Maya Angelou, the revered American poet and author, died in the morning of May 28, 2014, at the age of 86 in her Winston-Salem, North Carolina home. According to her son, Guy B. Johnson, the cause of death was reported to be heart related and she had been under hospice care for some time due to her health failing.
She captured the imagination of many generations with her powerful words and her life story. Starting out as an aspiring singer, she did many gigs as a backup singer for B.B. King and recorded tracks for jazz greats like Miles Davis and John Coltrane. At the same time she was writing her first volumes of poetry, including her first publication in 1959, “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings”.
At the core of her writing was the idea that everyone’s voice was important and had value. Whether it was in literature or in her acting career, her works had a universal message to love yourself, embrace your story, and have strength of character. Her themes of resilience, faith, and determination inspired countless others to strive for success despite the cards life dealt them.
In addition to her writing and acting, she was invited to speak at esteemed events such as Bill Clinton’s inauguration and Oprah’s Legends Ball. She also served on various boards and committees, ran a business consultancy, and received over thirty honorary degrees. To recognize her impactful lifetime services, she was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor.
Maya Angelou was an important and inspiring voice to generations, combining strong storytelling with a talent for language and a deep appreciation of the human experience. Her legacy carries on in numerous annals and the journals she left behind.
Poetry and Music
Maya Angelou was a renowned poet and author, who was also an accomplished musician. Her poetic works spoke of many issues, such as racial injustice, and were delivered with an unparalleled flair and poise which captivated generations. Collections such as I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings, spoken word albums, and collaborations with the likes of Jill Scott, helped to solidify her literary and musical presence.
Maya Angelou wrote with a unique and powerful voice, which combined her own experiences with the struggles of others and lent a universal quality to her work. She conveyed messages of faith and empowerment in her compositions, as heard in her 1988 Good Morning Heartache, as well as her 2002 Call Me When You Get There. Her concise and expressive words made her poems instantly recognizable, and timeless in the way they provoke positive change in us all.
In addition to the writing of her poetry, Maya Angelou was a singer and recording artist. She backed B.B. King, Jarred Hutton, and other legendary singers. She also recorded three albums in her lifetime, including Miss Calypso, which was released in 1957. Her mellow and soulful vocal range was suited for any style, from blues to jazz, and her music was just as powerful as her writing.
Maya Angelou was a figurehead and an example of what can be achieved through the discovery of your unique voice and sharing it in creative and courageous ways. Her influence stretched far and wide as she was invited to speak at eminent gatherings such as Bill Clinton’s inauguration and Oprah Winfrey’s Legends Ball.
Acting and Media Appearances
Maya Angelou’s life story had a remarkable quality to it, which made her immediately relatable. Hence, when it came to acting, she brought a certain charisma to the screen that was acknowledged by both audiences and critics alike. Notably, she won the Fox Foundation’s Grant for her roles in Mother Courage and her Children, and Porgy and Bess.
Maya Angelou, over her career, had various roles in films and television series, but found better success in appearances on talk and variety shows such as The Oprah Winfrey Show, The Today Show, and The Late Show with David Letterman. During these appearances, she delivered profound insight with her sharp wit and humour, something that made her stand out from her contemporaries.
In addition to appearing on talks shows, Maya Angelou also featured in interviews for various outlets such as the BBC. During these interviews, she shared her experiences with the media and talked about her approach to life. Notably, her interview with the Guardian was acclaimed by many, as was her episode on the 3rd Street Black History Museum which was broadcast in 1993.
Maya Angelou’s presence was also found in the world of radio and podcasts. An example of this was her interview on the National Public Radio by Tavis Smiley, in which she discussed influential authors, among other topics. Further, her autobiography was featured in 12 episodes of another National Public Radio program, entitled This I believe, which focused on her life and the impact of her writing on others.
Maya Angelou was not just an actress. She was a figure of positive influence for us all, tirelessly striving for others to recognize the beauty and power of embracing one’s story, and letting it shape our lives.
Sponsorships and Consultancy
Maya Angelou was a proponent of reflection and understanding in a highly competitive environment. Towards this end, she served on various boards and committees, and developed her own business consultancy model. Audiences were enthralled by her motivational takeaways on how to gain personal growth.
In 1995, Maya Angelou was invited to be one of the first Black women spokesperson for the L’Oreal hair care products. This distinguished her as a leader and a trendsetter in the field of marketing. Additionally, she served as the NAACP Image Awards Global Ambassador, a move that helped the award-winning event become one the most celebrated African-American honor ceremonies.
In 2008, Maya Angelou received the lifetime achievement award from the World Humanities Conference. The premier award honored her contributions towards the sciences, media and beyond. Her plans for the future included the establishment of a media company that focused on projects with positive messages, much in line with her lifelong personal brand of truth, commitment and peace.
Not just a leader in her domain, Maya Angelou was an inspiration to many and generated numerous business opportunities. Business proposals ranged from fashion lines to books, movies, and personal care items. Further, she was the ambassador of a petition campaign to the United Nations by Individuals Against Social Issues, a position that encouraged her to continue voicing her views on social identity, even after she had retired.
Maya Angelou imparted words of encouragement and hope which many of us cherish to this day. Through her consultancy, she mobilized people everywhere to celebrate their potential and to make a positive difference in the world.
Personal Life, Friendships, and Achievements
Maya Angelou was a champion for positive change and a beacon of hope for many. At the same time, her personal life was just as complex and interesting as her works. She and her family moved around a fair bit as she was growing up and this gave her a unique insight into the world.
Apparently, Maya Angelou enjoyed being a mother and grandmother, but she was rarely seen in public with her family members, due to a shared agreement between them. However, many of her friends, such as Oprah Winfrey, shared anecdotes of the profound and caring relationship she had with her family.
Turning to her achievements, Maya Angelou took many walks of life and gained full mastery in all of them. She won numerous awards, including the 1995 Lifetime Achievement Award at the 10th World Humanities Conference, and the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor, which she was presented in 2011 by President Barack Obama.
Throughout her life, Maya Angelou made remarkable contributions to the world, both in culture and in philanthropy. As a token of appreciation and recognition of her hard work, she was presented with over thirty honorary degrees. Some of these included the Doctorate of Humanities from Smith College and a Doctorate of Laws from Decorah College.
Maya Angelou was an influential figure for many, and her life of humble beginnings whilst staying true to her convictions, her words of wisdom, and her courage and pursuit of success, will live on in the minds of all who were inspired by her.
