learned that the man she called her father was not genetically related to her and that her biological
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as part of the âGet
Engagedâ campaign to promote a more fair and balanced depiction of African Americans in the media (cite). âGet Engagedâ was rolled out in 8-cities and relied upon the Truth In Reality's Media Advocacy Toolkit as the framework for a series of facilitated reality television watch
209:
In her late teens and early twenties, Abrams worked as a catalog fashion model and was represented by Page Parkes Models' Rep in Miami Beach, FL, and Dallas, TX, as well as
Riccardo Gay in Milan, Italy where she primarily did runway work. Following her modeling career, Abrams began working in the
932:"CEO John Stankey's "action oriented" approach doesn't include firing men on @WarnerMediaGrp television shows accused of raping/sexually assaulting at least a dozen women and is ALSO currently under investigation for rape in two different cities. But go awf, @Variety đ https://t.co/Tg4s3TKSb4"
305:
Abrams founded the media advocacy organization Truth In
Reality in 2012 to challenge the racially stereotypical media messaging of Black women and girls in an effort to reduce the cultural acceptance of gender-based violence in the Black community. Truth In Reality created and executed the
196:
Abrams is a survivor of sexual assault and domestic violence, which prompted her to begin volunteering in domestic violence shelters beginning in the mid-2000s. Since 2007, her work has been primarily focused on gender violence awareness and prevention in the Black community.
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Calloway has also denied Abramsâ allegations, although he was arrested and charged for the alleged assault. Callowayâs case was dismissed on procedural grounds when a judge ruled that the
Brooklyn District Attorney's Office had violated his right to a fair and speedy trial.
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father was Black and an Air
America pilot. Her early experiences with race and identity play a significant role in her intersectional approach to her work on these subjects and the impact racism has on the overrepresented number of Black female victims of gender-violence.
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praised Abrams for her use of âsocial media to protest the narrative that Black womenâs realities can be defined by dysfunctional entertainmentâ, and she has served on the Board of
Directors for two of the nationâs largest victim services nonprofit organizations,
218:
In 2007, Abrams published her first book, the self-help tome "No More Drama: Nine Simple Steps to
Transforming a Breakdown into a Breakthrough", which describes how one can transform personal breakdowns into breakthroughs. In 2016, her second book entitled
381:. âOn The Recordâ focuses on the challenges Black women face when reporting sexual violence, and centers on the numerous allegations of rape and assault committed by Simmons. The film received multiple standing ovations when it premiered at the
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magazine essay "Passing
Strangely", which detailed her experience of learning her true racial identity won the NABJ Salute to Excellence Award in the Commentary/Essay Category as part of the magazine's "Multiracial in America" package.
405:, EXTRAâs parent company, announced it had suspended Calloway in February 2019. The company cited âadditional allegations brought to our attention,â after it had expanded its initial inquiries following Abramsâ story in
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stated âHer pain pulses on the page, and at the core of her unfolding is an undying hope that the truth of all that she is will be loved and accepted. If that is Abramsâs goal, then
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Abrams is the mother of two adult children. She has been open with her early struggles with alcoholism and has not had a drink since November 1994. She is also a member of the
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said: âAbrams ultimately finds a way to claim and hold onto her own sacredness and encourage others to embark on the journey that leads them to embrace their own.â
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In response to Abramsâs assault allegations, Simmons has asserted his innocence, although a rape kit was done at the time of the assault. Abrams, a former
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as a part of its work to educate media consumers about the correlation between on-screen and real-world violence committed against Black women and girls.
711:"Civil Unrest Unites Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, American Advertising Federation and Truth in Reality to Examine the Images of People of Color in the Media"
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147:
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227:/Karen Hunter Publishing. The memoir recounted Abramsâ journey to discover and embrace herself in a family that sought to deny her Black heritage.
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1003:"I've been in recovery since 1994 & my sister passed from a heroin overdose a four years later. I still struggle with survivor guilt"
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Truth in Reality founder Sil Lai Abrams announces the launch of the Redefining HERstory campaign. Retrieved November 19, 2017, from
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811:"Russell Simmons Accuser on Oprah's Withdrawal from 'On the Record': "It Had Nothing to do with Our Veracity" â Sundance Studio"
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373:, a documentary directed by filmmakers Kirby Dick and Amy Ziering, known for their acclaimed films on sexual assault, such as
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Since May 2017, Abrams has been on sabbatical from Truth In Reality following her acceptance as a McBride Scholar at
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898:"More Women Come Forward to Accuse 'Extra' and Former '106 & Park' Host A.J. Calloway of Sexual Assault"
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771:"Russell Simmons, an 'Extra' Host and NBC News: A Sexual Assault Accuser's Story of Pain and Frustration"
751:"Russell Simmons, an 'Extra' Host and NBC News: A Sexual Assault Accuser's Story of Pain and Frustration"
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published an article about Abrams concerning the treatment of her allegations of rape by music mogul
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as one of their 2016 books of the year, and praised as a âsearingly honest coming-of-age memoirâ by
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982:"Warner Bros. Severs Ties with 'Extra' Host A.J. Calloway After Investigation over Assault Claims"
411:
374:
174:
683:"#RedefiningHERstory: Domestic Violence Activist Sil Lai Abrams Kicks off National College Tour"
659:
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http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/H1000324405/LitRC?u=roch82189&sid=LitRC&xid=e043d5fb
353:, which was originally scheduled to publish her story in January 2018 during the height of the
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864:"On the Record review: Russell Simmons accusers' documentary should be required viewing"
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Sil Lai Abrams. (2017). In Contemporary Authors Online. Detroit: Gale. Retrieved from
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878:"HBO Max Unveils Trailer for Russell Simmons Sexual Assault Doc 'On the Record'"
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No More Drama: Nine Simple Steps to Transforming a Breakdown into a Breakthrough
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41:
The references used may be made clearer with a different or consistent style of
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After an initial investigation that did not result in action against Calloway,
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in January 2020. The critically acclaimed documentary is being distributed by
1072:"In 'Black Lotus,' Author Sil Lai Abrams Explores Search For Racial Identity"
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913:"'Extra' Host A.J. Calloway Suspended Following Sexual Assault Allegations"
962:"Six Women Accuse Extra Host A.J. Calloway of Sexual Assault, Misconduct"
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409:. When WarnerMedia CEO John Stankey was featured in a cover story for
1094:"'Black Lotus': One woman's search for racial identity after passing"
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427:. She graduated from Bryn Mawr College with honors on May 29, 2021.
