Maya Angelou Garden Party planned for April 8

Wake Forest University is honoring poet, actress, author and longtime professor Maya Angelou in celebration of what would have been her 90th birthday.

Angelou was Reynolds Professor of American Studies at Wake Forest for more than 30 years and inspired generations of students to become better writers, thinkers and citizens. Angelou died in 2014 at the age of 86 and would have turned 90 years old on April 4.

One of a series of events scheduled will be a Maya Angelou Garden Party on April 8 from 2-4 p.m. in Bailey Park, adjacent to Wake Downtown, Wake Forest’s STEM-centric urban campus in the Innovation Quarter. A rain date is set for Sunday, April 15.

The student-organized event is free and open to the public.

A poetry slam and spoken word performances will honor Angelou’s legacy. Food trucks, music and lawn games are also part of the celebration.