Celebrated poet Nikki Giovanni, a prominent figure in the Black arts movement, has passed away at the age of 81. She died on December 9, after battling cancer for the third time, as confirmed by her friend and fellow author Renée Watson. Giovanni’s legacy is honored by many, including poet Kwame Alexander, who expressed profound gratitude for her impact on the literary world, stating, “We will forever be grateful for the unconditional time she gave to us, to all her literary children across the writerly world.”
Giovanni made her literary debut with her first collection of poetry, “Black Feeling Black Talk,” published in 1968, which solidified her status as a vital voice of the Black Arts Movement. In her work, she explored themes of love, politics, solitude, and race with a distinctive style that could be both concise and emotive. Her poem “Word Poem” includes the poignant lines: “let’s build / what we become / when we dream.”
Born Yolanda Cornelia Giovanni Jr. on June 7, 1943, in Knoxville, Tennessee, she later grew up in Cincinnati, Ohio, before returning to Nashville to attend Fisk University. There, she connected with influential writers such as Dudley Randall and Amiri Baraka, and she helped to re-establish the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee.
Throughout her career, Giovanni gained prominence as a regular contributor on the Black arts-focused talk show “Soul!” and became a well-respected cultural figure, recognized as “Woman of the Year” by both Ebony magazine and Mademoiselle.
She spent over 30 years teaching English at Virginia Tech, where she famously expressed her concerns about one of her students, who tragically became the perpetrator of the Virginia Tech shooting in 2007. Reflecting on the tragedy, Giovanni remarked, “Killing is a lack of creation. It’s a lack of imagination. It’s a lack of understanding who you are and your place in the world. Life is an interesting and a good idea.”
Giovanni remained dedicated to her craft until the end of her life, actively working on her latest poetry collection, titled “THE LAST BOOK,” which is scheduled to be published next year.
Although Nikki Giovanni’s passing marks the loss of a vital artist and voice in contemporary poetry, her indelible contributions and inspiring messages will continue to resonate with readers and writers alike. Her legacy of creativity and advocacy for understanding through art is a reminder of the powerful role that literature plays in our lives.