Explore the friendship between Maya Angelou and Malcolm X

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Explore the friendship between Maya Angelou and Malcolm X American Masters

Premiered February 21, 2017

Explore the friendship between Maya Angelou and Malcolm X

While Maya Angelou was living in Ghana, she met and began working with Malcolm X.

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Episode Extras

Bill Clinton decided to have a poet read at his inauguration: Dr. Maya Angelou.

Watch (02:10)

Clip

Dr. Angelou's inauguration poem for President Bill Clinton

While Maya Angelou was living in Ghana, she met and began working with Malcolm X.

Watch (02:04)

Clip

Explore the friendship between Maya Angelou and Malcolm X

John Singleton shares why he believes Dr. Angelou's story is so important.

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Clip

Go behind the scenes with John Singleton

Learn how Norman Lear struck up a friendship with Dr. Maya Angelou.

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Clip

Learn about Norman Lear's friendship with Dr. Maya Angelou

Dr. Maya Angelou describes the challenges she faced as a writer.

Watch (00:49)

Clip

Listen to Dr. Maya Angelou's take on creative writing

Maya Angelou gave people the freedom to think about their history in a way they never had.

Watch (02:38)

Preview

Maya Angelou: And Still I Rise - Trailer

Rita Coburn-Whack originally introduced Maya Angelou and Common.

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Clip

Behind the Scenes: Common, Rita Coburn-Whack & Maya Angelou

Learn how Dr. Maya Angelou began writing and reading poetry as a child.

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Dr. Maya Angelou's Inspiration and Poetry

Without realizing it, Maya Angelou met Tupac Shakur.

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Hear how Maya Angelou met Tupac Shakur for the first time

Dr. Maya Angelou started her career singing and dancing in San Francisco.

Watch (00:57)

Clip

Learn why Maya Angelou signed with Porgy and Bess

“Maya Angelou: And Still I Rise” Film Excerpt: Maya Angelou & James Baldwin

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Clip

Maya Angelou & James Baldwin

Maya Angelou speaks about her work as a teacher and what she shares with her students.

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Maya Angelou On Teaching

Maya Angelou nearly had an opportunity early in her career to work with Pearl Bailey.

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Maya Angelou's missed opportunity to work with Pearl Bailey

A behind-the-scenes look at American Masters - Maya Angelou: And Still I Rise

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Preview

PBS Previews: Maya Angelou: And Still I Rise

Maya Angelou transitioned from dancing to singing early in her career.

Watch (00:59)

Clip

See Maya Angelou's early performances in the Bay Area

Louis Gossett Jr. shares a story about his great-grandmother.

Watch (00:32)

Clip

Louis Gossett Jr. shares a story about his great-grandmother

Bob Hercules and Rita Coburn-Whack share the inspiration and process behind their film.

Watch (03:57)

Clip

See Behind the Scenes of Maya Angelou: And Still I Rise

About the Program

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American Masters, committed to producing comprehensive film biographies about the broad cast of characters who comprise our cultural history.

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