Maya Angelou's key contributions to literature and civil rights include her powerful autobiographies, such as "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings," which detail her challenges with racism and sexual abuse. Angelou's works celebrate resilience and the strength of the human spirit while challenging societal norms. Her roles as a poet and activist intertwined, as she used her voice to advocate for equality and justice. Angelou's literary excellence and performance artistry elevated the Black experience, making her a crucial figure in the civil rights movement and leaving a lasting legacy in American literature.