Tag Archives: Maya Angelou

NEWS: MAYA ANGELOU NOT FEELING THE NEW ‘MLK MEMORIAL’ SAYS IT MAKES HIM LOOK “ARROGANT”

On Monday, August 22, many Washington, D.C. tourists had the opportunity to get a first look at the new monument dedicated to the late civil rights leader, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The new 30-foot-tall granite statue stands on 4 acres of the National Mall and overlooks the Tidal Basin.

Since its debut there has been a bit of a controversy over a certain feature of the monument. On the north side of the statue, there is an inscription of a quote taken from King’s powerful 1968 sermon at Atlanta’s Ebenezer Baptist Church. An excerpt of the speech was engraved, saying: “I was a drum major for justice, peace and righteousness.”

Poet Maya Angelou has since addressed her disappointment in the choice of words and called the monument’s feature “misleading”:
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Posted in NEWS/STORIES Tagged ,

EVENT PICS: OPRAH’S STAR-STUDDED SURPRISE SPECTACULAR IN CHICAGO + DETAILED RECAP!

Chicago’s United Center was packed Tuesday night with Oprah’s fans and followers for the taping of the finale episodes of The Oprah Winfrey Show. The media giant enjoyed surprises from some big A-List stars including: Maya Angelou, Beyonce, Tom Cruise, Michael Jordan, Will & Jada Smith, Aretha Franklin, Stedman, Madonna, Maria Shriver and the list goes on!

Check out some snaps from the show (which are set to air back to back next week) and also read some actual recaps provided by TVSQUAD.COM below.

HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE TAPING:

Beyonce came onstage to perform in a tuxedo leotard, singing ‘Oprah we can run the world,’ and the crowd went nuts. Tom Cruise is still inexplicably on stage with Oprah. Later, Beyonce had to re-do her performance. Let’s just hope they use Oprah’s original reaction for air.

Diane Sawyer walked on stage, then a large tree appeared as Oprah announced that everyone in the audience was getting … a tree. Huh. The tree-giving was upstaged by Halle Berry, Queen Latifah and Katie Holmes coming out on stage.

Will and Jada Pinkett Smith come onstage to cohost the rest of the show. Chicago Bulls music starts playing as Michael Jordan walks up from the audience — “MJ in the HOUSE!” screams Oprah — and shares the fun fact that they both started in Chicago the same year, 1984.

Jamie Foxx comes on stage and calls Oprah “sexy” and “beautiful,” then gives us the first Stedman mention of the show. He also starts singing ‘Isn’t She Lovely,’ which is the cue for Stevie Wonder to rise up on stage with his piano to join in. Wow. Then Stevie sings a song he wrote just for Oprah, and Lady O shoos the cameras away to enjoy a sweet private moment. Continue

Posted in CL Galleries, EVENTS Tagged , , , , , ,

AWARENESS: COMMON SITS DOWN W/ DR. MAYA ANGELOU

Rapper Common honored Dr. Maya Angelou among others at his 1st Annual Common Ground Foundation Gala. The Common Ground Foundation is dedicated to developing youth in underserved communities to be contributing citizens and strong leaders. The event was held last week in Chicago, Illinois and recognized various “Women of Leadership & Excellence”. Chicago Now’s GoWhere HipHop interviewed the two authors/humanitarians and they shared how they inspire each other. Peep Dr. Angelou gettin’ her cool on in her shades!

( Source: Rap Radar )
Posted in VIDEOS, awareness Tagged ,