Maya Angelou Archives - Rolling Out

Much like the Tom Joyners, Taraji P. Hensons and Samuel L. Jacksons of the world, historically Black colleges and universities have a special and permanent place in Oprah Winfrey’s heart. Winfrey studied communications at Tennessee State University in Nashville, Tennessee, where her legend was birthed at a local television station. Therefore, it should come as…

Mega-entrepreneur Janice Bryant Howroyd provides leaders with a model for tapping into their roots to drive success. Acting Up! Winning In Business and Life Using Down-Home Wisdom is the story of her journey from growing up in a family of 11 children in the segregated South to becoming the country’s second-richest African American woman with a…

There are few urban stars who haven’t been immortalized by the lens of Drexina Nelson. Sweet-natured with a camera-ready smile herself, Nelson started her career as a makeup artist on set with some of Atlanta’s most prolific photographers. She completed both her BA and MBA degree at Clark Atlanta before deciding to pursue a career…

Terisha Lee is a native of Kentucky and a Ph.D. candidate at St. Thomas University in Florida. As a speaker and researcher, Lee’s focus has been in the areas of faith, purpose and resiliency. She is currently conducting research on the resiliency of African American women. As a Black woman, what do you consider your…

National Poetry Month is in full swing and wordsmiths from around the country are celebrating. Chicago represents a hub of poetry where some of the most eloquent and prolific poets are born. We spoke with one of those amazing poets. M’Reld Green has traveled the world with her words. We were able to catch up…

Dr. Maya Angelou was a renowned poet, author and teacher who touched the hearts of her fans with her words. She is best known for her catalog of autobiographical memoirs that painted an authentic picture of life. A pragmatic leader of her people, she was the second poet in history to read a poem at…

Author, poet, memoirist, and activist Dr. Maya Angelou penned a poem so impactful and empowering it was #blackgirlmagic years before it became a trending hashtag. It’s what we reference today to remind us to never give up. It’s titled “Still I Rise” and the Doodle audio is set to capture her reciting the poem, along…

Amazon continues to celebrate the holidays and big savings beyond the typical Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales with its 12 Days of Deals bargains. The retail conglomerate is offering “Deals of the Day” from Dec. 3-14, on everything from electronics to home goods. To make your shopping duties even easier, we’ve picked out our…

This week marks the second anniversary of Dr. Maya Angelou’s death on May 28, 2014. At the time of her passing, I was feeling particularly hopeless, but reflecting on the life of this amazing woman inspired me. Dr. Angelou’s death provided us the opportunity to once again delight in her memoirs, which chronicle the eclectic, bohemian…

“To describe my mother would be to write about a hurricane in its perfect power. Or the climbing, falling colors of a rainbow.” –Maya Angelou Mother’s Day turns 102 today, Sunday, May 8, 2016. President Woodrow Wilson officially set aside the second Sunday in May in 1914 for the holiday. It is a day filled…

Tanya Washington, a Georgia State University College of Law professor, comes from a long line of educators. As a fourth generation teacher, the importance and power of education were ingrained into her from the time she was a child in Washington, D.C. From there, she was driven by a passion for guiding and encouraging others, and…

Today, we celebrate Dr. Maya Angelou. Although the cherished poet passed away last May at the age of 86, her words and accomplishments will forever live on. A beloved author, dancer, actress, singer, and civil rights activist, best known for her 1969 memoir, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, Angelou has touched many lives…

On Monday, Feb.23, the U.S. Postal Service announced that renowned author and poet Maya Angelou will be honored with a commemorative stamp. Shortly after Angelou’s death last spring at the age of 86, a campaign was started to create a commemorative stamp in honor of the award-winning poet. A petition was circulated that read in part “Stamps have…

Actor Mpho Koaho

Mpho Koaho is an industry veteran who stars in Black or White, a film that opens today. Koaho spoke with rolling out on the eve of the film’s release about his role. “Duvan is who I play. He’s a young 19-year-old Nigerian. It isn’t stated when he emigrated but he is very educated in the Western…

Where do you find inspiration? I think inspiration is everywhere from walking down the street, driving, listening to music, dancing, talking to someone, having a deep conversation, traveling to meeting new people. It’s a combination of both seeking and attracting it. Art. Creativity and people thinking out of the box. Laughter inspires me. Any form…

What inspires you to show up at work every day? My appreciation of the Women’s Right Movement inspires me to show up at work every day. For many years women fought for workplace and economic equality. It is because of the Women’s Right Movement that I am afforded the opportunities that I have today. It…

Vicki Chancellor owns several McDonald’s restaurants in the Atlanta area. What inspires you go to work every day? I grew up very poor and now I believe that I am being presented an opportunity to succeed and how can I not take full advantage of this opportunity. I have a lot of single working young mothers,…

Tamika Christy Author, Anytime Soon Do you most often actively seek inspiration or does it find you? Or is it a combination of the two? I am a people-watcher. I like to observe people and their behaviors/reactions in different situations. My observations paired with my active imagination make for some great story ideas. I can…

“The Game” actress Brandy Norwood proudly joins her mother and manager, Sonja Norwood, as she celebrated 106 years of sisterhood, after being inducted into the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority as an honorary member. Yesterday, Norwood attended the AKA’s 66th Boule in Charlotte, North Carolina, where the former “Moesha” star threw up The Ivy in honor…

Legendary artist and activist Ruby Dee dies at 91, two weeks after the passing of late poet Maya Angelou. Dubbed the queen of Black Hollywood, the Grammy and Emmy Award-winning actress Ruby Dee and her late husband Ossie Davis were stalwarts in both the civil rights and entertainment community. Later this month at the American…