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Easton’s Shiloh Community Services, Inc., will sponsor “An Evening with Maya Angelou” on Saturday, September 25. The world-renowned author, educator, producer, director, actress, and civil-rights activist will deliver a public lecture at 7:30 p.m. at Lafayette College’s Allan P. Kirby Sports Center.
Proceeds will benefit Shiloh Community Services, a non-profit agency dedicated to empowering individuals and families and promoting self-sufficiency in the community. Founded in 1995 and headquartered in Larry Holmes’ former training center on Easton’s South Side, Shiloh Community Services is affiliated with Shiloh Baptist Church. Among other activities, Shiloh Community Services partners with business firms, non-profit organizations, and government agencies to conducts programs on job skills, business skills, family financial planning, investment management, computer literacy, and others.
Tickets are priced at $20 and will go on sale this month. To reserve tickets or obtain more information, call Shiloh Community Services, (610) 253-4297 or toll free, (888) 263-5718. Group ticket plans and corporate sponsorship plans are available.
Lafayette College is assisting in hosting Angelou, who spoke and received an honorary degree at Lafayette’s 164th commencement May 22. She is the author of 11 best-selling books, including I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings. Perhaps her best-known work, this autobiographical account of her childhood, published in 1970, was nominated for a National Book Award. Two volumes of her poetry, Just Give Me a Cool Drink of Water ‘fore I Die (1971) and And Still I Rise (1978), were nominated for the Pulitzer Prize. Angelou is Reynolds Professor of American Studies at Wake Forest University, a lifetime post to which she was appointed in 1981.
Angelou is the first woman and the first African American to read her work at the inauguration of a U.S. president. She read her poem “On the Pulse of Morning,” composed for the occasion, at Bill Clinton’s inauguration in January 1993. Angelou won a Grammy Award for best spoken word or non-traditional album for her recording of the poem.
“The evening with Maya Angelou is a great opportunity to raise much-needed revenue that will enable us take important steps in our ongoing effort to enrich and improve life in our community,” said Pastor Fred Davis of Shiloh Baptist Church. “We’re grateful for the assistance of Lafayette College. Like our church, the College has deep roots in Easton and a deep commitment to making it a better place.”
Lafayette President Arthur J. Rothkopf said, “I am pleased that Lafayette College is helping Shiloh Community Services fulfill its important mission. We greatly admire the work of Pastor Davis and his church, which is an outstanding institution in our community.”
Founded in 1904, Shiloh Baptist Church now has more than 900 active members. Davis has been pastor for 25 years. To honor his quarter-century of service the City of Easton proclaimed last March 21 “Pastor Fred Davis Day.” On May 2, Lafayette students cited the church for actively supporting and enhancing student life at Lafayette at the College’s annual Aaron O. Hoff Awards ceremony.