Author Allison Silberberg revisits her roots at Greenhill

Former Greenhill student Allison Silberberg recently returned home to discuss her book, "Visionaries In Our Midst: Ordinary People who are Changing our World," with students.  The book will be available at The Buzz until December 18 and the proceeds will go to the Phillip G. Foote Endowment Fund.    

"Visionaries In Our Midst: Ordinary People who are Changing our World" is Allison Silberberg’s inspiring collection of essays that profiles ordinary people who are changing our world. Silberberg shares the stories of individuals who identified critical needs in their communities and responded with courage and conviction.

This is a book about those who inspire hope, those who struggle, and those who make something happen. This is a book about catalysts – those who innovate and work to build a better life for others. This is a time to discover what is possible when individuals stand up for one another. "Visionaries In Our Midst" is a thought-provoking book that takes the reader on an unforgettable journey.  

Ms. Silberberg is also the author of "And Life Will Be a Beautiful Dream," a memoir she was commissioned to write about the meaningful life of a philanthropic family. Her writing has appeared on PBS.org in conjunction with Ken Burns’ and Lynn Novick’s documentary series, "The War," as well as in conjunction with David Grubin’s documentary series, "The Jewish Americans." Her columns and articles have appeared in "The Washington Post" and "The Dallas Morning News." In 1989, she wrote an episode for the television series "Mama’s Family."

In the early 1990s, for two years, Ms. Silberberg worked on Capitol Hill for Senator Lloyd M. Bentsen of Texas. It was the height of the crack wars in D.C.’s most troubled neighborhoods, and Ms. Silberberg, who had also been teaching a screenwriting course at American University, founded and managed Lights, Camera, Action! (or LCA!), a nonprofit committed to helping inner-city teens realize their potential through film. Seven of the eight LCA! participants went to college, and "Poppy," an award-winning, short film they made together, aired on local PBS stations. After a return to writing and consulting, Ms. Silberberg created monthly charitable gatherings, which she organized for nearly a decade and where all proceeds from those events went to a different local nonprofit each month.

In 2005, The World Bank asked her to serve a three-year term on its Community Outreach Grants Committee, which disbursed major funding to nonprofits in Washington. She has received two awards for her community work.

Ms. Silberberg’s photography, which specializes in portraiture, has appeared in major newspapers and magazines in the United States and abroad. Her photograph of Coretta Scott King has garnered national attention.

Ms. Silberberg has a B.A. in international relations and history from American University and an M.F.A. in playwriting from the University of California, Los Angeles’ School of Theater, Film and Television. Originally from Dallas, Texas, Ms. Silberberg resides in Alexandria, Virginia.