An Unforgettable Interview With An American Icon

In 1984 I was an education manager, and English teacher, in a secondary school. Though I loved my work I yearned to write, too. I had scribbled down all kinds of ideas that I felt would give voice to my creativity, talent and aspirations, but they had all ended up in the bin, being roundly beaten by low confidence, a lack of self-belief and simple fear about how my efforts might be received. But the yearning to have my writing seen by others only intensified as time went by.

A new magazine had been launched called Chic. Aiming to celebrate Black culture and empower Black writers, it sought to make an impact. I got in touch asking if I could provide some freelance items. Yes, I could, the editor responded, but she would have to see something that was eye-catching and even extraordinary first. I wracked my brains for a while, sinking under the weight of such a challenge, one that could open a good door for me and my writing; boosting my confidence and creativity. Then I heard that one of my heroines, a fantastic writer and poet whom I had admired for a long time, was actually visiting England to promote her book. I felt I had the ‘gift of the gab’ as I loved to talk with people, ask them questions and took an interest in their lives. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to interview her? But would she see me?

I gradually found the courage to still my doubting and critical voices. The least she could say was ‘No’, but then again, she could say ‘Yes’. I researched her press contact and got in touch. To my surprise, and delight, she said she would see me for half an hour. Using the magazine’s name helped with the introductions. To say I was nervous and apprehensive in the days before meeting her is an understatement. I didn’t know how it would proceed, but I did my research on her work, crafted my questions and got ready to interview her a few days later.

(Maya Angelou on the BBC Terry Wogan chat show on the evening of the day of my interview.)

The date of the meeting is embedded in my brain: 21st of October 1985, and the following are excerpts from the article I wrote of this unforgettable interview:

'It was half past three in the afternoon as I made my way purposefully along a Knightsbridge road thinking about the person I was going to meet, while simultaneously feeling like an excited little girl who had been given an unexpected present and was impatient to open it. I hurried into the hotel where I had arranged to meet her, this amazing American poet, writer and orator. I spotted her idly leafing through her book, The Heart of a Woman, that she was in London to promote, meticulously re-reading some of the memorable observations that epitomised the fluent easy quality of this highly personal and enjoyable book. It had surprised me with its intensity, sincerity and trauma of real-life dilemmas. Its author was no less astonishing, too.'

'As I approached her, Maya Angelou rose to all of her 6’4” height to greet me and momentarily transformed me into a midget! She was handsome, genial and friendly , displaying a warmth which suggested a mutual acquaintance of years instead of minutes. I was trying frightfully hard to appear nonchalant, as I fought back the overwhelming desire to comment on how she couldn’t possibly be 57!'

'Here she was sitting calmly with a friend who had flown from Switzerland just to be with her while she promoted her book, and there I was bursting with so many things I wanted to ask her! Now finally face to face with this university lecturer, mother, one-time editor, doting wife, script writer, singer, dancer, actress AND writer, I felt overwhelmingly inadequate, unable to bring myself to mention the first question that sat uneasily on my tongue. However, as I had a ‘mouthy’ reputation to maintain, I knew this inhibition wouldn’t last for long and, while she ordered a drink from the lounge waiter, my thoughts slipped back to her book.'

'The Heart of A Woman is set in the turbulent ’60s, of White segregation and Martin Luther King’s dreams. It narrates a crucial period in Maya’s life when she was struggling to bring up her young son, Guy, with all the uncertainties and hardships of being a single parent, while at the same time playing her role as a gutsy determined coordinator of the SCLC, M. L. King’s organisation. It recalls her foray into acting while she eked out a living as a singer and eventually, her unforgettable, emotionally-charged meeting with Vusumzi Make (Vus), a smooth talking, enigmatic, highly motivated South African freedom fighter. Vus went on the prove that he didn’t always subscribe to the motto of honesty being the best policy!'

I was intrigued to find out why she spent so much time on Vus in the book, even though the marriage failed.

' “Sometimes women charm themselves into thinking they are in control. In wanting the other half who are made for them, they are ready to compromise their principles, without even realising they’re doing so. I belong to myself. That’s my main principle”, she said with feeling, “but there is tremendous difficulty when a woman is raising a boy child alone. She becomes befuddled by the whole process and will not admit this. Instead she will belittle her own efforts , even though she’s given a lot of love and laughter in a difficult situation.” Her voice trailed off in the now familiar manner indicating that she was already thinking of something else.'

I was keen to know what she thought her greatest influence was.

“My dear,” the soft voice lowered to the whisper of one sharing a secret, “my time in Ghana, definitely,” which recalled several years spent there as editor of the African Review. “It was like being at home, only better. I found myself. All the people around me, from grandmothers to youngsters, reinforced who I was.”

We covered a few more topics relating to her own values and thinking, her thoughts on men and Black development. Being so engrossed in what she was saying, I hadn’t noticed that the allotted half hour was now almost an hour! She was getting worried that she wouldn’t have time to rest before her live appearance on the Terry Wogan BBC TV chat show that evening. I had to get my last question in. Endowed with so much power to influence, if she could do something really special for our world, what would it be?

'She wouldn’t be drawn for a moment. “It’s too fanciful,” she chuckled with some private glee. I prompted her gently, my curiosity getting the better of me. If it was that funny, I was even more desperate to hear it. She continued softly, “I would imbue everyone with courage. They would have the courage to eradicate racism, sexism, ageism,” (Oh boy, was I glad I didn’t mention her age!) and all the isms of the world.” '

'Her next comment floored me. “I would not erase ignorance either. You tend to enjoy those things you have worked and paid for. They would have to eradicate their own ignorance. I hope that each person would want to broaden their intelligence and seek out their own goals. No - People seldom have respect for anything which comes freely. They can work for that,” she added with finality.'

I could have talked to this incredible lady for the rest of the day: to watch her eyes light up in recognition of something special, or to see her smile widen at some private joke. Instead, I settled for the precious minutes with her which created a lasting memory for the rest of my life. I did explain to her at the end that she was my first celebrity interview. It didn't seem to trouble her. Perhaps she thought any publicity was better than none! She seemed surprised, said I was a 'pro' and wished me well.

The magazine was most impressed by my article, featuring it on the front cover, and the editor gave me my own monthly column called “Woman to Woman”, interviewing other accomplished women, which launched my career into full time writing. Pride was revamped and rebooted for the millennium.

Five years later, I started my own non-profit business championing diversity, inclusion and social harmony. I wrote Maya to tell her of my progress since interviewing her, and my aims for making a difference in society. Surprisingly, she responded promptly telling me how much she had enjoyed reading my interview which was ‘faithful’ to her words and, even more amazing, enclosing three signed poems for me to use to help the venture as I saw fit. I sat down feeling numb at the surprise of it all, with huge tears rolling down my cheeks at the thought that, despite my inexperience at the time, she appreciated what I did enough to recognise it years later, and in such an empowering, personal manner. Too surreal for words.

I would never have guessed that my first published piece would have such an awesome effect.

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