WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (AP) — Family, friends and famous admirers plan to gather for a weekend tribute to poet, orator and sage Maya Angelou (MY’-uh AN’-juh-loh) at the North Carolina university where she taught for more than 30 years.
A memorial service scheduled Saturday at Wake Forest University will feature remarks by first lady Michelle Obama. Former President Bill Clinton and Oprah Winfrey also will attend.
Angelou was one of the 20th century’s most famous black writers when she died last week at age 86. Her leading roles in civil rights and the arts helped her make famous friends of Malcolm X and Nelson Mandela.
Angelou was an American Studies professor at Wake Forest since 1982 despite never earning a college degree. Angelou’s family says additional events will be held in other cities later.
Saturday’s service is being streamed online at go.wfu.edu/angeloumemorial.
Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
