AKILAH HOLDER, B.A., M.A. Biography

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Akilah Holder was born and raised in Trinidad and Tobago.  In 2000, she migrated to New York to commence her undergraduate studies in French and Spanish at Brooklyn College of the City University of New York.  Interestingly, during her first semester at Brooklyn College (BC), she took a required course in Political Science, and that course marked a turning point in her academic and career journey.  Holder left Trinidad and Tobago with the intention of becoming a diplomat; but after her exposure to Political Science, she changed her mind to becoming a Professor.

 

Nonetheless, unable to completely let go of her languages, Holder double majored in Spanish and Political Science, and did a minor in French.  She completed her undergraduate degrees in 2005, and shortly thereafter commenced her graduate studies in Political Science at the same college.  In 2007/8, she attained her Master of Arts in Political Science, and secured an adjunct lecturer position at her university soon after. She lectured there in Political Science for about two years.

 

It is safe to say that America holds a dear place in Holder’s heart given that, that there is where she gained a sense of self, where her person was formed.  She became an adult in the U.S. and has tremendous respect for many aspects of American society.

In January of 2010, Holder returned to Trinidad and Tobago.   

 

In 2012, in what could be considered a twist of fate, she began working as a freelance writer for the Trinidad Express Woman Magazine, and produced several thought-provoking pieces about social issues in Trinidad and Tobago which put her on the national map.  Holder now found herself in the field of journalism as opposed to lecturing.  Nonetheless, here was a chance to share what she had learned.

 

Writings like “The Issue of Colorism” in which Holder highlighted the tension in the black community between those of dark skin tones and light skin tones and even her own personal experience with the issue; “A Lesson Learned from Sarah and Abraham” where she relayed her personal experience with an adulterous father and took a moral stand against adultery and a piece against the lewd behaviour of women at Carnival time, sparked national conversations. These articles and more not only showcased Holder’s intellectual prowess, but also her intolerance of injustice and faith in God.

 

In late 2014, she took up a position at the Trinidad Newsday where she worked as a political and news reporter.  In 2017, she resigned.  A career in the media resulted in her having to compromise her Christian beliefs and precluded her from speaking unhindered on society's injustices.  

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It is no surprise then, that Holder has started her own blog, www.wordpress.intelligenttalk.com, where she airs her views on certain issues in Trinidad and Tobago and the rest of the world.

 

In 2016, she finally birthed a project that she had been working on for years:  her first book, “Apart from Me, You can do Nothing:  a Spiritual Explanation for the Origins of Mankind.” In 2005, the idea for the book came to Holder and while she immediately made note of her thoughts, they remained on the pages of her journal while she pursued her academic training. 

 

Holder launched her first book on Saturday April 8, in the Audio Visual Room in the National Library of Trinidad and Tobago (NALIS).