Renowned and award-winning US poet Nikki Giovanni, known for being a leading voice in the 1960s Black Arts movement, has passed away at the age of 81. The poet died on Monday after battling cancer for the third time. Born as Yolande Cornelia Giovanni Jr in Knoxville, Tennessee, Giovanni studied at Fisk University and later at Columbia University School of the Arts. She published over 30 books during her career, including collections such as Black Feelings, Black Talk, and Black Judgement.
Giovanni was an active civil rights activist and politically engaged writer who was closely monitored by the FBI. Despite this, she remained unapologetic in her advocacy for Black liberation through her poetry. Her work touched on themes of love, gender, family life, and Black empowerment. In addition to her poetry, Giovanni also wrote children’s books and taught English at Virginia Tech for many years.
The poet also faced personal tragedy when one of her former students committed a mass shooting at Virginia Tech. In response, Giovanni highlighted the importance of understanding and creativity over violence. At the time of her death, Giovanni was working on a final poetry collection and a memoir. She leaves behind a son, granddaughter, and spouse, Virginia Fowler, with whom she shared a lifelong partnership. Nikki Giovanni’s impact on literature, civil rights, and poetry will be felt for generations to come.
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