Pueblo -- Best-selling African American author and motivational speaker Maya Angelou will appear in Massari Arena on the Colorado State University-Pueblo campus on Oct. 19. The event is open to the public at no charge thanks to the University's Special Events Committee and the Office of Student Activities, Pueblo African American Concerns Organization, Chase Bank, and Pueblo Community College Student Senate. Doors will open at 5 p.m. with the performance to follow at 6 p.m. Seating will be on a first-come, first-served basis. Community members are encouraged to take advantage of this free performance as tickets to Angelou's performance in Denver the previous evening range from $15 to $65, according to the Ticketmaster web site.

Angelou is hailed as one of the great voices of contemporary literature and as a remarkable Renaissance woman. A poet, educator, historian, best-selling author, actress, playwright, civil-rights activist, producer and director, Dr. Angelou continues to travel the world making appearances, spreading her legendary wisdom.

Dr. Angelou has authored 12 best-selling books including I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings and her current best-seller A Song Flung Up to Heaven. In January 1993, she became only the second poet in U.S. History to have the honor of writing and reciting original work at the Presidential Inauguration.

A mesmerizing vision of grace, swaying and stirring when she moves, Dr. Angelou captivates her audiences lyrically with vigor, fire, and perception. She has the unique ability to shatter the opaque prisms of race and class between reader and subject throughout her books of poetry and her autobiographies.

In 1981, Dr. Angelou was appointed to a lifetime position as the first Reynolds Professor of American Studies at Wake Forest University.

For additional information, please call 719-549-2151.

Colorado State University - Pueblo is a regional, comprehensive university emphasizing professional, career-oriented, and applied programs. Displaying excellence in teaching, celebrating diversity, and engaging in service and outreach, CSU-Pueblo is distinguished by access, opportunity, and the overall quality of services provided to its students.