It was her 1972 recording of the album Truth is on its Way, an original combination of poetry and gospel music which reinforced her reputation as a national speaker and reader of her own poetry. Truth is on its Way sold over 500,000 copies, making it a certified gold record. This commercial success would also impact an emerging genre, the poetry in motion that would come to be known as rap music. Professor of English since 1989 at Virginia Tech, she was recently honored there as a University Distinguished Professor. Visiting professor at a half dozen universities, she is the recipient of more than a dozen honorary doctorate degrees. Among her many awards are the 1998 NAACP Image Award, the 1996 Langston Hughes Award and Woman of the Year by Ebony Magazine, Mademoiselle and the Ladies Home Journal.