A memorial service for the late poet and activist, Maya Angelou, will be held on Saturday, June 7th. The service has many famous speakers set to attend and remember Dr. Angelou. This list includes Oprah Winfrey and now, Michelle Obama.
As of Thursday, the Associated Press has confirmed First Lady Michelle Obama will speak at the private service in North Carolina. The first family’s friendship with Dr. Angelou began during President Obama’s 2008 campaign for presidency, when, according to the Washington Post, Angelou “endorsed Obama after Clinton dropped out of the race.” When news of the poet’s death spread last Wednesday, President Obama spoke of Maya Angelou with high respect, calling her, “one of the brightest lights of our time — a brilliant writer, a fierce friend, and a truly phenomenal woman," USA Today reported.
The service will take place at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem. According to the Associated Press, although the memorial service is private, the university will be live-streaming it. Maya Angelou died last week at age 86.