“People will forget what you said. People will forget what you did. But people will never forget how you made them feel.” – Maya Angelou
Speaking to a standing room only crowd, Colin Johnson, grandson of Dr. Maya Angelou made everybody feel like somebody as he shared what life was like growing up with the famed poet and author.
Johnson’s appearance launched the inaugural Flagler Tiger Bay After Dark event, pairing an intellectually stimulating speaker with a more casual, intimate setting for the Flagler Tiger Bay Club.
Guests were eager to hear more about the life and views of Angelou, peppering the speaker with a variety of questions, many focusing on humanity and creating a better, more civil society.
“The very first meeting of the Flagler Tiger Bay After Dark was held this past Wednesday at Crave’s Coastal Kitchen in Flagler Beach. Many of us have worked on building this group and having this event for a little more than a year. We could not have opened with a better speaker,” said Flagler Tiger Bay Club board member Gail Wadsworth.
“Colin Johnson is the grandson of America’s poet laureate, Maya Angelou. He spoke beautifully and with love of her, his life with her and consequently made all of us laugh and many of us cry. As we were leaving, so many said they wished to become part of us. Those were terrific words to hear. It was a fantastic beginning. What will the encore bring?”
Invited to the area by Flagler Tiger Bay Club President Greg Davis, Johnson talked afterward about the impact Davis has had on his life as a friend and mentor, and the close friendship between Davis’ wife Jacqueline and his grandmother.
Davis was pleased to launch the Flagler Tiger Bay After Dark series as part of a legacy for the organization he co-founded alongside Don Madden.
“Part of Flagler Tiger Bay Club’s near and long-term growth is tied to continuing to expand our multi-generational membership,” said Davis.
“Tiger Bay After Dark is open to all but uniquely targeted to our Young Executives where in their stage of career development, luncheon meetings are not always an option. Having Colin Johnson, grandson of Dr. Maya Angelou as our Tiger Bay After Dark launch speaker sets the bar as to what our Young Executives and other members should expect at future Tiger Bay After Dark quarterly evening events.”
The Flagler Tiger Bay Club has established a reputation as one of the premier organizations for political and civic engagement in northeast and Central Florida, attracting state and national speakers to the monthly luncheons.
Since launching in 2018, the Flagler Tiger Bay Club has hosted high profile speakers including retired Florida State University President John Thrasher, former U. S. Congressmen John Mica and Jason Altmire, civil rights activist and author Dr. Robert Brown, former U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Constance Newman, PHARMA Deputy Vice President Sharon A. Lamberton, Florida Director of Emergency Management Kevin Guthrie, AT&T Florida President Joe York, and Florida Speaker Paul Renner.
The Flagler Tiger Bay Club meets the third Wednesday of the month at the Hammock Dunes Club in Palm Coast.
For more information, visit www.FlaglerTigerBayClub.com.
