Maya Angelou has been one of the most ground-braking poets in American history. Being a poet, educator, historian, best-selling author, actress, playwright, civil-rights activist, producer and director, Dr. Angelou continues to travel the world making appearances, spreading her legendary wisdom. She captures her audiences lyrically with vigor, fire and perception, and is recognized as one of the great voices of contemporary literature as well as an extraordinary Renaissance woman. Ms. Angelou travels the world spreading her legendary wisdom, captivating her audiences lyrically with strength, fire, and understanding. Through her books of poetry and her autobiographies, she has the unique ability to shatter the concealed prisms of race and class. Highly regarded by presidents and cherished by scholars, Maya Angelou's life is a collection of great achievements as well as personal tragedy.
             Maya Angelou was born on April 4, 1928 in Saint Louis, Missouri. She was born with the name Marguerite Johnson. The daughter of Bailey and Vivian Baxter Johnson, Ms. Angelou acquired the name Maya from her beloved brother Bailey Jr., who preferred "Maya" to "my sister". When Maya was about three years old their parents divorced and the children were sent to live with their grandmother in Stamps, Arkansas. Maya claims that her grandmother, whom she called "Momma, had a deep-brooding love that hung over everything she touched." Growing up in Stamps, Maya learned what it was like to be a black girl in a world where boundaries were set for her by whites. As a child she always dreamed of waking to find her 'nappy black hair' changed to long blonde hair because she felt life was better for white girls than for blacks.
             Despite the odds, her grandmother instilled pride in young Marguerite, with religion as an important element in their home. After five years of being apart from their mother, Marguerite and her brother, Bailey, were sent back to ...