Maya Angelou was an American writer, starlet, screenwriter, professional dancer, poet as well as civil rights lobbyist best recognized for her 1969 narrative, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, that made literary history as the first nonfiction bestseller by an African American lady. Angelou obtained numerous honors throughout her occupation, including two NAACP Picture Awards in the outstanding composition (nonfiction) group, in 2005 as well as 2009..
Early Life.
Angelou was born on April 4, 1928, in St. Louis, Missouri. Angelou had a hard childhood years. Her parents broke up when she was really young, and also she and also her older brother, Bailey, were sent out to live with their daddy’s mom, Anne Henderson, in Stamps, Arkansas.
As an African American, Angelou experienced firsthand racial prejudices and also discrimination in Arkansas. She also suffered by a family members connect around the age of 7: During a browse through with her mommy, Angelou was raped by her mother’s guy. As vengeance for the sexual offense, Angelou’s uncles eliminated the guy.
So traumatized by the experience, Angelou stopped talking. She went back to Arkansas and also spent years as a digital mute.
Education.
During World War II, Angelou moved to San Francisco, California. There she won a scholarship to study dancing as well as acting at the California Labor College.
Likewise during this moment, Angelou came to be the first Black female cable car conductor– a task she held just quickly– in San Francisco.
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Acting and Singing Job.
In the mid-1950s, Angelou’s job as a performer began to remove. She landed a function in a touring production of Porgy and also Bess, later on showing up in the off-Broadway production Calypso Heat Wave ( 1957) as well as launching her first album, Miss Calypso ( 1957 ).
A member of the Harlem Writers Guild and a civil liberties activist, Angelou organized and also starred in the musical performance Cabaret for Liberty as an advantage for the Southern Christian Management Seminar, additionally functioning as the SCLC’s northern organizer.
In 1961, Angelou appeared in an off-Broadway production of Jean Genet’s The Blacks with James Earl Jones, Lou Gossett Jr. as well as Cicely Tyson.
Angelou went on to earn a Tony Award election for her function in the play Look Away ( 1973) and an Emmy Honor nomination for her service the tv miniseries Roots ( 1977 ), to name a few honors.
Time in Africa.
Angelou invested much of the 1960s abroad, living initially in Egypt and afterwards in Ghana, working as an editor and also a freelance author. Angelou additionally held a position at the College of Ghana for a while.
In Ghana, she additionally signed up with a community of “Revolutionist Returnees” checking out pan-Africanism as well as ended up being close with civils rights protestor and Black nationalist leader Malcolm X. In 1964, upon going back to the USA, Angelou assisted Malcolm X set up the Organization of Afro-American Unity, which dissolved after his murder the following year.
Rhymes.
‘ Just Provide Me a Cool Drink of Water ‘fore I Diiie’ (1971 ).
Angelou published a number of collections of poetry, but her most renowned was 1971’s collection Simply Provide Me a Cool Beverage of Water ‘Fore I Die, which was chosen for the Pulitzer Prize.
Other well-known collections of Angelou’s verse consist of:.
Oh Hope My Wings Are Gon na Fit Me Well ( 1975 ), which includes Angelou’s poem “Alone”.
As Well As Still I Increase ( 1978 ), which includes the precious poem “Phenomenal Female”.
Shaker, Why Do Not You Sing? ( 1983 ).
I Shall Not Be Moved ( 1990 ), including the rhyme “Human Household”; Apple famously used a video clip of Angelou reading this rhyme in an ad at the 2016 Olympics.
Even the Stars Look Lonely ( 1997 ).
‘ On the Pulse of Early Morning’ (1993 ).
One of her most renowned works, Angelou composed this rhyme particularly for and recited at Head of state Costs Clinton’s inaugural event in January 1993. The occasion noted the very first inaugural address since 1961 when Robert Frost supplied his poem “The Gift Straight-out” at John F. Kennedy’s launch.
Friend and also fellow writer James Baldwin urged Angelou to blog about her life experiences. The resulting job was the tremendously successful 1969 memoir regarding her childhood years as well as young person years, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings.
The touching tale made literary background as the first nonfiction bestseller by an African American female. The book, that made Angelou a global celebrity, continues to be regarded as her most preferred autobiographical job.
In 1995, Angelou was admired for continuing to be on The New York City Times’ paperback nonfiction bestseller checklist for two years– the longest-running record in the chart’s background.
‘ Congregate in My Call’ (1974 ).
Angelou’s follow-up to A Caged Bird, this narrative covers her life as an out of work teen mommy in The golden state, when she turned to narcotics and also hooking.
‘ Singin’ and also Swingin’ and Gettin’ Merry Like Christmas’ (1976 ).
Angelou composed this memoir about her very early job as a singer as well as actress.
‘ The Heart of a Lady’ (1981 ).
Angelou crafted this narrative about leaving California with her kid for New York, where she participated in the civil liberties activity.
‘ All God’s Kid Demand Taking a trip Shoes’ (1986 ).
A lyrical exploration about what it indicates to be an African American in Africa, this autobiographical publication covers the years Angelou spent living in Ghana.
‘ Would Not Take Nothing for My Trip Now’ (1994 ).
This inspirational essay collection features Angelou’s insights concerning spirituality and living well.
‘ A Song Flung Up to Paradise’ (2002 ).
Another autobiographical work, A Tune Flung Up to Heaven explores Angelou’s return from Africa to the U.S. and her ensuing struggle to handle the disastrous murders of 2 human rights leaders with whom she worked, Malcolm X and also Martin Luther King Jr. Guide finishes when, at the encouragement of her friend Baldwin, Angelou started work on I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings.
‘ Letter to My Little Girl’ (2008 ).
Devoted to the child Angelou never had, this publication of essays functions Angelou’s advice for young women concerning living a life of significance.
‘ Mother & Me & Mother’ (2013 ).
In this narrative, Angelou reviews her difficult partnership with a mom who abandoned her during childhood.
Cookbooks.
Interested in health and wellness, Angelou’s released cookbooks consist of Hallelujah! The Welcome Table: A Life Time of Memories With Recipes ( 2005) and Wonderful Food, All Day Long ( 2010 ).
Movie Script Writer and Supervisor.
After releasing Caged Bird, Angelou damaged brand-new ground artistically, educationally and socially with her drama Georgia, Georgia in 1972, that made her the very first African American female to have her movie script generated.
In 1998, looking for new innovative difficulties, Angelou made her directorial launching with Down in the Delta, starring Alfre Woodard.
Accomplishments as well as Honors.
Angelou’s career has seen many honors, consisting of the Chicago International Movie Celebration’s 1998 Target market Selection Award and also a nod from the Acapulco Black Movie Festival in 1999 for Down in the Delta.
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