Professor, author, poet, performer and civil rights activist Dr. Maya Angelou is set to be the keynote speaker for the ribbon cutting ceremony of the North Carolina A&T State University Behavioral Health Clinic on Aug. 13 at 11 a.m. in Harrison Auditorium.

N.C. A&T’s Department of Human Development and Services in the School of Education has created the clinic within the Center for Behavioral Health and Wellness out of the belief that all people in need of services should be able to receive them.

“We’re very excited to be opening the clinic and thrilled to have Dr. Angelou to officially kick off our opening as we strive to reach our mission of helping meet the needs of the people of our community,” executive director Dr. Kelly Graves said.

The clinic will offer comprehensive clinical assessments, psychological testing, outpatient individual and group therapy as well as marriage counseling/couples therapy, medication management, support groups, peer support and advocacy programs and wellness experiences.

Graves said Angelou was their first choice for a keynote speaker but they weren’t sure they would be able to get her.

“We were brainstorming about the opening and we were trying to focus on empowerment and thought Dr. Angelou would be great,” Graves said.

“We wanted to have someone who has shared their professional and personal stories about behavioral health who could display empowerment, strength and hope. She is a pillar of empowerment, strength and hope.”

The clinic staff includes licensed professional counselors, clinical psychologists, licensed clinical social workers, certified substance abuse counselors, psychiatrists and specialized advocates. The professionals specialize in conditions such as depression, anxiety, anger management, substance abuse, additions, bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, domestic violence, eating disorders, etc.

Angelou is a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Arts, the Lincoln Medal, a three-time Grammy Award winner and a Pulitzer Prize nominee. She has received more than 30 honorary degrees and was named the first Reynolds Professor of American Studies at Wake Forest University, where she is currently teaching one course.