The Maya Way

Guy Lambert, WPGC

I was honored on May 3, 2012 to accompany Guy Lambert, from WPGC to The National Theatre, to Celebrate the Maya Way with Dr. Maya Angelou. As I entered the building on the red carpet I accepted the energy of grace as it carried me into a slow walk, with a smile of course. Come on now, many of us have dreamed of that red carpet walk, I would have been dimmed by my own self had I not enjoyed the moment. My heels felt so good at that moment, however; in the back of my mind I knew how they would feel by the time my night was over.

Here I was entering the building being greeted by smiling faces and beautiful people. I was escorted to the top floor where I entered the VIP reception area. It was a delight meeting Free, from WPGC, Michele Wright, from WHUR and many other famous faces. The love and joy in the room was an intense feeling and a welcomed one for the woman whom we were in celebration for.

I made my way towards the front of the room as Guy Lambert began to speak. Sharing details of the Maya Way Foundation and what this 15th year meant to a lot of people, especially the children who attend the Maya Angelou schools. Many speakers followed behind Guy Lambert; Patti Austin, Dr. Johnnetta Cole, Jack Davies and Dr. Lucretia Murphy just to name a few.

Guest Speaker: Johnnetta Cole

As the doors opened the room came to a serene, I was captivated and I don't use that word lightly. To have Dr. Maya Angelou enter into a room and seated within arms reach is truly a feeling of captivity. I didn't mind having something so humble control me at that moment.
I watched her chest rise up and down, my first thought was, is she nervous? I continued to watch her, suddenly remembering that this is a woman with elegance in her voice, history in her words, knowledge in her mind and triumph in her soul. Nervous, not at all, by no means was she nervous. Preparing to feed our souls with a nourishing meal, why yes. Breathing with ease inhaling what was in the room, discovering what level of articulation she shall feed to her audience.

I went from worried about her being nervous to understanding what wisdom she carried. I found myself studying her with great interest. As her breaths inhaled, her face was towards the ground, not in shyness but in meditation with nothing around her disturbing. She released the inhale and her head raised high, no eye contact; still in meditation with nothing around her disturbing.

Dr. Maya Angelou

Finally she made contact, "Dr. Maya Angelou we are thankful for you" the speaker said and with just those few words she opened her mouth and began to speak. Her voice was soothing and her smile was joy. I remember being off balance a bit, it was so much to take in. I apologized to the camera man as I hit the stand of his camera. I slid a bit to the side as she continued to speak. It was in the raise of her fist as if to define 'if nothing else sticks with you remember this'. "You've already been paid for, if you understand that then it livens you, it strengthens you and it prepares you to do the work which is yet to come".

A evening with Dr. Maya Angelou and a memorable night with several other performers.

Special Guest: Common

(c) 2011 Ebony Larijani