Featured Poet: Maya Angelou

Marguerite Annie Johnson, known to many as Maya Angelou, was born on April 4, 1928, in St. Louis, Missouri. She was a well-known poet, memoirist and civil rights activist. She is best known for her autobiography entitled “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings”. She has published a total of three essay books, seven autobiographies and several poetry books. Her journey to a poet and writer came after working multiple jobs during her young adulthood. She has won over 50 honorary degrees and more than 54 major awards, even after she passed away.

Maya Angelou at a poetry reading

When Angelou was three years old she and her four-year-old brother were sent to Stamps, Arkansas by their father to live with their grandmother. Four years later, Angelou’s father came to Stamps and sent the children back to live with their mother. At the age of eight, Angelou was sexually assaulted by her mother’s boyfriend. She had told her brother, who told the rest of her family. Her mother’s boyfriend, Freeman, was found guilty however he was only jailed for one day. Four days after the release of Freeman, he was murdered. It is said that Maya’s protective uncles were the ones who had murdered him. Angelou blamed herself for the death of Freeman and became mute for 5 years. She said that she had thought that her voice had killed him. She didn’t speak because she thought her voice would kill. Maya was sent back to live with her grandmother when she met Mrs. Bertha Flowers, a teacher who had challenged her and introduced her to some of the greatest authors to exist.

Angelou's writing career began in the 1950s when she moved to New York City and joined the Harlem Writers Guild. It was during this time that she began to hone her craft and develop her unique voice. She wrote and performed in a number of off-Broadway productions, and she also began to publish her work in literary magazines and journals.

Angelou's breakthrough came in 1969 with the publication of her memoir, "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings." The book was a critical and commercial success, and it became an instant classic. It was also a groundbreaking work in many ways, as it was one of the first books to candidly explore issues of race, gender, and identity through a personal narrative.

Over the course of her career, Angelou published over 30 books, including poetry collections, autobiographies, and essay collections. Her work was known for its lyricism, honesty, and ability to speak to the human experience in a profound and meaningful way. She was a master storyteller who could weave together complex themes and emotions with grace and ease.

In addition to her writing, Angelou was also a powerful speaker and performer. She delivered numerous speeches and lectures throughout her lifetime, and she was known for her ability to captivate and inspire audiences with her words. She was a tireless advocate for social justice and equality, and she used her platform to speak out against racism, sexism, and other forms of oppression.

She passed away on May 28th, 2014, in North Carolina, due to natural causes.