"She got through every day with a type of courage that transforms us now."
That was just one of the statements made about the late poet, author and activist Maya Angelou by filmmaker Rita Coburn-Whack during a keynote speech at Celebrating Maya@90 In Poetry and Song. The luncheon was held April 19 in the Great Hall of the Clinton Presidential Center as a benefit for the Celebrate! Maya Project.
Coburn-Whack is co-producer and director of the award-winning documentary Maya Angelou: And Still I Rise. Introduced by Courtney Pledger, Arkansas Educational Television Network director, Coburn-Whack drew a standing ovation for her speech on Angelou's influence on her life and career.
The luncheon kicked off with music by Genine LaTrice Perez, accompanied by Steve Hudelson and Perry Israel; the trio performed later in the luncheon program. Pamela Smith was master of ceremonies. Guests were welcomed by Lena Moore, the Clinton Foundation's deputy executive director, who quoted from Angelou's "Phenomenal Woman" poem, and Janis F. Kearney, project founder and president.
Other luncheon highlights included an essay on Angelou by China Day, the 2018 Celebrate! Maya Academic Scholar; a slide show chronicling the Still I Rise Delta Voice Writing and History Immersion tour, held in cooperation with the 60th anniversary of the Central High integration; and a 25th-anniversary reading of Angelou's 1993 presidential inauguration poem, "On the Pulse of Morning," by Vincent Tolliver, Crystal Mercer, Jami McAdoo, Jennifer Black and Norel McAdoo.
The Celebrate! Maya Project is made up of women whose goal is to honor and promote the legacy of Angelou, a childhood resident of Stamps who died in 2014.
High Profile on 04/29/2018