Sister Friend: Dr. Maya Angelou

What can I say about the most critically acclaimed African-American female voice of our time?


The woman who has touched so many sisters with her words, and graced so many venues with her divine aura.


The woman who took her brunt with racial discrimination, sexual abuse, and economic hardship, and turned it into a series of award-winning novels that has translated messages of hope, faith and perseverance for others to be inspired by.


She is a beautiful living legend we are happy to honor during National Poetry Month: Dr. Maya Angelou.



At the sensational age of 83, Dr. Maya Angelou is still a celebrated poet, novelist, educator, dramatist, producer, actress, historian, filmmaker, and civil rights activist.

She has traveled the world sharing her talent with all walks of life, whether it was through dance as a member of the production of Porgy and Bess(1954-55), as an editor for a weekly publication in Cairo, Egypt (!960), as a professor at the University of Ghana's School of Music and Drama (196o), or as trailblazer alongside Dr. Martin Luther King in the U.S.


Dr. Maya Angelou has a list of published verse, non-fiction, and fiction works that totals more than 30 bestselling titles.


She is a Grammy-award winning artist that has served on two presidential committees, was awarded the Presidential Medal of Arts in 2000, the Lincoln Medal in 2008, and has received over 30 honorary degrees.


What more can I say?


As a fellow poet, Maya Angelou is hands-down my biggest influence in writing. From a young child, her work was placed in front of me, and I fell in love.


Still, she continues to be a creative force, encouraging self-freedom and awakening our consciousness.


Dr. Maya Angelou, you are a Phenomenal Woman I aspire to be like one day.


Thank you for your contribution to the world.


Urstrulee,
KareemaBee
(@yesitskareemab)
Spread Love. Live life. Be Inspired.

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The 'Write' Food

Spring is almost around the corner! Are you looking for a way to lose weight?

Here’s a tip: write your meals down!

I never thought of doing this until I began working on a film set and found myself constantly surrounded by food-GOOD FOOD.

Every hour on the hour, the craft service (small meal-makers) would bring out an assortment of petite meals to eat.

At first, I thought I was in Heaven. After all, a bite or two of a taco won’t hurt much right?

WRONG!

Besides the larger catering service that served an array of larger meals twice a day, I found myself running over to the serving table and looking forward to the next time I was going to eat.

Before I knew it, I had gained weight in places I never knew I could gain weight in!

To help ease my excitement for food, I began to write down every single thing I ingested into my body, and created a simple color-coded log with Microsoft Excel.

When I realized how much I ate, and how much of it was bad for me, I definitely slowed down, and was able to plan what type of foods I would eat and when I would consume them.

Though I did not write down calories, and other specific details, looking at the names of foods was enough for me to become conscious of what I eat, and why I should take better care of myself.

Now, you don’t have to create yours exactly the way I did, but a food diary or simple note taking of your meals can do the trick as well.

Try it out and then drop a buzz.

If would you like to see my copy, email me at kareema@elleelleeye.com

UrsTrulee,

KareemaBee

Spread Love. Live life. Be Inspired.

Pic: blogcritics.com

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BHM SPOTLiGHT: Mary Ann Shadd Cary

Mary Ann Shadd Cary

October 9, 1823 – June 5, 1893

What an inspiring woman Mary Ann Shadd Cary is! She is a pioneer in Journalism, and co-founded "The Provincial Freeman" newspaper in 1853. The paper folded, but was revived in 1859. It promoted temperance, moral reform, civil rights & black self-help; while attacking the racial discrimination blacks faced within North America. In 1883, graduated as a lawyer from Howard University School of Law.


If that's not inspiring, I don't know what is. 

Spread Love. Live life. Be Inspired.

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