Celebrate Maya Project

06/09/2026

We are EXTREMELY excited to be a part of Mosaic Templars Cultural Center's historical 2026 Juneteenth Summit, on Friday, June 19th at noon, in the Robinson Center Performance Hall - 426 W. Markham St, Little Rock, AR.
It is a great honor to share this day with the iconic Little Rock Nine members Elizabeth Eckford, Carlotta Walls Lanier, Terrence Roberts, and the many other presenters on this historical program!

Please join us as we share Maya Angelou's transformative story in poetry, music, and historical narrative. A story of a riveting journey that took young Marguerite Johnson from St. Louis, Missouri, to Stamps, Arkansas, and to...the world!

Program presenters will include Janis F. Kearney, founder of Celebrate! Maya Project; Drew Pirtle, a University of Arkansas student and award-winning poet, and Derika Wilson, a recent graduate of Central High School and recipient of a full scholarship to Berklee College of Music. Join us as we Celebrate Maya Angelou by sharing her stories in music, poetry, and words.
For more information, contact us at [email protected]

05/28/2026

We are so excited to see an amazing Juneteenth evolution in Arkansas! Congratulations to Director Quantia "Key" Fletcher, and the Mosaic Templars Cultural Centeron this year's Inaugural Juneteenth Summit, scheduled for June 19, 2026!

Celebrate! Maya Project is honored to be part of this dynamic, interactive, educational and cultural event. See the day's schedule below:

The two-story dogtrot structure was constructed by Jacob Wolf in 1829 as the first permanent courthouse for Izard County in Arkansas Territory.

05/10/2026

It's Mother's Day, and in honor of this day, we share an excerpt from Maya Angelou's poem written in honor of her mother.

"Mother, I have learned enough now
To know I have learned nearly nothing.
On this day
When mothers are being honored,
Let me thank you
That my selfishness, ignorance, and mockery
Did not bring you to
Discard me like a broken doll
Which had lost its favor.
I thank you that
You still find something in me
To cherish, to admire and to love.

I thank you, Mother.
I love you."

Maya Angelou. "Mother, A Cradle To Hold Me." Family Friend Poems, https://www.familyfriendpoems.com/poem/mother-a-cradle-to-hold-me-by-maya-angelou

04/22/2026

Just, Thank You, Little Rock, Stamps and Arkansas for making our 2026 celebration of Dr. Maya Angelou's Birthday, a memorable one! From our two performances of the play, "Life Doesn't Frighten Me," by the Metro Theater Company from St. Louis, to our Still We Rise: Spirit of Maya Awards Luncheon at the William J. Clinton Presidential Center. Special thank you to Jacqueline Thompson, and Carl Overly, who worked with me for six months as we planned the Arkansas performances of the Play, based on Maya Angelou's 1993 Poem, "Life Doesn't Frighten Me."

There are so many people to thank. Phyllis Stickney, you are one PHENOMENAL woman. It was such an honor to bestow on you, the 2026 Spirit of Maya Award. It was beautiful getting to know you during our short time together and your luncheon speech was absolutely awesome. I can't wait for your next trip to Arkansas! Thamiah Tutt, CEO and President of the Dr. Maya Angelou Foundation - thank you for being an advocate and a friend. We look forward to working with you and contributing to the upcoming Maya Angelou Centennial; Caylin Johnson, co-president of the Caged Bird Legacy, and granddaughter of the one and only Dr. Maya Angelou, thank you for finding time to join us. We look forward to planning a youth project here in Arkansas around your next visit! Mayor Frank Scott, Jr. Scott, thank you for finding the time - again - in your very busy schedule, to share the morning with us and welcome everyone to our amazing city. Mayor Vivian Flowers, City of Pine Bluff, whose day I am certain was just as busy...thank you so very much for spending part of your day with us, and introducing your friend, Phyllis Yvonne Stickney. To Lena Hayes, who welcomed us to the Clinton Presidential Center with the grace and wisdom that she always brings, we are so grateful for our long relationship and your endearing support. To Charles King, you were eloquent in your tribute to Mrs. Daisy Bates, as always. Thank you for sharing her story with us. And, to the CMP board, I am forever proud and grateful for your commitment to Celebrate! Maya Project.

Thank you, finally, to our sponsors, our friends, our supporters and to those who joined us for the very first time, this year. Unfortunately, it would take up a LOT of space to thank everyone. I will most certainly thank you personally... but please allow me to say thank you to the Arkansas Department of Heritage, and the Black History Commission for making the two performances of "Life Doesn't Frighten Me," a possibility, and the UA - Pulaski Tech: The Center for Humanities and Arts for serving as the Little Rock venue, and the City of Stamps and the Lafayette County School District for all their work to make the Metro Theater Company's visit to Maya Angelou's childhood home, a memorable one. And, to the Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site for supporting us in the name of the Little Rock Nine, Daisy Bates and the children of Pulaski County.

