PHOENIX Body Mind & Soul

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Dr. Maya Angelou

A Living Legend

Photo courtesy of Maya AngelouA Renaissance Woman

Dr. Maya Angelou is a remarkable Renaissance woman who is hailed as one of the great voices of contemporary literature. As a poet, educator, historian, best-selling author, actress, playwright, civil-rights activist, producer and director, she continues to travel the world, spreading her legendary wisdom. Within the rhythm of her poetry and elegance of her prose lies Angelou's unique power to help readers of every orientation span the lines of race and Angelou captivates audiences through the vigor and sheer beauty of her words and lyrics. Source

 

Photo courtesy of Maya Angelou

Dr. Maya Anglou was born April 4, 1928 in St. Louis, Missouri.

As a teen, she won a scholarship to study dance and drama at San Francisco’s Labor School.

San Francisco’s first African-American female cable car conductor at age 14!

Became mother to Guy Johnson shortly after graduating high school.

Studied modern dance with Martha Graham & danced with Alvin Ailey on television variety shows in the mid 50's.

In 1957, recorded her first album, Calypso Lady.

In the early 60's she worked as an editor to an English language publication in Cairo Egypt, moving to Ghana a year later where she taught at the University of Ghana's School of Music and Drama, while also working as a writer and editor.

While abroad, she read and studied voraciously, mastering French, Spanish, Italian, Arabic and the West African language Fanti.

Met Malcolm X while in Ghana and, in 1964, returned to America to help him build his new Organization of African American Unity. Unfortunately, he was assasinated and the organization was dissolved.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. asked her to serve as Northern Coordinator for the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. King's assassination, falling on her birthday in 1968, left her devastated.

With encouragement from James Baldwin, she began work on her autobiography, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, published in 1970 to international acclaim and enormous success. More than 30 bestselling titles followed.


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A Living Legend
The Achievements
of Dr. Maya Angelou

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nominated for a pulitzer prize (The first African American woman to do so!) in 1972 for her screenplay and score of Georgia, Georgia.

Appeared in Alex Haley's Roots in 1977 and a host of other films.

But she doesn't stop!

She went on to serve on two presidential committees, was awarded the Presidential Medal of Arts in 2000, the Lincoln Medal in 2008, and has received 3 Grammy Awards. President Clinton requested that she compose a poem to read at his inauguration in 1993. Dr. Angelou's reading of her poem, On the Pulse of the Morning, was broadcast live around the world.

Dr. Angelou has received over 30 honorary degrees and is Reynolds Professor of American Studies at Wake Forest University.

She is also conducting a radio program on Oprah and Friends.

... a true living legend!
Source

You know you've made it big when they invite you to be on Sesame Street!

Defining Legend
A short (mono-) episodic, traditional, highly ecotypified historicized narrativeperformed in a conversational mode, reflecting on a psychological level; a symbolic representation of folk belief and collective experiences and serving as a reaffirmation of commonly held values of the group to whose tradition it belongs; a person who achieved influential fame and/or greatness during their lifetime.

 

 

 

The Album Cover
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Maya's first & very groovy album:

Miss Calypso

Audio Samples & Ordering

 

 

The first of Miss Calypso's infamous series of autobiographies:

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings

More Titles & Ordering


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The Cover

 

 

 

Photo courtesy of Maya AngelouWatch, Listen & Feel the Inspiration of Dr. Maya Angelou in various video interviews and presentations. Go

 

All information and images were taken directly from MayaAngelou.com.

 

A Brush with Greatness

It amazes me that I was not aware of Maya Angelou until only a few short years ago. Just after having begun plans for the Phoenix Body Mind and Soul journey, I was invited to speak to Maya Angelou on Oprah and Friends XM Radio. A program coordinator from her show, contacted me and asked me if I would interview with a host whose name I did not recognize. When the day came, I conducted my interview with Maya, still not knowing who she was, until later that evening, a friend told me that she was a well known author and professor. Then the very next morning, I received a Daily OM in my E-Mail. That Daily OM just so happened to be about Maya Angelou! Was it mere coincidence that the day after I interviewed with her, that the opportunity to find out more about her was literally in my face? Since that day I've been allowing myself to soak up the wisdom that flows like water from her overflowing spirit whenever I take the time to listen and learn.

I do not regret not knowing who she was when we spoke. I am glad that we spoke as two humans with no judgment about each other. I am honored that she asked me about my son. I am happy to know to now know who she is.

It is also evident that there are many people, that I've come across, that do not know who she is. Please include a link to either this page or the website of Maya Angelou on your Facebook or MySpace updates to keep her "liquid wisdom" flowing throughout the world.

Joy and Gratitude,
Crystal Achey, Editor

 

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