DR MAYA ANGELOU FOUNDATION

"I believe the responsibility for tomorrow is in our hands today. I believe that each of us highly favored must prepare for those who are least favored. Finally, I believe that education and only education is the key that can open the dungeon of ignorance which imprisons our youth and prohibits them from sharing in the glory of a good life, lived joyously." - Dr. Maya Angelou Today we join thousands of nonprofit organizations worldwide in a day dedicated to giving and human connectivity, #GivingTuesday   Guided by Dr. Maya Angelou’s vision of “…sharing in the glory of a good life, lived joyously”, the mission of the Dr. Maya Angelou Foundation is to activate positive change and inspire the next generation of critical thinkers, creative writers and courageous leaders through our innovative programs rooted in greater access to education, equality, and justice for all.   We fulfill our mission by awarding deserving students scholarships to attend historically black colleges and universities through our flagship Annie Willie Scholarship, strengthen student outcomes in literacy- and writing-based curriculum through our Dr. Maya Angelou Foundation Essay Contest, and by supporting healthcare and community-based initiatives bearing Dr. Angelou’s name. There are so many ways to take action and express gratitude today and every day. Around the world, people are taking action to drive generosity, exercise kindness and give thanks.   To learn more visit us at: https://lnkd.in/g8ip_D5S   To make a gift to support our work visit: https://lnkd.in/dkZqpiDH

"A free bird leaps on the back of the wind and floats downstream till the current ends and dips his wing in the orange sun rays and dares to claim the sky.  But a bird that stalks down his narrow cage can seldom see through his bars of rage his wings are clipped and his feet are tied so he opens his throat to sing." #DrMayaAngelou Continue to read "Caged Bird" and continue the pursuit of #Freedom. Discover the full poem here [https://lnkd.in/eEHgDduZ]

Celebrating Excellence: Meet the Winners of the Dr. Maya Angelou Essay Writing Contest! Congratulations to Daijha Teague, who earned an honorable mention in the Dr. Maya Angelou Essay Writing Contest! 🏆 ✍ 🌟 Daijha is committed to breaking barriers as a young Black woman pursuing a career in the STEAM fields. Her essay reflects her passion and determination: 'The career path I chose is exciting because it is constantly evolving. There is always a barrier to break through or a problem to tackle. The thrill of finding long-lasting solutions to complex problems that impact our world is what drives me... I want my work to make a positive difference, especially in my community.' Daijha is also a strong advocate for women’s empowerment, participating in programs like Sisterhood, which foster self-love, networking, and valuable life skills among Black women. Inspired by Dr. Maya Angelou's words, 'We may encounter many defeats, but we must not be defeated,' Daijha embodies resilience and courage in the face of challenges. We are proud of her dedication to making a positive impact and advancing technology. Discover more about her inspiring essay here: [https://lnkd.in/eTqyTX65] Ms. Teague will be attending Howard University this fall. #MayaAngelou #EssayContest #HonorableMention #Inspiration #STEAM #OUSD #WomenInSTEAM #Empowerment #DaijhaTeague #Resilience #BreakingBarriers #YouthWriters #HonoringMayaAngelou 

As the Olympics captivate the world, we're reminded of the unity and inspiration they bring. Dive into our latest blog post exploring Dr. Maya Angelou's poem 'Amazement Awaits,' written for the 2008 Beijing Games. Her words continue to uplift and inspire. Read more [https://lnkd.in/e9MaR64G] #Olympics #MayaAngelou #Inspiration #AmazementAwaits https://lnkd.in/euqiPeyd

"If you're going to live, leave a legacy. Make a mark on the world that can't be erased." -Dr. Maya Angelou Today, we uplift the life, servant leadership, and legacy of Sheila Jackson Lee. She was a courageous leader, longtime Texas congresswoman, and champion of equality for all people. We extend our condolences and thoughts of comfort and strength to Congresswoman Lee's family. - The Dr. Maya Angelou Foundation https://lnkd.in/gYjfyWED When Great Trees Fall When great trees fall, rocks on distant hills shudder, lions hunker down in tall grasses, and even elephants lumber after safety. When great trees fall in forests, small things recoil into silence, their senses eroded beyond fear. When great souls die, the air around us becomes light, rare, sterile. We breathe, briefly. Our eyes, briefly, see with a hurtful clarity. Our memory, suddenly sharpened, examines, gnaws on kind words unsaid, promised walks never taken. Great souls die and our reality, bound to them, takes leave of us. Our souls, dependent upon their nurture, now shrink, wizened. Our minds, formed and informed by their radiance,
fall away. We are not so much maddened as reduced to the unutterable ignorance
of dark, cold caves. And when great souls die, after a period peace blooms, slowly and always irregularly. Spaces fill with a kind of soothing electric vibration. Our senses, restored, never to be the same, whisper to us. They existed. They existed. We can be. Be and be better. For they existed. ― Dr. Maya Angelou

I’ve seen evidence of kindness and generosity – and those have been the turning-points in my life which confirmed my own faith and my own belief in the work ethic and the possibility of being – not possibility, my privilege to be generous and kind. #DrMayaAngelou #Charity #DMAFoundation

"Hold those things that tell your history and protect them. During slavery, who was able to read or write or keep anything? The ability to have somebody to tell your story is so important. It says: 'I was here. I may be sold tomorrow. But know I was here.'" #DrMayaAngelou #Unity #HappyJuneteenth #DMAFoundation

"I believe the responsibility for tomorrow is on our hands today. I believe that each of us highly favored must prepare for those who are least favored." -#DrMayaAngelou Today, we celebrate fathers and thank you for loving, making sacrifices, and providing. #HappyFathersDay! #DrMayaAngelou #DMAFoundation

"You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them." - #DrMayaAngelou During Men's Mental Health Month, we honor the wisdom of Dr. Maya Angelou, who taught us the power of resilience and self-compassion. Her words remind us that acknowledging and addressing mental health is a sign of strength. Let's support and uplift the men in our lives, encouraging open conversations and offering empathy and understanding. #MensMentalHealthMonth #MentalHealthAwareness #DMAFoundation #Resilience #SelfCompassion #MentalWellbeing

"To love someone takes a lot of courage. So how much more is one challenged when the love is of the same sex and the laws say, 'I forbid you from loving this person'?" #DrMayaAngelou #Happy #LGBTQ+ #PrideMonth 🌈 #DMAFoundation