My Sojourn in the Lands of My Ancestors

My Sojourn in the Lands of My Ancestors Maya Angelou

Angelou • Born April 4, 1928 • author, poet, playwright, stage and screen performer, and director • born Marguerite Johnson

More Angelou… • was raised in rural Stamps, Arkansas and experienced segregation first hand • told the story of her childhood in the novel, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings • She became one of the most important African-American writers and has written many books of prose and poetry

Still More Angelou… • won the Pulitzer Prize for literature and National Book Award nominations • was also nominated for an Emmy Award for her acting role in Roots • lived in Egypt and Ghana – said the first time she felt at home in the world was when she lived in Ghana

Career • went on to become a professor of American Studies at Wake Forest University, to write screenplays and travel the United States as a lecturer • became the first woman to read a poem at a presidential inauguration in 1993 at President Clinton's invitation

Photos & Signature

Currently • speaks French, Spanish, Italian and West African Fanti • Maya Angelou is currently Reynolds Professor at Wake Forest University, Winston. Salem, North Carolina