Latest Posts | By Abbe Sparks
5 years ago
Honoring Front-Line Workers for World Humanitarian Day
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Advocacy
Honoring real life heroes on World Humanitarian Day 2020
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5 years ago
Celebrating the Centennial of Women’s Suffrage
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Advocacy
The nation is celebrating the Centennial of Women's Suffrage and the women's right to vote in countless ways. Webinars, blogs, podcasts, zoom panels, and virtual events are the new norm for all planned festivities as we continue to pivot to all things virtual due to the pandemic. You Can't Keep A Good Women or a [...]
5 years ago
Aretha Franklin on Respect for Human Rights: Quote of the Week
Legendary singer and activist Aretha Franklin was a champion of music, culture, civil rights, human rights, the women's movement and so much more. Her words on respect and human rights are our Quote of the Week in honor of the two year anniversary of her death in 2018. Portrait of Aretha Franklin by Andy Warhol [...]
5 years ago
Can a Smile Soothe a Nation’s Angst?
Can a smile soothe the nation's angst on social issues? Our Quote of the Week is from the late actress and comedienne Phyllis Diller ((July 17, 1917 – August 20, 2012). The escalating gun violence, looting and bent-up anger around the country desperately needs an outlet. Laughter and a smile is a good place to [...]
5 years ago
CBD Day Gains Momentum with 3rd Year Anniversary
National CBD Day gains momentum as it celebrates its 3rd year anniversary on Saturday, August 8th. The annual Day was founded by cbdMD in 2018 to educate consumers on the overarching uses of cannabidiol. There are lots of ways to honor the Day, from recipe offerings and product sales to social media and word of [...]
5 years ago
Birthday Shout Out to 2 Music Legends in 90-Something Prime
This week calls for birthday shout outs to two music legends in their 90-something prime still singing and strumming for us. Legendary crooner Tony Bennett turns 94, and the first lady of children's music Ella Jenkins wil be 96. Both artists still share their beautiful music, and both, still deserve our accolades. ELLA JENKINS Ninety-six-year-old [...]
5 years ago
Help Make Independent Venues New York Tough, Save Our Stages!
Help make our independent venues New York Tough and Save Our Stages! The New York Independent Venue Association (NIVA) in affiliation with the newly-formed National Independent Venue Association is counting on the public to help #SaveOurStages. August 4th marks the official Day of Action, where music lovers, constituents and the communities can support two newly-introduced [...]
5 years ago
August Ignites Awareness for Youth, Immunizations, Humanitarians
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Advocacy
August ignites awareness for youth, immunizations, humanitarians and back to school initiatives. The dog days of summer send in the clowns for International Clown Week and celebrate young people and their contributions to the world on International Youth Day. Here’s what you need to know for August. NATIONAL IMMUNIZATION MONTH - Every August, the National [...]
5 years ago
Virtual Concerts for a Cause Take Main Stage
Virtual concerts for a cause continue to answer the call on how to best raise awareness and funds during these unprecedented times. The latest music event: The UNODC Concert takes the main stage today with funds benefiting the cause to end human trafficking. Appropriately scheduled on World Day Against Human Trafficking in Persons - July [...]
5 years ago
Salute World Day to End Human Trafficking in Persons
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Advocacy
Today is World Day to End Human Trafficking in Persons and the messages turn solely digital. Events commemorating the day will be seen via livestream and the important campaign messages will take to the social networks. First Responders Are Essential to the Fight to End Human Trafficking The 2020 Theme is "Committed to the Cause: [...]
5 years ago
Emmy® Awards Nominations Goes Virtual, Will the Show?
The 72nd Annual Emmy Awards nominations announcement goes virtual, will the show? Highlights of nominees.
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5 years ago
Lollapalooza Pivots Virtually for 2020 Music Festival
Lollapalooza pivots virtually for 2020 music festival via YouTube exclusive broadcast with live music and awareness for social issues
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5 years ago
Hot Diggity Dog: Best Five Occasions to Eat a Hot Dog
In honor of National Hot Dog Day, here are the best five occasions to eat the summertime favorite food during a pandemic at a social distance, even in stay-at–home and quarantine mode.
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5 years ago
Mask Up Saying is all the Rage: Quote of the Week
Mask Up Saying is all the rage. The two word message is as simple as its design. Mask Up awareness campaigns are cropping up around the country. The new celebrity campaign “Mask Up America” speaks to the entire country.
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5 years ago
Mandela Day Sparks Global Call to Action
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Advocacy
Nelson Mandela Day sparks a global call to action to inspire change. The global pandemic and the national lockdown have heightened decades of inequality and created a resurgence in the Black Lives Matter movement. The new era holds much promise for positive change. The 10th annual Nelson Mandela International Day will address this resurgence in [...]
5 years ago
Obie Awards Show Goes On via Livestream from Home!
The coveted Obie Awards show goes on via livestream from home on Tuesday night, July 14th. The prerecorded ceremony was postponed for a moment of reflection in the wake of nationwide calls to end racial inequalities. Originally slated for May 18th from Terminal 5 in New York City, organizers of the Obies had to scramble [...]
5 years ago
July Sparks Celebrations for Independence Days, Human Rights, Reggae +
July Sparks celebrations for Independence Days in countries of Canada, United States of America and France; Reggae Day in Jamaica and Nelson Mandela Day worldwide. It’s usually the month of Fireworks, Parades, Music, Festivals and Picnics. Many of these events are going virtual due to the global pandemic. Still plenty to be happy about and [...]
5 years ago
Coming Together to Let Freedom Ring: Juneteenth 2020
America is coming together to let freedom ring for JUNETEENTH 2020 with an exclamation point! The Coronavirus has forced all celebratory events to pivot virtually. However, as the nation begins to reopen state by state and region by region – you can count on outdoor marches, protests and a few festivities. Corporate America is rising [...]
5 years ago
Abe Lincoln on Freedom: Socially Sparked Quote of the Week
Abraham Lincoln on Freedom is the Socially Sparked Quote of the Week.
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5 years ago
Rebirth of the Civil Rights Movement in 2020
The rebirth of the civil rights movement has found its unified spark in the wake of the tragic and brutal killing of George Floyd. The country and the world are rising up as one voice in an unprecedented manner in these unprecedented times. New York City Protest. Photo credit: Jacquelyn Sparks In the week since George [...]