* National Medal of Arts (2000)
* Spingarn Medal (1994) from the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP)
* Presidential Medal of Freedom (2010)
* National Book Award for Poetry (1994) for her book "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings"
* Grammy Award for Best Spoken Word Album (2002) for her recording of "A Song Flung Up to Heaven"
* Three honorary doctorate degrees
* Numerous other awards and recognitions for her writing, activism, and contributions to society
This is just a small selection of the many accolades she received.