Maya Angelou, the iconic author and poet, had a significant presence in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Angelou spent more than half a century in the city and called Winston-Salem home. From 1945-1949, she resided at her mother’s apartment located in the East Winston neighborhood. During this time, Angelou attended Winston-Salem Teachers College, studying English and performing at the Carolina Playmakers Theatre. Following the completion of her studies, she ventured to New York City to pursue acting, joining the Harlem Writer’s Guild upon her return. Upon leaving New York in 1952, Angelou returned to Winston-Salem and moved back in with her mother in the East Winston area.
In 1954, Angelou married local barber, Tosh Angelos. With her husband, Angelou moved to the historic Happy Hill neighborhood. The couple spent more than three years in the area, during which time Angelou opened a coffee shop called the nickname “Heart of Gold”. The coffee shop catered to a predominantly African American clientele, with Angelou serving coffee, pastries, and sandwiches at the shop. After the couple divorced in 1957, Angelou returned to the East Winston neighborhood to live with her mother and worked at a beauty shop downtown on 6th Street.
In 1960, Angelou married Enistasious Tosh and moved to California with him. The couple eventually moved back to North Carolina in 1968 and settled in the Williamsburg area. During this time, Angelou’s first book was published, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings. This book began her legendary career and made her an established author in the city of Winston-Salem. The following year, she received an honorary doctorate from Wake Forest University.
In 1972, Angelou returned to the Happy Hill neighborhood. She moved into a historic residence, which was a two-story white wood house. Angelou referred to the house as her “third heaven”, spending hours reflecting and composing poetry on the porch. Her presence could be seen throughout the city, visiting local clubs and the symphony hall. She was a frequent visitor of the historic Carolina Theatre, where she would host readings of her books and poetry. Angelou also spent much of her time visiting and mentoring elementary school children, often inviting them to the bookstores to purchase her books.
Throughout her time in Winston-Salem, Angelou was a visible and welcomed member of the community. Her presence was felt throughout the city and her talent for writing made her a local celebrity. Angelou considered Winston-Salem her home, and it is where she resided the longest in her life until her death in 2014.
Happy Hill Neighborhood
The Happy Hill neighborhood is a historically African-American neighborhood located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. During the first half of the 20th century, the area was predominantly home to black residents and was a safe haven for those seeking to escape racial prejudice and segregation. The area was home to a variety of African American owned and operated businesses, most notably Maya Angelou’s coffee shop, the “Heart of Gold”. The area has since gone through a period of gentrification, with new businesses and developments rapidly taking up residence. Although much has changed since Angelou’s time in Winston-Salem, the historic neighborhood is still a source of pride and a reminder of her presence in the area.
Angelou’s Contributions to Winston-Salem
Maya Angelou was highly influential in Winston-Salem and made many lasting contributions to the city. During her time in Happy Hill, Angelou opened a coffee shop, the “Heart of Gold”, which catered to the predominantly African American community. Angelou’s presence was also felt in the local arts and culture scene, visiting the Carolina Theatre where she would host readings of her books and poetry. She was also a frequent visitor of the local clubs, where she would hold nightly jam sessions and poetry readings. Angelou made time to mentor and visit with the children of Winston-Salem, often inviting them to the bookstores to purchase her books. Angelou had a significant presence in Winston-Salem and it is safe to say that her legacy still remains in the city today.
Angelou’s Legacy in Winston-Salem
Maya Angelou left a lasting legacy in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. From her coffee shop, “Heart of Gold”, to her many readings and performances around the city, Angelou was an iconic force in the community. Her presence was a source of pride and hope for many of the city’s residents and her books remain an inspiration to many of Winston-Salem’s new generation. Angelou was a beloved member of the community and her contributions to the city will never be forgotten.
Angelou’s Residences in Winston-Salem
During her time in Winston-Salem, Maya Angelou lived in several residences. During her first tenure in the city, she lived with her mother in the East Winston area. In 1954, Angelou moved to the historic Happy Hill neighborhood where she opened a coffee shop called the “Heart of Gold”. After her divorce in 1957, Angelou briefly moved back to East Winston before departing for California with her second husband. Upon returning to Winston-Salem in 1968, Angelou and her husband moved to the Williamsburg area. Finally, in 1972, Angelou moved to her “third heaven”, a two story white wood house in the Happy Hill neighborhood. This would be her final residence in Winston-Salem until her death in 2014.
Maya Angelou’s Community Presence in Winston-Salem
Maya Angelou had a significant presence in the Winston-Salem community. She was a frequent visitor of the local clubs, where she would host nightly jam sessions and poetry readings. At the Carolina Theatre, she hosted readings of her books and poetry, sharing her words with the city’s residents. Angelou was also active in the mentorship of the city’s children, inviting them to the bookstores to purchase her books. Angelou was a highly visible and beloved member of the Winston-Salem community and her presence will never be forgotten.
Conclusion
Maya Angelou had a long and strong history with the city of Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Not only did she call the city her home, but she was an influential part of the community, visiting local clubs, hosting poetry readings, and mentoring the city’s children. Angelou left a lasting legacy in the city of Winston-Salem and her memory lives on in the hearts and minds of the generations that have followed.
