Maya Smart

The Most Beautiful Thing about Lupita Nyong’o

Lupita Nyong’o is gorgeous. People magazine got that right when handing her the 2014 “World’s Most Beautiful” title.

We Need Diverse Books to Build Character through Characters

As I watch the #weneeddiversebooks hashtag fly on Twitter, I’m reminded that seeing some element of yourself reflected in the

Service to Others: The Gateway to Leadership?

How Emily Elliott (Principal, St. Edward-Epiphany Catholic School) Makes Things Happen

When Emily Elliott’s oldest child Charlie was ready for kindergarten, she followed him to school, literally, taking a job as a

Do your habits match your expectations?

I gave the Senior Convocation Address for Richmond Public Schools this year and I count the experience among the great privileges

The Case for Raising Your Reading Standards (If You’re Like Me and Don’t Have Any)

A less-is-better ethic is taking hold of my life. Influenced by an eclectic mix of productivity gurus, leadership coaches,

This is How You Learn to Love Your Hair

Dear Zora, This is how you learn to love your hair in a world that requires such lessons. First, you remember who gave you that

The Freshmen ABCs

I was invited to give a Welcome Week speech at VCU and the occasion provided a great opportunity for me to reflect on my college

How Angela Patton (CEO of Girls for a Change) Makes Things Happen

Angela Patton captured the hearts and imaginations of hundreds of thousands of online viewers with a TED talk describing an

My Natural Hair Journey

When I was born on September 14, 1980 in Ravenna, Ohio my Afro was, in large part, unremarkable. It was expected. It was natural.