About Us

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Our History

At the heart of the Dr. Maya Angelou Foundation is the belief that every human being deserves the opportunity to live with dignity, purpose, and opportunity. Guided by Dr. Angelou's enduring wisdom and compassion, the Foundation remains committed to improving the quality of life for all through education, healthcare, and cultural empowerment.

Founded by Dr. Angelou in 2003, the Foundation serves as a living tribute to her philanthropic legacy. It was created to carry forward her lifelong vision of a more just and equitable world where excellence in education is accessible to all and healthcare is a right, not a privilege.

Whether it’s funding scholarships for students to attend historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs), supporting culturally responsive curricula, or advancing access to quality care in underserved communities, every initiative reflects Dr. Angelou’s belief that “we are more alike than we are unalike” and that legacy is not just what we leave behind, but what we build together. 

Dr. Maya Angelou’s Vision:

“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."

The Dr. Maya Angelou’s Foundation Mission:

“Guided by Dr. Maya Angelou’s vision of “…sharing in the glory of a good life, lived joyously”, our mission 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. ”

"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 which can open the dungeon of ignorance which imprisons our youth and prohibits us from sharing in the glory of a good life, lived joyously."

— Dr. Maya Angelou

Our Virtues | “The Maya Way”

The Dr. Maya Angelou Foundation is committed to enhancing and connecting humanity by supporting innovative approaches in educational excellence and healthcare equity. At her core, Dr. Maya Angelou believed in the power of demonstrating key characteristics as a means to enhance personal and professional excellence.

Dr. Maya Angelou Board of Directors

as of January 2024

  • Mr. Elliott Jones

    SOLE MEMBER

    Social Advocate and Philanthropist

  • Ms. Thamiah Tutt

    Board Chair

    President and CEO, Dr. Maya Angelou Foundation

  • Ms. Porscha Burke

    Board Secretary

    Senior Editor and Publishing Manager, Christian Projects at Random House

  • Mr. Michael Steele

    Board Treasurer
    Michael Steele, CPA LLC

  • Mr. Ato Bernasko

    Senior Vice President, Audit Director of Bank of America

    Board Vice Chair

Members at Large

  • Dr. Howard Dodson, Jr.

    Historian, Educator, and Curator

  • Dr. Wallis Tinnie

    President, Florida Black Historical Research Project

  • Mr. Eldridge "Redge" Hanes

    Writer and Philanthropist

The Foundation’s work is guided by the following essential virtues as we strive to fulfill our mission:

  • Change

    “The desire to reach the stars is ambitious. The desire to reach hearts is wise and most possible.”

  • Courage

    “Courage is the most important of all the virtues because without courage, you can’t practice any other virtue consistently.”

  • Curiosity

    “I’ve learned that I still have a lot to learn.”

  • Creativity

    “If you’re always trying to be normal you will never know how amazing you can be.”

Human Family

 

“I note the obvious differences
in the human family.
Some of us are serious,
some thrive on comedy.

Some declare their lives are lived
as true profundity,
and others claim they really live
the real reality.

The variety of our skin tones
can confuse, bemuse, delight,
brown and pink and beige and purple,
tan and blue and white.

I've sailed upon the seven seas
and stopped in every land,
I've seen the wonders of the world
not yet one common man.

I know ten thousand women
called Jane and Mary Jane,
but I've not seen any two
who really were the same.

Mirror twins are different
although their features jibe,
and lovers think quite different thoughts
while lying side by side.

We love and lose in China,
we weep on England's moors,
and laugh and moan in Guinea,
and thrive on Spanish shores.

We seek success in Finland,
are born and die in Maine.
In minor ways we differ,
in major we're the same.

I note the obvious differences
between each sort and type,
but we are more alike, my friends,
than we are unalike.

We are more alike, my friends,
than we are unalike.

We are more alike, my friends,
than we are unalike.”

— Dr. Maya Angelou