Thursday, January 04, 2007

The great escape

Visiting with Maya Angelou in New York

Maya Angelou's second home is an urban getaway filled with art, sunlight and color. It's also a great illustration of transformation.

Angelou knows about transformation because she's lived it. She's led a remarkable life. It began with her poor childhood in Stamps, Ark., and St. Louis, MO. Today she enjoys literary prominence. It's a journey that took her to California, Egypt, Ghana and - finally - North Carolina.

The best-selling first volume of her autobiography - “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings -” is required reading for millions of American students. Her collection of poems, Just Give Me a Cool Drink of Water 'Fore I Diiie,” was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize.

Angelou has written, produced, directed and starred in productions for stage, film and television, and has long been a civil rights activist. Her calm and thoughtful demeanor has given birth to innovative art forms and permanently impacted our culture.

A reporter recently spent time with Angelou at her second home in New York. Every room reflects her unique flair for color and comfort. Click here to read the story.

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4 comments:

Annie Jeffries said...

Maya Angelou is one of my favorites, a feeling that I share with millions. I've had the pleasure of hearing her speak twice and she is truly memorable, an icon for not just our country but for the world. Very glad to find you via Rethabile's blog. I'll be visiting again.

Deb Sistrunk Nelson said...

Annieelf: I agree with you 100%. Maya is awesome! I would love the opportunity to hear her speak. You have been very fortunate. I'm glad we found each other - and that I "happened" on Rethabile's site, PoƩfrika.

[a} said...

She is so accomplished! I didn't know that she "has written, produced, directed, and starred in production"--an all-rounder, eh.

Anonymous said...

[a}: I like to think of Angelou as a "Renaissance woman." :-)
Thanks for stopping by.