Maya Angelou

“I believe the most important single thing, beyond discipline and creativity is daring to dare”

Born St Louis, Missouri April 4th 1928. Died Winstron Salem, North Carolina May 28 2014. 86 yrs

Writer, poet, performer, journalist, director, singer, actress

Personal traits: Compassionate, multi-talented, stylish, optimistic, relentless, encouraging, inspiring, wise.

Fame: poet, laureate, memoirist, civil right activist.

Why Maya?

“I meaning We” !

It is hard to think of anyone else who made their own life into art to the extent that Maya Angelou did. Sharing her story, as dramatic as it was, she used herself as the raw material in everything from acting, singing, writing and directing - all in order to be heard and seen. She was an activist at heart, and became an advocate for both race and gender equality. Her autobiographies are cornerstones for a great many African-American women.

It is an immense load to take upon oneself; to have the rest of us recognize ourselves in her life, which she shared so courageously and generously, in the hopes of creating a better world for all. And for me, it is profoundly significant that she chose to share all this through art.