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| Maya Angelou at the FAMU Alfred Lawson, Jr. Multipurpose Center in 2011 |
“Florida A&M University joins the nation in mourning the
loss of Dr. Maya Angelou,” said . FAMU President Elmira Mangum. “She
demonstrated that life is an evolving journey and she expressed this well in
her life as a poet, activist, college professor, Tony-nominated actress, mother
and friend of the world. Her interpretation of the human condition will forever
live on in her numerous poems and books. We salute this phenomenal woman and
her enduring legacy.”
Angelou spoke at FAMU as part of the university’s Lyceum Series in 2011. A crowd of nearly 6,000 gathered in Alfred Lawson Jr. Multipurpose Center and Teaching Gymnasium to hear her recite songs, poetry, stories and words of wisdom.
“Each one of us has been capable of being rainbows in the
cloud, and some of us because of institutions called HBCU,” said Angelou.
U.S. President Barack Obama released a statement that called
attention to Angelou’s national importance.
“Michelle and I join millions around the world in
remembering one of the brightest lights of our time – a brilliant writer, a
fierce friend, and a truly phenomenal woman,” the president said. “Over the
course of her remarkable life, Maya was many things – an author, poet, civil
rights activist, playwright, actress, director, composer, singer and dancer.
But above all, she was a storyteller – and her greatest stories were true.”