Maya Angelou dies at 86

 ========= Old Image Removed =========Array
(
    [_wp_attached_file] => Array
        (
            [0] => 2014/05/mayaangelou.jpg
        )

    [_wp_attachment_metadata] => Array
        (
            [0] => a:5:{s:5:"width";i:600;s:6:"height";i:400;s:4:"file";s:23:"2014/05/mayaangelou.jpg";s:5:"sizes";a:6:{s:6:"medium";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:23:"mayaangelou-336x224.jpg";s:5:"width";i:336;s:6:"height";i:224;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:9:"thumbnail";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:23:"mayaangelou-140x140.jpg";s:5:"width";i:140;s:6:"height";i:140;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:9:"wbhm-icon";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:21:"mayaangelou-80x80.jpg";s:5:"width";i:80;s:6:"height";i:80;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:18:"wbhm-featured-home";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:23:"mayaangelou-467x311.jpg";s:5:"width";i:467;s:6:"height";i:311;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:22:"wbhm-featured-carousel";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:23:"mayaangelou-398x265.jpg";s:5:"width";i:398;s:6:"height";i:265;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:14:"post-thumbnail";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:23:"mayaangelou-125x125.jpg";s:5:"width";i:125;s:6:"height";i:125;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}}s:10:"image_meta";a:12:{s:8:"aperture";s:1:"0";s:6:"credit";s:0:"";s:6:"camera";s:0:"";s:7:"caption";s:0:"";s:17:"created_timestamp";s:1:"0";s:9:"copyright";s:0:"";s:12:"focal_length";s:1:"0";s:3:"iso";s:1:"0";s:13:"shutter_speed";s:1:"0";s:5:"title";s:0:"";s:11:"orientation";s:1:"0";s:8:"keywords";a:0:{}}}
        )

    [_imagify_optimization_level] => Array
        (
            [0] => 1
        )

    [_imagify_data] => Array
        (
            [0] => a:2:{s:5:"stats";a:3:{s:13:"original_size";i:370908;s:14:"optimized_size";i:206049;s:7:"percent";d:44.450000000000003;}s:5:"sizes";a:9:{s:4:"full";a:5:{s:7:"success";b:1;s:8:"file_url";s:51:"https://news.wbhm.org/media/2014/05/mayaangelou.jpg";s:13:"original_size";i:199190;s:14:"optimized_size";i:76252;s:7:"percent";d:61.719999999999999;}s:9:"thumbnail";a:2:{s:7:"success";b:0;s:5:"error";s:77:"WELL DONE. This image is already compressed, no further compression required.";}s:6:"medium";a:2:{s:7:"success";b:0;s:5:"error";s:77:"WELL DONE. This image is already compressed, no further compression required.";}s:9:"wbhm-icon";a:5:{s:7:"success";b:1;s:8:"file_url";s:57:"https://news.wbhm.org/media/2014/05/mayaangelou-80x80.jpg";s:13:"original_size";i:4163;s:14:"optimized_size";i:4091;s:7:"percent";d:1.73;}s:13:"wbhm-featured";a:5:{s:7:"success";b:1;s:8:"file_url";s:59:"https://news.wbhm.org/media/2014/05/mayaangelou-600x338.jpg";s:13:"original_size";i:56517;s:14:"optimized_size";i:42531;s:7:"percent";d:24.75;}s:20:"wbhm-featured-square";a:5:{s:7:"success";b:1;s:8:"file_url";s:59:"https://news.wbhm.org/media/2014/05/mayaangelou-300x300.jpg";s:13:"original_size";i:31963;s:14:"optimized_size";i:23922;s:7:"percent";d:25.16;}s:18:"wbhm-featured-home";a:5:{s:7:"success";b:1;s:8:"file_url";s:59:"https://news.wbhm.org/media/2014/05/mayaangelou-467x311.jpg";s:13:"original_size";i:44175;s:14:"optimized_size";i:33177;s:7:"percent";d:24.899999999999999;}s:22:"wbhm-featured-carousel";a:5:{s:7:"success";b:1;s:8:"file_url";s:59:"https://news.wbhm.org/media/2014/05/mayaangelou-398x265.jpg";s:13:"original_size";i:34900;s:14:"optimized_size";i:26076;s:7:"percent";d:25.280000000000001;}s:14:"post-thumbnail";a:2:{s:7:"success";b:0;s:5:"error";s:77:"WELL DONE. This image is already compressed, no further compression required.";}}}
        )

    [_imagify_status] => Array
        (
            [0] => success
        )

)
1660204625 
1401235200

Poet and activist Maya Angelou, best known for her memoir I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, has died after a long illness at her home in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. She was 86.

Angelou grew up in St. Louis, Missouri, and Stamps, Arkansas. She had a varied career as a dancer, singer, teacher, actor, producer and a political activist. But she’s probably best known as the author of 30 books of prose and poetry. Angelou writes about her life with brutal honesty, an honesty that reflects the courage of someone determined to rise above her meager beginnings.

In 2009 Angelou spoke in Birmingham at an event for the UAB Minority Health and Health Disparities Research Center. In an interview with Greg Bass for WBHM she reflected on her humble roots.

Click here to listen to an extended interview

 

UK police say more than 500 people arrested in pro-Palestinian events over weekend

Most of those detained were arrested for carrying signs supporting a pro-Palestinian group recently banned as a terrorist organization in the UK.

Australia will recognize a Palestinian state, Prime Minister Albanese says

The decision comes as France, Canada and the UK have signaled similar steps in recent weeks.

Federal agents spread out across D.C. streets amid Trump vow to crackdown on crime

President Trump promised a weekend crackdown of Washington, D.C.'s homeless population and criminals. Trump activated federal agents to also be a show of force across the district.

Colorado wildfires burn more than 120,000 acres as firefighters await better weather

In western Colorado, firefighters are up against windy, hot weather as they try to protect homes and infrastructure from a pair of lightning-caused wildfires.

Netanyahu defends Israel’s plan to seize Gaza City, despite global condemnation

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu doubled down on his plan for Israel to seize control of Gaza City and the remaining sliver of Gaza not already under Israeli control.

European leaders urge for Ukraine to be included in Trump-Putin Alaska peace talks

Some European leaders say that Ukraine must be included in any talks with Russia over ending the war.

More Arts and Culture Coverage