Maya Angelou’s poem “Still I Rise” is always empowering, and Sunday, June 7, to Black women artists joined forces to offer a special performance for this year’s graduates. As part of the YouTube “Dear Class of 2020” virtual beginning, Janelle Monáe, Kelly Rowland, Misty Copeland, Shonda Rhimes, Tracee Ellis Ross, and Yara Shahidi recited the piece with Madison Calley in the harp and Naya Lovell dance.
The women took turns reciting iconic lines such as, “does my sassiness upset you? Why are you filled with sadness? Because I walk like I’ve got oil wells pumping in my living room.” Clips of Angelou she also is included to put it all together. Watch the full video above to see the pretty version of yourself.
