Maya Angelou

Maya Angelou born Marguerite Ann Johnson is an American author and poet. She was born on April 4, 1928. She is the second child of Bailey Johnson, a doorman and a navy dietitian, and Vivian (Baxter) Johnson, a nurse and card dealer. Maya Angelou has one older brother, Bailey Jr. and one son Guy. Her mother Vivian Baxter died in 1991 and her brother Bailey Jr. in 2000 after series of strokes.

Maya Angelou has published seven autobiographies, three books of essays, and several books of poetry, and is credited with a list of plays, movies, and television shows spanning more than fifty years. She has received dozens of awards and over thirty honorary doctoral degrees.

Maya Angelou with President Barack Obama

INTERVIEWS

Missy Elliott

Melissa Arnette Elliott popularly known as Missy Elliott is an American rapper, singer-songwriter, and record producer. She was born on July 1, 1971 in Portsmouth, Virginia. She is the only child of Patricia, a power-company coordinator and Ronnie, a U.S. Marine.

Her first major success came as a songwriter with childhood friend and producer Timbaland on projects for Aaliyah, Total, SWV, and 702.

In the late 1990s, Missy Elliott expanded her career as a solo artist and female rapper, eventually winning five Grammy Awards and selling over 30 million records in the United States.

Missy Elliott is the only female rapper to have six albums certified platinum by the RIAA, including one double platinum for her 2002 album Under Construction.

Missy Elliott

Missy Elliott

Missy Elliott

Missy Elliott

Missy Elliott

Missy Elliott

Miss Elliott

Missy Elliott

Missy Elliott on her 40th Birthday in July 2008, at Tao, in Las Vegas

Missy Elliott on her 37th Birthday in July 2008, in New York City