[DrPhil]

Many people (not me) call Maya Angelou "Dr" based on her many honorary doctorates. She called herself "Dr" and preferred to be called "Dr". She never attended college. She has a lifetime of experiences, I appreciate some of what she accomplished, but I do not call her "Dr."

It is unfortunately common for some people in the Black community to use "Dr" for people who do not have any such degrees--not even honorary. There is a gospel station with a show whose host calls herself "Dr" and lets listeners call her "Dr". I also knew of a pastor of a church who did that many years ago. I consider that a disregard for people who worked toward these degrees.