Maya Angelou Stamp Dedication in Charlotte

To celebrate the unveiling of the Forever Maya Angelou stamp, three organizations, including the Ebony Society of Philatelic Events and Reflections (ESPER), will host a ceremony on Saturday, June 6 at 1 p.m., Friendship Missionary Baptist Church, 3301 Beatties Ford Road in Charlotte, N.C.

Several speakers and performers will be featured, including Charlotte Mayor, Daniel Clodfelter; Charlotte Postmaster, Le Gretta Ross-Rawlins; Dr. Esper Hayes; WBTV News Reporter, Brigida Mack. I'm happy and honored to report that I will perform a Maya Angelou piece during the event, which is free and open to the public.

Did you know that in 1997, Maya Angelou and 11 other Black authors were honored on stamps in Uganda and Ghana? The stamps, created to promote world literacy, were designed by Seattle artist Gary Aagaard.

Ghanaian Great Writers stamps (1997)

Earlier this year, on March 4, the U.S. Postal Service unveiled a Forever Stamp honoring Maya Angelou, the world renowned writer, professor, singer, director, and activist, who died last May. The First-Day-of-Issue stamp dedication ceremony was held on April 7 at the Warner Theater in Washington, D.C., with First Lady Michelle Obama and Oprah Winfrey as special guests.

For more information about the Maya Angelou stamp dedication ceremony in Charlotte, contact Beatrice A. Cox at beco43@aol.com, or 704-574-1064.

U.S. Forever Maya Angelou Stamp (2015)

Ugandan Great Writers stamps

Can I Have a Dollar?

(True story)

Last evening someone was pounding on my door like it was an emergency. I opened the blinds but didn't see anyone -- then I looked down. It was a little girl who must have been about 6 years old. When I opened the door she said with urgency, "Can I have a dollar?"

"Where's your momma?" I said.

"She's at work."

"Who's at home with you?"

"My sisters......can I have a dollar? I don't have any money and the ice cream truck is here."

"Oh.....OK... Will a dollar do it?"

"Yes."

"OK. Let me go get it."

I went to my purse, pulled out the dollar and handed it to her.

"What's your name?" I asked.

"Z----"

"Nice to meet you Z----. My name is Ms. Alicia."

She waved and ran off to get her ice cream.

Earthy Anne: Rock Chariot, I Told You to Rock

I'd rather listen to this than anything playing on the radio today. It's got more heart, rhythm, and just all around soul. Here's "Rock Chariot, I Told You to Rock," by Earthy Anne. You can't find music like this today. It's priceless and it's a part of our rich and cherished history. ""Wouldn't trade my shoes for your shoes.....wouldn't give you my wings for your wings.....wouldn't swop my grace for your grace....wouldn't give you my wings for your wings..... wouldn't trade my soul for your soul......"

Listen to the song here: Rock Chariot, I Told You to Rock

Vera Hall: Black Woman

I just discovered Vera Hall y'all. I'm speechless and yes I WILL be ordering some of her music. Her voice is simply spellbinding. From what I remember, I believe my maternal grandmother's singing voice was similar to this. "Don't your kitchen feel lonesome, when your biscuit roller gone?" That's poetry right there.

Now you have to listen to a this man sing "Black Woman."

Love?

Not everyone is going to love you. Most people don't even love themselves. -- anonymous

Marilyn Mosby: Our Time is Now

This is one of the most important spoken word pieces I've heard or seen. This is history right here and Baltimore State's Attorney Marilyn Mosby brought it home to us today! Thank you Ms. Mosby. At least we know somebody is on the case, seeking justice for Freddie Gray and his family. (Big sigh of relief.)