Dr. Maya Angelou describes 3 American Dances with African roots In an illuminating performance, the dancers of Duncan & Company demonstrated how three popular American dance moves - the Twist, the Stroll, and the Mashed Potato - all trace their roots back to traditional African dance. Dr. Maya Angelou, the renowned poet and activist, masterfully narrated the performance, drawing attention to the connections between the two forms of movement. The audience was enthralled by the parallels between t