Maya Angelou is one of the world’s most beloved writers, poets and activists. Over her long and illustrious career, she lived in several American cities, each bringing something unique and valuable to her life. Here’s an overview of some of the places where Maya called ‘home.’
St. Louis, Missouri was the first home of Maya Angelou, who was born and raised in the city. While there, she married a Greek sailor and bore a son. Sadly, the marriage ended in disaster and she was forced to return to her parents’ home in California.
In the early 1950s, Maya Angelou relocated to San Francisco and landed a job in the civil rights movement. She founded the popular Calypso Bistro and began using her voice to bring attention to social injustice. In 1954, she began to tour the world as a composer, singer, and musician.
Maya Angelou also lived in Egypt and Ghana, two countries that were instrumental in facilitating her growth as a writer. During this time, Angelou worked as a newspaper editor, a magazine columnist and a lecturer. She retained her strong connection to the civil rights movement and advocated for the end of colonialism.
Angelou eventually returned to the United States where she lived in North Carolina and New York. During this period, she wrote some of her most famous works including I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings and A Brave and Startling Truth. In North Carolina, she was a professor at Wake Forest University and became an active fundraiser for civil rights organizations.
Many of Maya Angelou’s books, poems, and plays were written during her stay in Jamaica, a place where she truly felt a sense of freedom. Charmed by the island, she wrote an ode to Jamaica, an ode to the people and a love letter to the beautiful surroundings.
Towards the end of her life, Maya Angelou lived in Berkeley, California. It was here that she wrote two autobiographies and became a professor at the college. She continued to use her voice to advocate for peace and social justice and her influence was felt around the world.
St. Louis, Missouri
The beginning of life for Maya Angelou can be traced back to St. Louis, Missouri. Born and raised in the city, she married a Greek sailor, bore a son, and tragically had to return to her parents’ home in California.
Although the city of St. Louis has changed drastically since Angelou’s day, many of the same places still remain. Angelou would feel right at home in the jazz halls of St. Louis, which were a close source of inspiration for her during her time in the city.
Moreover, it was in St. Louis that Angelou’s writing career truly took shape. During her teenage years she began to explore the language in her diaries, and would often recite her poems to her friends.
Angelou’s love for the city has been noticeable throughout her life, with the city being mentioned often in her books and poems. Her 1967 poem “Missouri Waltz” even chronicles her love for St. Louis and the people who inhabit it.
It was in St. Louis that Maya was exposed to racism and violence, the lack of security and the corrupt institutions, but it was also in the city that her writing career started to take shape. That’s why the city of St. Louis will always play an important role in the life of Maya Angelou.
San Francisco
In the early 1950s, Maya Angelou moved to the city of San Francisco and found herself a job at the civil rights movement. She started the Calypso Bistro and began using her voice to seek attention to social injustice.
San Francisco has presented a unique lifestyle to the writer, giving her access to culture, diversity, and a place to express herself freely. It was in the city that she finally found the confidence to talk about her experience in an honest way, and since then she has made her mark as one of the most inspirational writers of our time.
Angelou’s love for San Francisco has been apparent for many years. She has even said herself that the city has “allowed her to see the world beyond the boundaries of her skin”.
Apart from her activism, Angelou also wrote some of her most famous works while living in San Francisco. I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings and A Brave and Startling Truth were both written during this period, and she also became a professor at San Francisco State University.
For Angelou, San Francisco was a city of possibility, and it represented a place for new beginnings. For that reason, the city will always be special in the memories of Maya Angelou.
Egypt and Ghana
For a period, Maya Angelou lived in Egypt and Ghana and this time in her life was extremely important for her growth as a woman, a writer and an activist.
In Egypt and Ghana, she worked as a newspaper editor, magazine columnist, and lecturer, and her strong connection to the civil rights movement was maintained. She strived to put an end to colonialism and fought for a more inclusive society.
Angelou’s experiences in the two countries inspired much of her later writing, particularly her autobiography I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings. The book is a testament to her evolution and the hardships she faced during her stay in Egypt and Ghana.
The two countries also helped to foster Angelou’s appreciation of cultures and people from around the world. During her travels, she met many interesting people, heard different stories, tasted new foods, and enjoyed the beauty of nature.
Angelou’s time in Egypt and Ghana formed an important part of her life. These experiences helped shape her writing and gave her the tools she needed to become a voice for social justice.
North Carolina and New York
On her return to the United States, Maya Angelou moved to North Carolina and New York, a period which saw her write some of her most famous works, including I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings and A Brave and Startling Truth.
In North Carolina, she was a professor at Wake Forest University and became a very active fundraiser for civil rights organizations. This period of her life allowed her to gain a further understanding of racism and oppression.
In New York, Angelou worked as a biographer and poet. One of the highlights of this period was that she read one of her poems, “On The Pulse of Morning,” at the 1993 inauguration of President Bill Clinton.
The period in North Carolina and New York further solidified her reputation as a powerful and influential voice of the civil rights movement. She solidified her place in history and became a symbol of courage and hope.
The two states provided Angelou with stability, support, and hope, during a period when the majority of her work was written and published.
Jamaica
Maya Angelou had a strong connection to Jamaica, a place where she felt a sense of freedom. She wrote an ode to the island, a love letter to its people, and a hymn dedicated to its beauty.
During her stay in Jamaica, Angelou wrote some of her most interesting works, and it was here where she found her rhythm. Much of her writing stemmed from the insights she gained from being in the Caribbean.
Angelou also recalled being awed by the beauty of Jamaica, and this is something that she would often share with her readers. In her poem “The Singer” she describes her love for the land and its people in vivid detail.
Jamaica was a place of solace for Angelou, and the island provided her with the peace and clarity she needed to write her best work. Her writings about Jamaica are a testament to her love and appreciation of the place.
Jamaica will always be a special place in Angelou’s life, as it provided her with a sense of freedom that she was longing for, and allowed her to write some of her most influential works.
Berkeley, California
Towards the end of her life, Maya Angelou spent most of her time in Berkeley, California. It was during this period that she wrote two autobiographies and became a professor at a local college.
Berkeley filled Angelou’s days with amazing experiences and gave her the opportunity to meet people from all walks of life. In her autobiography, she often mentions her time in Berkeley, talking about the vibrant nature of the city and its inhabitants.
Angelou also took advantage of the city’s close distance to Oakland, a place she was very fond of. She often explored the city’s East Oakland neighborhood and frequented the theaters, which inspired much of her later work.
Berkeley was an important part of Angelou’s life and her influence was felt all around the world. She continued to be active in the civil rights movement and use her voice to advocate for peace and social justice.
The city was a perfect backdrop for Angelou’s activities as a professor, writer, and activist. It was in Berkeley that she wrote and published her final works and continued to use her platform to make a difference.
