Maya Angelou

Author, Poet, and Civil Rights Activist, 1928-2014

Maya Angelou, the acclaimed author, poet, and civil rights activist, viewed creativity as both a natural gift and a vital force for human expression. Through her writing and public speaking, she emphasized that creativity was an essential part of living a full and authentic life. Angelou often encouraged people to trust their inner voice, believing that each person carries within them a unique creative spirit that, when nurtured, could inspire not only personal growth but also social change. Her own work reflected her belief in creativity as a tool for resilience and self-discovery, particularly in the face of adversity. 

In a 1982 Bell Telephone Magazine article, Angelou said, “You can’t use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have.”

For Angelou, creativity was also deeply tied to courage and generosity. She often spoke about how the act of creating required vulnerability and risk but also produced renewal and abundance, much like love. This philosophy underscored her larger outlook on life: that creativity is infinite, sustaining, and meant to be shared with the world to uplift and connect people. In this way, Angelou’s thoughts on creativity went beyond the individual artist—they spoke to the human spirit’s enduring capacity to imagine, to heal, and to transform society.

Justice Innovation Lab believes creativity is at the heart of innovation, and we encourage our partner jurisdictions to think creatively to solve hard problems.