Scope and arrangement
The collection is arranged in two groupings: Commemorative Albums and Prints
The Maya Angelou photographs, dated 1920s to 2009, are mostly commercial photographs and snapshots that celebrate her accomplishments.
The Commemorative Albums grouping, focuses on particular events. An album "A Bridge to Now" celebrated women for their lifetime achievements. This event, sponsored by Oprah Winfrey's Harpo Productions, was held in Santa Barbara, California from May 13th to the 15th in 2005.
There are albums for Angelou's business venture with Hallmark Cards, Inc. titled "Maya Angelou Life Mosaic Collection." These albums hold promotional material about items to be sold with inspirational writings, as well as commercial photographs of Angelou at the launch event held in the spring of 2003.
Related to this event was "Mosaic of Maya" held over several days from April 4th through the 6th in 2003. Oprah Winfrey's Harpo Productions Inc. was also credited for the event.
The Prints designated "Events" reflect a wide spectrum of moments with Maya Angelou. The files hold pictures of her as a recipient of the American Black Achievement Award, at birthday celebrations, attending the Children's Literacy Program, speaking at the Sadler Wells Theatre in London as an advocate for the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, receiving honorary doctorates and the Lincoln Medal Award, at the book signing of Hallelujah! The Welcome Table, and receiving a recognition for the book Letter to My Daughter. Other events documented include Angelou's appearance at the Reachout Evangelistic Mission with the gospel group "Bobby Jones and New Life" in Los Angeles as the featured poet (circa 1980).
The family photographs from Stamps, Arkansas are the oldest photographs in the collection. Most of these photographs date from the 1920s and possibly depict Angelou's ancestors or family members. Stamps, Arkansas was her paternal grandmother's home. The majority of the photographs were taken outdoors and printed on postcards, an inexpensive method to mail pictures to family and friends. Most of the individuals were not identified. Two of the photographs may be Maya Angelou as a young girl and woman. Other photographs of interest are several pictures of Black men wearing military uniforms dated to World War I.
The collection also holds a smaller group of assorted photographs of pictures sent to Angelou for events that she did not attend.