“I don't trust people who don't love themselves and tell me, 'I love you.' ... There is an African saying which is: Be careful when a naked person offers you a shirt.”

American poet and civil rights activist, 20th century Her work spans memoir, poetry, and essays, with a focus on Black identity, resilience, and the transformative power of storytelling. Known for her iconic memoir *I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings*, she also championed education and human rights through her writing and activism.