Maya Angelou had a lifelong love of learning that began in earnest at an early age. She had no formal education before her college years, and began attending George Washington High School in San Francisco at the age of 14. Upon graduation, she attended California Labor School and the University of California, Berkeley, although she did not graduate from either institution.
It was during her college years that Maya Angelou developed an interest in the theater, which she pursued by taking acting classes at the California Labor School, as well as attending the Desinel Playhouse. After two years at Berkeley, she moved to New York in 1950 and studied modern dance with Martha Graham. She eventually attended the Progressive Party School in New York, where she studied Democratic Party organizing.
It was also in New York that Maya Angelou’s college career took a dramatic turn when she was accepted into the Writers’ Workshop at the City College of New York. There, she studied poetry with novelist John Henrik Clarke and chemist and playwright Kwame Sefu. She began writing her memoir I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings while at CCNY and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English in 1959.
Angelou continued her college experience by attending the University of Ghana in Accra, the capital city. At Ghana, she studied the African-American oral tradition and African culture. She also worked toward a Master of Fine Arts degree in Drama, though she did not officially receive her degree until she began teaching at the University of Arkansas in 1972.
Though her college years were varied, Maya Angelou’s educational experiences certainly contributed to the remarkable life she would live. From progressive politics to a highly respected literary career, her college years were instrumental in helping her to shape her life’s work.
George Washington High School
Maya Angelou’s college education began in earnest when she attended George Washington High School in San Francisco. Though she had no formal education before this, she was able to grasp the basics of grammar and language quickly, making her one of the standout students in the school. It was also during this time that Maya Angelou fell in love with the theater, a lifelong passion that only increased as she continued her college education.
At George Washington, Angelou worked with the drama teacher, Jessie Binford Brown, on a number of productions, including a performance of the Greek tragedy Electra in mixed-race, intercultural sets. She also wrote a number of plays and had one of them, Cabaret for Freedom, produced at the school.
George Washington High School proved to be an important time of growth for Maya Angelou. She was challenged to develop her skills and broaden her understanding of theater, politics, language and literature. Her education was also introduced to an awareness of the African-American experience through literature, music and history.
California Labor School and University of California, Berkeley
After successfully graduating from George Washington High School at the age of 14, Angelou went on to attend two higher education institutions. First, she enrolled at the California Labor School, where she studied the performing arts, particularly dance and theater. Though she did not earn her degree from the school, it was an important part of her college experience as it allowed her to discover and experiment with new forms of performance and artistry.
Next, she attended the University of California, Berkeley. Additionally, she took classes in English, Spanish and world religion as part of her college career. Berkeley was also where Angelou’s political activist roots shifted and grew. She joined a number of organizations, such as the magazine Magpie, the Socialism Club and the Casa Esperanza, which served to further her passions and expand her horizons.
Though Maya Angelou did not receive a degree from either the California Labor School or University of California, Berkeley, she was able to gain a great deal of knowledge and experience from her college years. Her studies in the performing arts, in addition to her involvement in activism helped shape the woman she would eventually become.
City College of New York
In 1950, Angelou moved to New York City with her son and enrolled at the City College of New York. She was accepted into the Writers’ Workshop and there, she studied under mentor John Henrik Clarke, a renowned novelist and African-American scholar. Though she did not formally receive a degree from CCNY, she was able to gain a great deal from her college experience.
While she was at City College of New York, Angelou was able to hone her skills in poetry and writing. She was able to take classes in a range of topics, from American literature to Shakespeare. It was during this time that Angelou made lasting connections and broadened her knowledge of African-American literature through her studies with Clarke.
In 1959, Maya Angelou graduated from CCNY with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English. She also began to work on her first memoir, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, which would be published the following year and become an international bestseller. Though she did not receive an official degree, this time at CCNY was a pivotal part of Angelou’s college experience and helped shape her into who she would become.
University of Ghana
After graduating from City College of New York, Angelou moved to Ghana, where she studied at the University of Ghana in Accra. There, she studied the African-American oral tradition and African culture and music. Angelou also studied drama and writing, and worked toward a Master of Fine Arts degree. She did not, however, officially receive her degree until she began teaching at the University of Arkansas in 1972.
Her studies Ghana not only helped her to deepen her understanding of the African-American experience, but also to gain a new perspective on the world. Her travels and academic pursuits helped to shape her work and her outlook on life, and her time at the University of Ghana was an important part of her growth as an individual and as a writer.
Conclusion
Maya Angelou’s college education was extremely varied, but each experience was deeply influential in helping to shape her into the accomplished and respected artist and writer she would become. From her early college years at high school, to the Progressive Party School in New York, to the University of Ghana in Accra, the legacy of Angelou’s college experience can still be felt today.
