MGJR Volume 3 2014 | Page 30

As a freelance field producer for Oprah , I got the chance to interview Maya Angelou many times – including for Oprah’s Legends Ball. In preparation for an ABC Primetime special on the event, I was flown to interview Dr. Maya in her Winston-Salem, N.C– After we talked for one-hour-plus, she hosted a lovely lunch of delicious sandwiches, salads, and wine in her stunning sculpture garden. I’ve often been in the same room as Dr. Maya – from Tyler Perry movie premieres to cultural events at George Faison’s Firehouse. One time in Savannah, my own mom was confused with Dr. Maya. As my late, great mom Queen Elizabeth Bellinger Riley recited a poem at a wedding inside the courtyard of The Mulberry Inn in the historic section of my hometown Savannah, some onlookers (from their second floor balcony) whispered down to me “Psst! Is that Dr. Maya Angelou?” Knowing it was my mother and NOT Dr. Maya, I said, “Yes!”( LOL!) They started snapping pictures at this regal African American woman – dressed to the nines – and speaking on par with the elocution of Dr. Maya.

(Excerpted from Facebook)

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A’Lelia Bundles

Author, journalist, historian

I cannot claim to have known her well, but we met 25 years ago on Alex Haley’s farm during one of his weekend gatherings. At the time he was planning a book and mini-series about my great-great-grand mother, Madam C. J. Walker. Ms. Angelou would have played a

composite character of two of Madam Walker’s friends

I had discovered in my research about her for my

book, On Her Own Ground: The Life and Times of

Madam C. J. Walker

One of my favorite memories from that weekend

was seeing Ms. Angelou and one of the other guests

jitterbugging while actor Glynn Turman played the

harmonica. In that moment, we were transported to a juke joint filled with laughter and delight. We felt the ancestors smiling with us and upon us. I’m imagining them welcoming her with just such a party. (A’LeliaBundles.com)

Journalists Remember

Patrick Riley

Independent producer/writer

Maya Angelou

A’Lelia Bundles, left, with Alex Haley and Maya Angelou. (Photo courtesy of A’Lelia Bundles)