Maya Angelou overcame abuse, racism, and sexism to become one of the most powerful voices of the Black community. Her words live permanently on.
» Subscribe to NowThis Entertainment: https://go.nowth.is/Entertainment_Subscribe

To conclude Black History Month, we’re honoring Maya Angelou, born Marguerite Annie Johnson. Maya overcame a rocky early life of abuse, sexism, and racism to become the lasting, powerful voice of the Black community that she is revered for today.

Maya grew up in the south, and was mute for 5 years after undergoing a traumatic experience. In the absence of speech, she turned to great literary authors to fill her time. A teacher encouraged poetry and eventually was able to help her find her voice again. She excelled in school and went on to earn a scholarship to the California Labor school to study drama and dance.

Though she tried to work, she often faced racism and was denied jobs based off of the color of her skin. She became the first woman streetcar conductor, waitressed, and eventually turned to prostitution and madame to support her son and herself.

In the 50s, Maya worked as a dancer and inspired her studio album ‘Miss Calypso.’ She even got to travel Europe for dance, starring in ‘Porgy and Bess.’

During the 60s, she was very involved in the civil rights movement. She developed a friendship with Martin Luther King Jr. and helped organize many events in the south.

In 1969, her most famous work was introduced to the world — ‘I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings.’ A decade later, it was adapted into t.v. and movie. Her work includes 7 biographies total.

Maya Angelou then and now, is an unwavering voice and icon for the Black community. For more about Maya Angelou, check out NowThis’ evolution of Maya Angelou.

#MayaAngelou #BlackHistoryMonth #StillIRise #poetry #Blackartists

Connect with NowThis
» Subscribe to NowThis News: http://go.nowth.is/News_Subscribe
» Like us on Facebook: http://go.nowth.is/News_Facebook
» Tweet us on Twitter: http://go.nowth.is/News_Twitter
» Follow us on Instagram: http://go.nowth.is/News_Instagram
» Find us on Snapchat Discover: http://go.nowth.is/News_Snapchat

From humble beginnings to dominating the game — we’re giving you the complete history of your favorite actors, musicians, and artists. Evolution Of highlights the achievements and failures of today’s most influential artists. From the bad breaks to the big ones, we’ll explore the hardships and triumphs that shaped our favorite actors, musicians, and writers into the icons they are today.

NowThis is your premier news outlet providing you with all the videos you need to stay up to date on all the latest in trending news. From entertainment to politics, to viral videos and breaking news stories, we’re delivering all you need to know straight to your social feeds. We live where you live.

http://www.youtube.com/nowthisentertainment
@NowThisEntertainment

nowthis,nowthis entertainment,entertainment news,celebrities,nowthis evolution of,the evolution of,evolution of,maya angelou,maya angelou poems,maya angelou interview,maya angelou still i rise,maya angelou biography,black history month,civil rights activist,maya angelou civil rights,I Know Why The Cage Bird Sings,maya angelou poetry,maya angelou film,Marguerite Annie Johnson,martin luther king jr. and maya angelou,civil rights,miss calypso,Porgy and bess