“Can We Talk ?”
By Tisha Burgos
Dr. Silvia Lloyd
What makes a person admired? Positive acts, one would say. I often ad mired the woman I want to reverence now – Dr. Silvia Lloyd, of which I have the pleasure of calling my first cousin. Dr. Lloyd will be honored on June 22nd, 2024 by the Buffalo NAACP, receiving the Medgar Evers Civil Rights Award.
Dr. Silvia Lloyd has notably been a powerhouse in Buffalo, New York. With educational beginnings finishing her undergrad at Buffalo State College, she then pressed even further to obtain her Master’s degree in Library and Information Science from the University of Buffalo. This dream was fulfilled for her mother, Cynthia Burgos, who worked 25 years with the Buffalo Board of Education (1st teacher as she emphasized in her book).
In 2006, she also completed a Master of Education Ad ministration from Canisius College. Then in 2011, when the Big Apple as we know it was shakened up, she received her Education Doctorate in Executive Leadership from St. John Fisher College, Rochester, New York. Dr. Lloyd also holds New York State certifications for building and district level School Librarian Teacher K-12.
I spoke with my cousin shortly after I received the news, and she stated how very honored she was, and it is through her poetry that she is able to process grief. I agree because it is a form of therapy for me as well. I have written about her in the past; it was during the tur moil of May 14th, 2022 that Dr. Lloyd’s passion for the people of Buffalo stirred up in her such powerful poetry she comprised together leading to a book entitled “Mas sacre 10.” I found one poem in particular to be very compelling for me called... “I had hoped we would never meet.”
Dr. Lloyd is absolutely rightfully being honored for her contributions to our city. She has always been an advocate for those suffering social injustice. The love for our city comes natural. It is the Burgos way. We watched our grandmother, Elizabeth Burgos, her second teacher, recognized by the late President Ronald Reagan for her role as a community builder; who introduced curriculum changes in our school sys tem, opening doors for health and dental care within the Fruit Belt com munity, feeding hungry. She was the president of homeowners and tenants council at the CAO Community Center. It is in our blood. Dr. Lloyd tapped into what is rooted.
Dr. Silvia Lloyd has al ways been a leader and ad vocate, raising her voice to evoke change where there is social injustices. She has been recognized in the past receiving awards and alkalize from My Brother’s Keeper MBKNYC and the Community Healers Award from the National Federation for Just Communities of WNY.
Our family is extremely proud of the recognition she is receiving from the Buffalo chapter of NAACP’s 56 annual awards dinner. From humble beginnings we came. If you should cross her path, greet her in joy knowing she is loving on her people and community.