I was privileged and blessed to meet Maya Angelou several times and to hear her speak and recite her work. I got to speak with her and have her autograph my Maya books and a program from one of the events. As she signed books and programs, she said a few words to each person. We all walked away feeling special.

She was really frail the last time that I saw her. She was the guest of honor at an anniversary event at the college where I taught. Although she was not in the best of health, she was still regal and phenomenal. She was still Maya.