2025 "Still We Rise," Celebrating Maya @ 97
“This year, it is critical we continue the work of ensuring that our children’s voices are valued, and their stories are shared through poetry, music, writing and dialog, to create a better world. We continue this work as part of our commitment to keep Maya Angelou’s legacy alive,” CMP President Janis F. Kearney
LITTLE ROCK— “Still We Rise,” is the theme for this year’s monthlong celebration of Dr. Maya Angelou’s 97th birthday. Since 2014, the Celebrate! Maya Project has celebrated the life and legacy of iconic poet, writer and humanist Maya Angelou, and as in the past we will celebrate her throughout the month of April.
The Celebrate! Maya Project is an Arkansas-based 501©(3) nonprofit providing educational programming and public events rooted in Maya Angelou’s words: “When you learn, teach. When you get, give.” This year’s month-long celebration will include the following events.
Scheduled CelebratingMaya@97 Events
*April 3, 2025 — 9:30 am / 1:00 pm
Book Launch: Maya Angelou Finds her Voice, featuring coauthors Connie and Peter Roop, and Book Illustrator Noa Dedman. This program is cosponsored by Celebrate! Maya Project, Clinton Presidential Center, and Little Rock School District – *Events For Students & Educators only
- Book Talk with LRSD elementary students, Clinton Presidential Center
- Book Talk with middle school students, Marian G. Lacey Leadership Academy
- Public Reception with authors and illustrator, Hilary Clinton Children’s Library
April 4, 2025 — 1 pm
Book Launch: Maya Angelou Finds Her Voice, featuring coauthors Connie and Peter Roop, and Book Illustrator Noa Dedman; Lafayette County elementary school, Stamps, AR
April 24, 2025 — 11:30 am
2025 “Still We Rise,” Annual Spirit of Maya Awards Luncheon and Celebration, at the Great Hall, Clinton Presidential Center. This year’s honorees will be American classical music composer Florence Price, posthumously; and Korto Momolu, international fashion designer and philanthropist. The event will be serenaded by Florence Price music, performed by mezzo soprano Nisheedah Devre Golden, and accompanied by Linda Holzer, classical pianist.
April 25, 2025 — 6:00 pm
A Celebration of Southern Poetry…honoring Maya Angelou, Nikki Giovanni, with special guest *Actress, writer and poet Ciera Payton, and featuring local and regional southern poets, at the Ron Robinson Theater, Little Rock, AR
While the “Celebration of Southern Poetry …honoring Maya Angelou, Nikki Giovanni and more,” is free, For more information, visit www.celebratemayaproject.org or email janis@celebratemayaproject.org. All funds from sponsorships and gifts will go toward Celebrate! Maya Project’s youth programs and Scholarship Fund.