146:; born July 13, 1970) is a domestic violence awareness activist and
139:
791:"Author Sil Lai Abrams claims NBC buried her rape allegation story"
825:"In on the Record, Accusers Make the Case Against Russell Simmons"
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647:"Women's Review of Books 2017 | Wellesley Centers for Women"
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in 1994 and sexual assault by former âEXTRAâ television co-host
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357:, suppressed her story under pressure from Simmons' attorneys.
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https://www.nabj.org/general/custom.asp?page=STEMAGAZINE2012
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Abrams, is the former relationship expert for EBONY.com and
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and a âpage-turningâ book that âmemoir fans will devourâ by
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Sil Lai Abrams. (n.d.). Retrieved November 19, 2017, from
527:"Domestic Abuse Takes Center Stage at Grammys - CNN Video"
329:, where she is studying sociology and political science.
1038:"I'm so proud of my friend đđ https://t.co/CV3xKQdBEf"
846:"Russell Simmons Documentary Premieres Amid Controversy"
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http://www.greatblackspeakers.com/author/sillaiabrams/
567:"Activist says NBC buried her rape allegation story"
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and will stream on the new network on May 27, 2020.
619:"Black Lotus: A Woman's Search for Racial Identity"
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443:Black Lotus: A Woman's Search for Racial Identity
221:Black Lotus: A Woman's Search for Racial Identity
547:"NFL appoints all-woman panel to oversee policy"
1001:Sil Lai Abrams AKA Alecto (April 16, 2017).
445:(2016, Gallery Books/Karen Hunter Publishing)
8:
930:Sil Lai Abrams AKA Alecto (July 30, 2019).
313:Truth In Reality worked in partnership with
1036:A Shady Dame From Seville (May 30, 2021).
487:"Speak Easy Ohiou - Entertainment Magazine"
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148:National Association of Black Journalists
65:Learn how and when to remove this message
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1013:from the original on December 8, 2019
844:Sperling, Nicole (January 26, 2020).
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1174:American people of Hong Kong descent
128:Domestic violence awareness activism
911:Zaveri, Mihir (February 10, 2019).
605:"BLACK LOTUS | Kirkus Reviews"
607:– via www.kirkusreviews.com.
456:National Domestic Violence Hotline
369:employee, is a primary subject in
191:National Domestic Violence Hotline
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1048:from the original on June 2, 2021
349:in 2006. The story addressed how
1159:Anti-domestic violence activists
272:, and a contributing writer for
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727:. April 6, 2015. Archived from
319:American Advertising Federation
439:(2007, Sepia Press Publishing)
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725:"#RealityTVCheck Watch Party"
633:"Los Angeles Review of Books"
16:American activist (born 1970)
1164:Domestic violence awareness
259:Wellesley Centers for Women
250:Los Angeles Review of Books
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333:Sexual assault allegations
263:Womenâs Review of Books
1116:"NPR's Book Concierge"
987:The Hollywood Reporter
883:The Hollywood Reporter
776:The Hollywood Reporter
756:The Hollywood Reporter
407:The Hollywood Reporter
383:Sundance Film Festival
339:The Hollywood Reporter
290:The Hollywood Reporter
153:The Hollywood Reporter
697:"Educating the media"
513:"Take Back the Night"
970:. February 13, 2019.
393:Calloway allegations
866:. February 7, 2020.
833:. January 28, 2020.
813:. January 27, 2020.
799:. October 22, 2019.
731:on January 15, 2020
685:. October 25, 2014.
361:Simmons allegations
257:is a triumph.â The
917:The New York Times
850:The New York Times
635:. August 31, 2016.
375:The Hunting Ground
337:On June 28, 2018,
886:. April 21, 2020.
796:Independent.co.uk
493:on August 6, 2020
379:The Invisible War
327:Bryn Mawr College
223:was published by
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101:(age 54)
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255:Black Lotus
229:Black Lotus
1138:Categories
1122:January 4,
1100:January 4,
1096:. NBC News
1078:January 4,
462:References
201:Early life
117:Occupation
95:1970-07-13
55:March 2021
47:footnoting
735:April 20,
322:parties.
1052:June 11,
1046:Archived
1017:June 11,
1011:Archived
942:June 11,
450:See also
317:and the
308:UN Women
282:HuffPost
274:The Grio
189:and the
181:The Root
43:citation
1058:Twitter
1023:Twitter
948:Twitter
412:Variety
387:HBO Max
367:Def Jam
175:ESSENCE
165:Redbook
1074:. WBUR
247:. The
172:, and
120:Writer
110:Hawaii
1118:. NPR
1042:Tweet
1007:Tweet
936:Tweet
552:MSNBC
294:EBONY
286:Bitch
159:EBONY
144:Baber
1124:2018
1102:2018
1080:2018
1054:2021
1019:2021
944:2021
737:2020
499:2019
377:and
106:Maui
89:Born
45:and
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1009:).
532:CNN
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