April Tucker
Biography
Petersburg native April Tucker, formerly April Gholson, beat the odds as a teen
mom. Having a baby boy at the age of seventeen was not in her plan. Rather,
her goals were to graduate from Petersburg High School and attend college.
Destiny proved different yet April overcame challenges by accepting
responsibility for the life she helped create.
The early years weren’t easy. April moved into Petersburg’s low-income Section
8 housing and became a product of the welfare system. Determined to change
conditions for her son’s sake, she enrolled in Virginia State University and took
advantage of the benefits she was entitled to as a single mother, including free
day care and funds to cover her books and bus tickets. Social services required
she maintain at least a 2.0, which she did. April supplemented her resources
through college work-study. In 1992, and six years after entering Virginia State,
she received her degree in Sociology with a minor in Administration of Justice.
April credits what she became: a woman of perseverance, patience,
responsibility and unwavering love, to her son, Tremaine Neverson, who is now
twenty-three years old. Also known by another name, Trey Songz, that baby
born out of wedlock is one of today’s hottest musical talents: an acclaimed
recording artist and songwriter under the Atlantic Records label. At the time of his
signing, Ahmet Ertegun, Atlantic’s legendary founder, called Trey one of the most
promising R&B artists since soul music’s birth.
There is pride in her voice when April speaks of Trey and her younger son,
Forrest, her thirteen year old from a marriage now dissolved. Yet she recognizes
that she was one of the fortunate young mothers, much because of her mother
and a network of systems and resources available to her at the time, and
available to others who do not always use them.
While a juvenile probation officer in Baltimore City and a resource specialist in
several Maryland counties, April saw how kids fell through the cracks, how
partnering relationships, among parents, schools, social service providers, and
other stakeholders could make a measurable difference. In her work as program
manager for Big Brothers and Big Sisters in Junction City, Kansas, where her
then husband was stationed in the military, she promoted strategic alliances
beneficial to children at risk.
Tapping existing resources is what April does well, professionally and personally.
When she had to remain in Baltimore for work, Trey lived with her mother in
Petersburg, which April viewed as a safer environment for her teenage son. Like
his mother and father, Claude Neverson, Jr., Trey graduated from Petersburg
High School.
Both of Trey’s grandmothers were supportive. His paternal grandmother involved
him in church where he sang in the choir not knowing what his future would
bring, not recognizing his musical gifts. April did and soon entered Trey in
contests; he always won. She is quick to point out that she and Trey grew up
together, that she knew if she didn’t teach him to value himself, the streets
certainly wouldn’t.
Though enjoying fame and fortune now, April’s son never forgot the less
fortunate in his hometown and the lessons she taught him about giving back.
Without media presence, he and April donated a Thanksgiving turkey to every
family in his old neighborhood. Learning of the large numbers of families,
citywide, without turkeys, two days before Thanksgiving they purchased more,
providing them to anybody in need of one. Through a local nonprofit organization,
Trey gave young girls from underserved homes coats for Christmas. He also
gave families gift certificates for Walmart and donates slightly worn and new
clothes through the recreation department. Further, he has given Kings Dominion
tickets and spending money to children.
Trey’s generosity has not gone without some notice: the City of Petersburg
invited him to be Master of Ceremonies at the Petersburg Christmas Parade.
Next to family, Trey loves Petersburg. April adds: he’s a regular guy with a Godgiven voice and talent for writing.
A sampling of that writing talent has permanence on Trey's chest over his heart,
a tattooed poem dedicated to his mother, brother, and maternal grandmother, his
influencers. The words show his deepest feelings for his mother. Every writer’s
words are subject to interpretation. Who is April’s Rose?
"To God I pray
May April's showers
rain on her Forrest
And grow the strength
That started with
one Rose."
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Content written by Patricia Green, I C Linkages, LLC, from interview with April Tucker.