Tribute to Maya Angelou

My Blog's title is a direct reference to one of the greatest poems of all time, which describes a Black woman's challenges and destiny:

"Does my haughtiness offend you? Don't you take it awful hard 'Cause I laugh like I've got gold mines Diggin' in my own back yard."
Maya Angelou, "Still I Rise", Verse 5 (Listen on Youtube)
copyright © 1978

The author is speaking at my Alma Mater, Indiana University- Bloomington, this Thursday, March 5, 2009. (Rescheduled)
25th Annual Arts Week: An Evening with Maya Angelou
Part of me wants to catch a flight to see her, and all my old friends in Bloomington. My first trip back to Indiana will be a long and organized one, so it can wait.

Besides, Maya Angelou appears publicly on a regular basis. Her full speaking schedule is NOT available, but you may email her Public Relations agency; mayaangelou@lordly.com, with your preferred state/region, to obtain a partial event listing.

Dr. Angelou has a simple, ugly, official website:
http://www.MayaAngelou.com/
Dr. Angelou's Foundation and Charter School, has a gorgeous website: http://www.SeeForever.org/

Thank you, Maya Angelou, for persevering through your personal pain, and daring to share your Self with us in I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings and all your other works of Art and Activism.

Purpose of My Blog

As you may know, VEYA is the company I started in college, to help the amazing communities I met in Bloomington, Indiana, Portland & St. Thomas, Jamaica, Dennery, St. Lucia, Southeast Ayiti, and now Philly, Pennsylvania. The more I traveled, the more I wanted to help, but the less organized I became. This blog will chronicle my efforts to establish Veya as a powerful voice for its' clients, hopefully create a membership to support the organization, but most importantly, prove that families working together can create both economic prosperity and restoration of the natural & social environment.

So, though I feel I should focus on the cities & towns I know personally, I will post news and views about people anywhere, serving the same mission as Veya. I need the inspiration, and maybe you do too.