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American Masters

Maya Angelou's missed opportunity to work with Pearl Bailey

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

Aired 02/21/2017 | Rating NR

American Masters

Maya Angelou's missed opportunity to work with Pearl Bailey

Clip: 2/21/2017 | 1m 26sVideo has Closed Captions

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

As a single mother, Maya Angelou struggled to provide for her son. An opportunity to perform with Pearl Bailey would've meant a regular income and less time on the road, but unfortunately Maya was not given the job.

Aired 02/21/2017 | Rating NR

Support for American Masters is provided by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, AARP, Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, Judith and Burton Resnick, Blanche and Hayward Cirker Charitable Lead Annuity Trust, Koo...

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

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Rita Coburn-Whack originally introduced Maya Angelou and Common. (1m 37s)

Dr. Angelou's inauguration poem for President Bill Clinton

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Bill Clinton decided to have a poet read at his inauguration: Dr. Maya Angelou. (2m 10s)

Dr. Maya Angelou's Inspiration and Poetry

Learn how Dr. Maya Angelou began writing and reading poetry as a child. (3m 53s)

Explore the friendship between Maya Angelou and Malcolm X

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While Maya Angelou was living in Ghana, she met and began working with Malcolm X. (2m 4s)

Go behind the scenes with John Singleton

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John Singleton shares why he believes Dr. Angelou's story is so important. (1m 30s)

Hear how Maya Angelou met Tupac Shakur for the first time

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Without realizing it, Maya Angelou met Tupac Shakur. (1m 52s)

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

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Learn how Norman Lear struck up a friendship with Dr. Maya Angelou. (2m 2s)

Learn why Maya Angelou signed with Porgy and Bess

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Dr. Maya Angelou started her career singing and dancing in San Francisco. (57s)

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

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Dr. Maya Angelou describes the challenges she faced as a writer. (49s)

Maya Angelou: And Still I Rise - Trailer

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Maya Angelou gave people the freedom to think about their history in a way they never had. (2m 38s)

Maya Angelou & James Baldwin

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“Maya Angelou: And Still I Rise” Film Excerpt: Maya Angelou & James Baldwin (1m 30s)

Maya Angelou On Teaching

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Maya Angelou speaks about her work as a teacher and what she shares with her students. (2m 13s)

PBS Previews: Maya Angelou: And Still I Rise

A behind-the-scenes look at American Masters - Maya Angelou: And Still I Rise (2m)

See Maya Angelou's early performances in the Bay Area

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Maya Angelou transitioned from dancing to singing early in her career. (59s)

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

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Louis Gossett Jr. shares a story about his great-grandmother. (32s)

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

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Bob Hercules and Rita Coburn-Whack share the inspiration and process behind their film. (3m 57s)

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Support for American Masters is provided by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, AARP, Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, Judith and Burton Resnick, Blanche and Hayward Cirker Charitable Lead Annuity Trust, Koo...

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