The non-profit organization Women in Film and the high-quality entertainment cable network Hallmark Channel honored America’s most valued treasure, legendary poet, writer, actor, and essayist, Dr. Maya Angelou, Nov. 15 at the Linwood Dunn Theater. POWER was on hand as celebrities Nickolas Ashford, Valerie Simpson, Angela Bassett-Vance, Diahann Carroll, Naomi Judd, Vanessa Williams, and Lea Thompson celebrated Angelou with poetry and music.

Well-received for her best-selling autobiographical work I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, Angelou’s moving verses have played intricate roles in American celebration. She delivered her poem On the Pulse of the Morning at President Clinton’s 1993 inauguration. And, just recently, Angelou recited Amazing Peace at this year’s lighting of the National Christmas tree in Washington.

Though accomplished, Angelou stresses the need to maintain humility.

“I think everybody is born with talent,” Angelou admitted to POWER. “We all come from the creator trailing wisps of glory.”

In her next project, Angelou welcomes 13 immediate family members, as well as 150-plus “chosen” family members to her cozy, North Carolina home for Celebrate!, an hour-long Christmas special Dec. 9 on the Hallmark Channel.