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“Research is formalized curiosity. It is poking and prying with a purpose.”--Zora Neale Hurston

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This blog has become part archive, part check-in, and part accountability tool--a place to reflect on my teaching, public humanities work, and sore runner legs.
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Start Strong....
Here's a running list to help students start every semester strong. University students celebrate during the commencement ceremony on campus. (Lincoln University via Getty Images) This post is dedicated to students. I recently heard from someone who said our class resources were helpful-in-the-moment, but they could not remember our tips and strategies. Time Management/ Time Realism: This section will help you play, by exposing the the invisible labor that makes being a stude
sylveahollis
Jan 132 min read


2024-2025 Academic Year in Review
"Since time is the one immaterial object which we cannot influence - neither speed up nor slow down, add to nor diminish - it is an...
sylveahollis
Jun 17, 20255 min read


Spring 2025
Classes Please share these flyers with anyone in the DMV you think would be interested in taking my courses in African History, African...
sylveahollis
Nov 8, 20242 min read


Back to School ...
Gratitude List: I am grateful that Maryland is one of the thirteen states that passed family and medical leave laws. My spring semester...
sylveahollis
Aug 28, 20241 min read


Ending the 23'-24' Academic Year
This year I received Montgomery College's Equity Award. I am grateful to Montgomery College and the whole Office of Equity and Inclusion...
sylveahollis
May 3, 20243 min read


Changing My Relationship with Running after Losing a Running Partner
I ran my first marathon on February 13, 2022. It was the Mercedes Marathon in my hometown, Birmingham. I was so excited on the run that I...
sylveahollis
Apr 20, 20242 min read


Celebrating Dad's Life
My father died on February 9, 2024. Before I got the call about his passing, I went for an early morning run. It was still dark. I saw...
sylveahollis
Mar 20, 20241 min read


Publication Announcements:
Last year taught me to embrace a practice of writing in far briefer, but more consistent spurts. It taught me to claim time very early in...
sylveahollis
Feb 3, 20243 min read


Happy New Year!
Here's a few teaching strategies that helped over the last year: Modeling Reading Some students have a difficult time reading academic...
sylveahollis
Jan 11, 20243 min read


Spring 24 Classes.....
Please share these flyers with anyone in the DMV you think would be interested in taking my courses in African History, African American...
sylveahollis
Nov 14, 20231 min read


When will AI find us?: Black Archives and Humanity
Here's a list of resources I compiled for other lay people who are interested in ethical conversations about Artificial Intelligence. This will be a space for sharing future resources as well. Videos: AI can do your homework. Now what? I Vox (17:02) Training AI takes heavy toll on Kenyans working for $2 an hour | 60 Minutes (13:34) How Kids Can Hack For Good With Tennisha Martin | Cybersecurity & AI For Young Innovators (32:23) Black Girls Hack-SquadCon 2023 Unveiling the Se
sylveahollis
Oct 26, 20233 min read


Closing out Summer II...Opening Day of Fall23'
Image Credit: Media from Wix Today is the first day of the fall semester and I'm wrapping up grading papers from my survey course in...
sylveahollis
Aug 21, 20236 min read


Talking AI& Black Archives at Squadcon...
I presented the following talk at Black Girls Hack's Squadcon: "When will AI find us?: Black Archives & Narratives of Humanity This talk...
sylveahollis
Aug 17, 20232 min read


Gardarev Residency
I recently was awarded a residency with The Gardarev Center. I am working on a literary portrait, called "Two Brownsvilles." My mother...
sylveahollis
Jul 30, 20231 min read


Events from Late Spring /Early Summer
Digital Storytelling I enrolled in another Digital Storytelling workshop with Montgomery College's ELITE Faculty. The program ran for the...
sylveahollis
Jul 20, 20234 min read


Midterm Season....
I did a new thing this semester. New Policy Regarding Late Work [posted in syllabus and on course website]: "You do not have to ask...
sylveahollis
Mar 31, 20234 min read


Spring 2023
Syllabi This Semester: HIST 235 African American History I [In-Person, Rockville] HIST 236 African American History II [In-Person,...
sylveahollis
Feb 28, 20233 min read


Winter Break
My 2022 ended with a constellation of gratitude. Most of it was personal, but I also have a lot to be thankful for, professionally. See a...
sylveahollis
Jan 18, 20232 min read


Public History Work: Remembering Slavery in the North
In October I was invited to participate in two events that focused on the lived experiences of enslaved folk in the North. Panel Chair...
sylveahollis
Nov 1, 20222 min read


Interdisciplinary Merits of Primary Source Labs in Humanities
ASNLH 20th anniversary planning committee, 1936: Courtesy Chicago Public Library Tuesday, October 25, 2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m....
sylveahollis
Oct 25, 20226 min read
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