So sorry to hear about the passing of Maya Angelou.
I was the CBS publicist on her autobiographical movie, "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" for CBS starring Diahaan Carroll, Esther Rolle, and Ruby Dee. I remember the first time I met her when I was a journalism student at San Jose State University. My professor, a famous author, had seven of us for lunch and invited her friend, Maya Angelou who made a stop over in Los Angeles for a tour .
She told us lots of fascinating stories. Years later when I was on the "Caged Bird" set about to set up press interviews for the actors, I saw Ms. Angelou, and I went up to her and I said, "Hello Maya." She quickly put me in my place and said "Ms. Angelou!" I was a little intimidated, but we started talking, and I reminded her of our first meeting…and my job on her show. She then she warmed up. Going to that location shooting was a scary time.
I traveled by myself, in a big rented a car trying to navigate the backroads of Mississippi. I don't know how I got to our location filming. Had to get out the car several times, and open cow gates in the woods. I was so relieved to get there…worried about me…a black lone woman in the South on back roads. I wasn't wrong to worry.
When I got to the set, about an hour later, the producer quietly went up to all the Black people on the set, and told each one of us with a serious look in his eyes us . "We just got word the KKK will be over here soon. You better go back to the hotel right away to be safe." He didn't have to tell me twice. Overall I had a real experience working on that movie with iconic Black women. I was blessed. Rest in Peace Ms. Angelou! Here are photos of my times on "Ms. Angelou's Television Movie set:
