Thousands Spend an Evening With Maya Angelou at UC

World-renowned poet Maya Angelou received a rousing standing ovation before she uttered a single word. The thunderous applause came from a crowd of approximately 5,500 people who lined up around Fifth Third Arena at Shoemaker Center – some reportedly arriving two hours before the doors opened – to participate in the Feb. 8 UC Leadership Lecture Series sponsored by UC’s Student Activities and Leadership Development, MainStreet and Ethnic Programs and Services.

“I am so pleased to have been invited back to UC,” was Angelou’s greeting, after she was introduced by Student Body President Andrew Burke, who said Angelou “exemplifies all the qualities we hold dear at the university.” Angelou’s last visit to UC was in 1996, when she was keynote speaker at UC’s annual spring Worldfest events that celebrate global study, research and the representation of UC’s many cultures on campus.

Hailed as one of the great voices of contemporary African-American literature, Angelou has authored 12 best-selling books and numerous magazine articles, earning nominations for the Pulitzer Prize and National Book Award. She announced that her evening at UC would focus on great African-American poetry, beginning with “The Rainbow in the Clouds.”

“God put the rainbow in the clouds, which means in the worst of times, in the meanest of times, in the most threatening of times the viewer can see light, a ray of hope. UC is a rainbow in the clouds. Once you leave this place and are prepared for the world, you will see.”

Angelou encouraged students to put poetry and romance into their lives, saying that a number of young people have lost their idea of romance. “You risk a coarseness that you do not deserve to have. You risk brashness. You risk your future. Find romance. Find some way to drop your voice, to drop your eyes.”

She chuckled as she warned that she may name several writers that she would call her favorite, among them she quoted from 19th century Ohio poet Paul Laurence Dunbar and the line from his poem, “Sympathy,” that would become the title of Angelou’s famous autobiography, “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings,” published in 1970.

“The librarians have all of these poems at their fingertips. As soon as possible, go to your librarian.

“I would encourage you to go to your librarian tomorrow morning. Just say, ‘Last night, Miss Angelou talked about African-American poets and I think I need to know them. Will you help me?’ When the shock is over, the librarian will stop at nothing to satisfy your request.”

“Find Langston Hughes, find Maya Angelou, find Nikki Giovanni. I think if you’re serious, you’re here to make a difference.”