Finding Our Voice: The Courage to Express Ourselves (inspired by the life of Maya Angelou)
Each one of us is a unique expression of the universe. There will never be another individual with our specific configuration of DNA and the talents that stem from it. That's why we all have something to say, whether expressed through art, science, numbers, imagination, or thoughts.
The remarkable life of Maya Angelou, a legendary memoirist, poet, and civil rights activist, is an exemplary example of exploring the deeper dimensions of who we are and sharing that with the world, and using the happenings in our life to form a coherent storyline that can serve others.
She tapped into every avenue possible to express her voice and talents, from writing books and composing poetry to dancing, acting, singing, and directing. That's why she's the perfect icon to showcase in this discussion on finding and expressing our voice with courage and conviction.
I invited Tiffany Obeng to explore Maya Angelou's life and the lessons we can glean from it. Tiffany is a lawyer and author of several educational and inspiring children's picture books, including one about Maya Angelou. Tiffany creates books featuring Black children and families in spaces where they have historically been absent and in normal everyday situations. In this way, all children are normalized and humanized, and the world can be made a safer place for them.
Learn more about Tiffany Obeng and her books at her website.
Interview timestamps:
07:50 ︳Tiffany explains what drew you to Maya Angelou's work and why she thought her story would be inspirational for children
10:40 ︳What Maya's struggle to find her own voice symbolizes
12:50 ︳The importance of finding mentors and a supportive community
13:40 ︳How Maya's work encourages women to tell their stories and speak their truths
16:20 ︳Why Maya is a strong role model for women in the African-American community
18:50 ︳Tiffany describes her experience of being in Maya Angelou's presence and how it impacted
20:20 ︳How Maya stood up for herself and values
22:27 ︳Decoding Maya's seminal work "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" and its lessons
24:09 ︳The importance of sharing our voice and using our platform responsibly in the age of social media
26:40 ︳Maya's dedication to advocating for tolerance, equality, and justice and how it inspires us to stand up for causes that are important to us
29:20 ︳How Maya's legacy inspires Tiffany in her mission to educate the younger generation through her books
30:30 ︳Key takeaways from Maya Angelou's life