Maya Angelou, legendary poet and activist, dies at 86

Earlier today, literary agent Helen Brann confirmed that internationally renowned poet, author and activist Maya Angelou had died at her home in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. She was 86 years old. 

Angelou received the National Medal of Arts from Bill Clinton in 2000 and the Presidential Medal of Honor from Barack Obama in 2011. These awards commemorated her literary and cultural contributions over the years: her numerous autobiographies, plays, acting roles and poetry.

Angelou’s seminal 1969 literary debut, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, remains one of the most significant memoirs in history. 

Angelou was scheduled to speak at the Kauffman Center June 10.