Skip to main content

Sylvia D. Beverly literary papers

 Collection
Identifier: MS2282

Scope and Contents

This collection contains correspondence, poems, books, a cd, dvds, speeches, photographs, and flyers related to the literary life of Sylvia Dianne Beverly, also known as Ladi Di. The material dates from 1962-2018.

Dates

  • Creation: 1962-2018
  • Creation: Majority of material found within 2000 - 2018

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

Some material may be copyrighted or restricted. It is the patron's obligation to determine and satisfy copyright or other case restrictions when publishing or otherwise distributing materials found in the collections.

Biographical note

Sylvia Dianne Beverly has been presenting her poetry in the Washington D.C. area for more than 30 years. She often writes and presents under the name Ladi Di. Ms. Beverly is the proud author of "Forever In Your Eyes," poems. Main topics of her poetry include love, appreciation, and inspiration. Ms. Beverly has been a proud student of Do The Write Thing publishing workshop, under the direction of Kwame Alexander. She has presented poetry around the Metropolitan Area including locations such as the National Zoo, the Smithsonian National Museum of African Art, the Smithsonian National Museum of History, and the Hishorn Museum as well as in other states, the Lincoln Theater, Washington, D.C., and at the Lewisham Theater in Brixton, London, England.

Ms. Beverly is a founding member of “Collective Voices” (a Washington, D.C. based ensemble of poets and organizers of Annual Poetry Extravaganza, celebrating the Life and Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.). “Collective Voices” performed poetry as part of “In the Spirit” for the Smithsonian, Anacostia Museum and Center for African American History and Culture, Summer 1999. During the 2005 National Poetry Month Ladi Di received for Collective Voices one of the first “NUSPA 2005” (National Underground Spoken Word Poetry Awards) trophies recognizing their Annual MLK Poetry Extravaganza.

Ms. Beverly founded the youth poetry group “Girls and Boys with Hearts” and she directs a poetry workshop at the Marwood Senior Apartments, Woodside Village Apartments, and Harmony Hall Regional Center. She was honored to read for D.C. Poet Laureate Dolores Kendrick in her “Poets in Progress” program, Folger Shakespeare Library, December 2003, January 2005 and January 2006.

You may hear Ms. Beverly on WPFW FM radio with Bro. Ah and the Jazz Collectors. Ladi Di is a member of the Marion P. Hymes drama club and is presently working on three new books. Ms. Beverly resides in Prince George's County, Maryland.

Extent

.50 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

This collection contains poetry, speeches, photographs, books, and audio recordings related to the literary life of Sylvia Dianne Beverly also known as Ladi Di. The material dates from 1962-2018.

Arrangement

Arranged alphabetically by folder titles. The titles were supplied by the donor.

Physical Location

Materials may be stored off-site, and may require additional retrieval time. Please contact the Special Collections Research Center for more information.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gift of Sylvia Dianne Beverly, March 4, 2010 (2010.009). and 2018 (2018.031)

Separated Materials

The following books were removed from the collection and added to the Special Collections book collection.



The Wisdom of Blue Apples by Diane Wilbon Parks

Wounded Kings and Warrior Women by Adeke Rose

The LP Collections: Lessons and Praise by Felecia Karen Scott

Title
Guide to the Sylvia D. Beverly literary papers, 1962-2018
Status
Completed
Author
Special Collections Research Center, The George Washington University
Date
2010
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Finding aid written in English

Repository Details

Part of the Special Collections Research Center, The George Washington University Repository

Contact:
George Washington University Gelman Library
2130 H Street NW
Washington DC 20052 United States of America