About Us
Our History
At the essence of the Dr. Maya Angelou Foundation is the commitment to improve the quality of life for all human beings.
In 2014, the Dr. Maya Angelou Foundation was founded to serve as the dynamic personification of her philanthropic legacy and lifelong vision to support educational excellence and healthcare equity initiatives 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 Mission
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 and 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.
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
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Mr. Elliott Jones
SOLE MEMBER
Social Advocate and Philanthropist
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Ms. Thamiah Tutt
Board Chair
President and CEO, Dr. Maya Angelou Foundation
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Ms. Porscha Burke
Board Secretary
Senior Editor and Publishing Manager, Christian Projects at Random House
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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
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Dr. Howard Dodson, Jr.
Historian, Educator, and Curator
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Dr. Wallis Tinnie
President, Florida Black Historical Research Project
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Mr. Eldridge "Redge" Hanes
Writer and Philanthropist
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The Foundation’s work is guided by the following essential virtues as we strive to fulfill our mission:
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Change
“The desire to reach the stars is ambitious. The desire to reach hearts is wise and most possible.”
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Courage
“Courage is the most important of all the virtues because without courage, you can’t practice any other virtue consistently.”
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Curiosity
“I’ve learned that I still have a lot to learn.”
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Creativity
“If you’re always trying to be normal you will never know how amazing you can be.”
Human Family
— Dr. Maya Angelou
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.