Happy Birthday to Dr. Maya Angelou, a GLOBAL Treasure

Today is poet & author Dr. Maya Angelou's 85th birthday!

Dr. Angelou is one of my inspirations. I am thankful for her presence.

I was first introduced to Miss Maya through her appearance on "Sesame Street.'

Ha! Get into THIS:

(Simpler times, y'all. Simpler times...)

Damone is my name, and I'm proud that it's mine!!!

Not too many people know that Maya is a performer through and through! An actress, a dancer (a fierce one!), and a singer. Check out Maya BEASTING this interpretation of 'Run Joe.'

Maya on the power of words:

Maya on love and it's liberating powers:

You see, love liberates. It doesn't bind. Love says “I love you. I love you if you’re in China. I love you if you’re across town. I love you if you’re in Harlem. I love you. I would like to be near you. I would like to have your arms around me. I would like to hear your voice in my ear, but that’s not possible now. So, I loved you. Go.”

Love liberates, it doesn't just hold. That’s ego.

Love liberates.

I constantly find myself in awe of this woman. In awe of her humility. In awe of her selflessness. In awe of her power. In awe of her honesty. In awe of her BEING.

On today, and forevermore, I am eternally grateful for the spirit that is Maya Angelou. I thank you, Maya, for the message. I thank you, Maya, for the lessons. I thank you, Maya, for the love. I thank you, Maya, for the encouragement. I thank you, Maya, for YOU.

Happy 85th, Queen! 

Onward and upward!!

Oh! Before y'all go, in honor of her birthday read her famous poem, 'Still I Rise.'

PEACE, beloveds. Always. 

You may write me down in history With your bitter, twisted lies, You may trod me in the very dirt But still, like dust, I'll rise.

Does my sassiness upset you? Why are you beset with gloom? 'Cause I walk like I've got oil wells Pumping in my living room.

Just like moons and like suns, With the certainty of tides, Just like hopes springing high, Still I'll rise.

Did you want to see me broken? Bowed head and lowered eyes? Shoulders falling down like teardrops. Weakened by my soulful cries.

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.

You may shoot me with your words, You may cut me with your eyes, You may kill me with your hatefulness, But still, like air, I'll rise.

Does my sexiness upset you? Does it come as a surprise That I dance like I've got diamonds At the meeting of my thighs?

Out of the huts of history's shame I rise Up from a past that's rooted in pain I rise I'm a black ocean, leaping and wide, Welling and swelling I bear in the tide. Leaving behind nights of terror and fear I rise Into a daybreak that's wondrously clear I rise Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave, I am the dream and the hope of the slave. I rise I rise I rise.