04/29/2025
As April comes to an end, and our Birthday Celebrations have come and gone, the memories of those moments remain. Our gratitude remains. Because of that, we must thank supporters and friends who came out to celebrate with us, and those who sponsored to help make our endeavor a success.
Our month of celebrating Maya Angelou's 97th birthday, as we look back, began with cohosting with the Clinton Presidential Center, the launch of a new children's book chronicling Maya Angelou's young life in Stamps, Arkansas. The coauthors Connie and Peter Roop, and illustrator Noa Denmon did an amazing job of keeping the students present and in awe, as they shared their writing and illustration journey with four LRSD classes, and the Lafayette County Elementary School, in Stamps, Arkansas, virtually.
Our Annual Spirit of Maya Awards Luncheon, was hosted by the Clinton Presidential Center, where we not only celebrated Maya Angelou's 97th heavenly birthday, but honored the lives and achievements of two Phenomenal Arkansans - the late Florence Beatrice Price, brilliant musician and composer, and Korto Momolu, Liberian native who now calls Arkansas home - bringing with her, her own brilliant art of fashion design now known around the world.
This magical moment was all tied together with the music of Florence Price, so beautifully presented by classical pianist Linda Holzer, and mezzo soprano Risheedah Golden. Thank you to Mayor Scott for his beautiful greetings from the City of Little Rock, and to city official Melissa Mitchell, for presentation of the Proclamation; to Thamiah Tutt, President & CEO of the Dr. Maya Angelou Foundation, for gracing our event with her presence and her moving remarks, and Lena Hayes, Chief of Philanthropy and Partnerships at the Clinton Foundation, for her reverberating and memorable words, and to Carolyn Henderson Allen, who shared how Arkansas is collecting and preserving its rich history, namely that of the late Florence Price, and finally to honoree Korto Momolu, whose story-sharing kept the audience on the edge of their seats, and greatly inspired and moved the youth in attendance. Mrs. Price's timeless music was performed beautifully by Linda Holzer, and Risheedah Devre Golden. We were especially thrilled to have student guests from Little Rock Central High School, Philander Smith University, and Arkansas Baptist College - thanks to sponsorships by Dorothy Morris, Philanthropist; Mattel, OWN Charitable Foundation and John Gaiters' Trendsetters.
Our final evening was a Celebration of Southern Poetry, in honor of two iconic poets Maya Angelou and Nikki Giovanni, with a special guest poet American actress, and Angelou ingenue Ciera Payton, known best for her roles in Tyler Perry's The Oval, a Hulu film; and star of the Wendy Williams Movie.
Arkansas pride was palpable throughout the evening as 14 southern poets honored the south, Dr. Angelou and Nikki Giovanni as they shared their stories in poetry. Gracing our evening were: Coach A, Dr. Sonia Mae Brown, Kai Coggin, Coffy Davis, Agnolia Gay, Kristin "KV" Knox, Marilyn Lott Lefear, Sandy Longhorn, Stacey James McAdoo, Crystal Mercer Watson, Ciera Payton, and Drekkia Writes...and 'out of the mouths of babes', came two phenomenal young poets, fourteen-year-old students at Westwind School for Performing Arts, Olivia Batey and Karah Collins. Philander Smith University Choir were simply amazing, and Kami Renee as she always does, created beautiful moments through her reflective and awesome music.
Nothing will ever erase the magic of these wonderful moments, all in homage to the iconic poet who was for most of her childhood, a daughter of Arkansas.
While we revel in finding creative ways to "celebrate" Maya Angelou's life and works, and keep her life and contributions alive throughout Arkansas, we immensely enjoy the opportunity to share those moments with you. Please stay in touch and visit us at our website: https://www.celebratemayaproject.org. and plan to join us for our next celebration of Dr. Angelou!