Until next year, my friends. If there is a woman you'd like for us to consider for our 2027 Spirit of Maya Award, please share their name and any biographical information with us, at [email protected]

04/14/2026

04/14/2026

A remarkable experience unfolded in Arkansas over the past weekend. The Metro Theater of St. Louis's production of 'Life Doesn't Frighten Me' was a resounding triumph in Little Rock and Stamps, Arkansas, and I am deeply indebted to the theater company for selecting Arkansas as the final destination of their tour. The decision to conclude the tour in Arkansas was truly inspired. Many may be unaware that the renowned Maya Angelou spent her early childhood in St. Louis, but her second childhood home was in Arkansas, specifically in the small town of Stamps, where her journey to becoming the illustrious Maya Angelou commenced. Numerous individuals played a pivotal role in making the weekend a success. I would like to extend my sincerest gratitude to theater management staff Jacqueline and Carl, whose unwavering support and understanding were instrumental in bringing this event to fruition. The talented cast, comprising gifted young actors, singers, and dancers, deserves special recognition for their captivating performance, which brought Dr. Angelou's poem to life with unbridled emotion, resonating with children of all ages. I would also like to express my appreciation to our partners, including UA-Pulaski Tech, the Arkansas Black History Commission, the city of Stamps, and the Lafayette County School District. Furthermore, the unwavering support of our CMP Board has been invaluable, and I would like to take this opportunity to express my deepest gratitude. The magic of the past weekend will continue throughout the month of April, culminating in a celebration of Maya Angelou's 98th birthday at the Clinton Presidential Center on Thursday, April 16. On this occasion, we will also be honoring the lives of two Arkansas natives, civil rights legend Daisy L. Gatson Bates and award-winning actress Phyllis Yvonne Stickney, whose journeys mirror that of Maya Angelou. I extend an invitation to everyone to join us for this momentous occasion, which promises to be yet another extraordinary experience in Arkansas.
(Photo credits: Tanja Enoch)

04/09/2026

The communities of Little Rock, Central Arkansas, Stamps, and surrounding areas are cordially invited to celebrate Dr. Maya Angelou’s 98th birthday 🌹. The poignant children’s play “Life Doesn’t Frighten Me” will be performed twice: on Saturday at 2 pm at UA-Pulaski Tech in North Little Rock, AR, and on Sunday at 4 pm at Lafayette County HS in Stamps, AR. We hope you will join us for this special event.

04/06/2026

Thank you, Broadway Joe and KOKY for your consistent support of Celebrate! Maya Project - and our work to keep Dr. Maya Angelou’s legacy alive in Arkansas.

This year marks our 12th year since launching in 2014. Twelve years of amazing partnerships with schools and communities who work with us to create literacy, writing, art and history programs for youth.

This year we celebrate Dr. Angelou’s 98th heavenly birthday. In her honor, on Thursday, April 16 at 11:30 am. During this luncheon, we will recognize two women whose lives and works mirror that of Dr. Angelou: Civil rights leader Daisy L. Gatson Bates, and actress-comedienne Phyllis Yvonne Stickney.

In addition to the Luncheon, “Life Doesn’t Frighten Me,” a play for children of all ages, and an adaptation of Maya Angelou’s poem of the same name, will be performed at UA-Pulaski Tech CHARTS, on Saturday, April 11 at 2 pm. A second performance will take place in Stamps, Arkansas at the Lafayette County high school on Sunday, April 12 at 4 PM.

The public is invited to all events. You can purchase tickets to the luncheon, or reserve free tickets to the play by visiting: https//www.celebratemayaproject.org

02/17/2026

Celebrate! Maya Project mourns the loss of Rev. Jesse Jackson, Jr. , American civil rights leader and advocate for racial, social and economic justice.

We send condolences and prayers to the Jackson family, during this season of loss.

02/16/2026

Celebrate! Maya Project is proud to acknowledge Daisy Bates' Holiday, on this day.

I hope you will take a moment to acknowledge this great leader's many contributions to our world, as a wife, godmother to countless children, journalist and civil rights leader.

After years of working with her husband to publish
The Arkansas State Press Newspaper, she became the first female President of a state NAACP chapter, which preceded her role as the voice, face and appointed leader of the 1957 Central High Integration Crisis, which quickly became a global, historical story centered on the courage of nine Black children who desegregated the whites- only Little Rock Central High School.

Daisy Bates devoted her life to changing America and Arkansas’ education system – thus, changing the future for Arkansas’ children. If you don’t know her history, please take a few minutes today to learn more about her. She is worth knowing.