Virtual Birthday Celebration! DR. MAYA ANGELOU: A Day of Reading

On April 3, Mayor Allen Joines will officially declare April 4th as the “The Dr. Maya Angelou Day of Reading” with a virtual proclamation. All are encouraged to read and share the uplifting words of Dr. Angelou starting on Friday April 3 and through her birthday on April 4.
Mission: A day to honor the legacy and world-renowned reach of Dr. Maya Angelou’s voice as a writer, teacher and advocate for universal literacy.
Purpose : In celebration of her birthday, the community of Winston Salem and Forsyth County aims to learn, teach and give inspirational literacy projects and programs to students based on her impactful poetry and books. If Dr. Angelou’s words inspire the next generation to read, engage and learn by her example, it will be the greatest gift she could ever receive.
2020 Theme: “Still I Rise” by Dr. Maya Angelou
Launch Date: Friday April 3
The Ask: Amid this global pandemic kindness is also contagious. April 3 – 4, we would like you to demonstrate an act of kindness with a virtual chain reaction birthday celebration in honor of Dr. Maya Angelou on social media.
The hashtag #DRAngelouGift will help link our virtual chain so that others can participate in the celebration!! (DR for Doctor & Day of Reading) Below are several options of ways you can participate:
Read the poem Still I Rise individually or call someone and read it to them.
Share the poem Still I Rise with someone you know through social media using the hashtag #DRAngelouGift on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.
Use #DRAngelouGift to post a photo of the poem on social media.
Use #DRAngelouGift to post a video of you reading a line or a stanza from the poem that you like and share what that means to you on social media.
Use #DRAngelouGift to share a memory or a thought about Dr. Angelou and her influence across the world.
Use #DRAngelouGift to post your interpretation of what the poem means to you.
Use #DRAngelouGift to post the enclosed YouTube video of the Dr. Angelou about being kind to others on social media.
Use #DRAngelouGift to share an act of kindness for someone on social media.
The Dr. Maya Angelou Day of Reading Committee
Yolanda Bolden – Forsyth County Manager of Community & Neighborhood Library Branches
Karla Mounts – Founder of Soy Emprendedor
Redge Hanes – Businessman, Author and longtime friend of Dr. Maya Angelou
Sylvia Sprinkle – Hamlin National Black Theatre Festival Executive Director
Bettie Clay – Former Office Manager to Dr. Maya Angelou
Felicia Piggott-Long – Educator
Judge Denise Hartsfield – Forsyth County District Court Judge
Talitha Vickers – WXII 12 News Anchor and Student Mentor