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Who is Nikki Giovanni? Poet, Activist, Black Arts Icon
Source: Photograph by Courtesy Rada Studio/HBO / Photograph by Courtesy Rada Studio/HBO
Who is Nikki Giovanni?
Nikki Giovanni is a name synonymous with black arts, literary excellence, and social justice. Known for her passionate voice and unapologetic advocacy, Giovanni has spent several decades using her art to uplift and challenge the world around her—dubbing her the “princess of black poetry”.
“Embrace the change, no matter what it is; once you do, you can learn about the new world you’re in and take advantage of it. Now, everything I do, I do because I want to. And I believe the best is yet to come.” -Nikki Giovanni
- Legendary Poet, Author And Activist Nikki Giovanni Dies At 81
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Leaving a Literary Legacy
Giovanni emerged as a leading voice during the Black Arts Movement of the 1960s and ’70s—a period that celebrated black creativity, black pride, and political resistance. Her early poetry collections, such as Black Feeling, Black Talk (1968) and Black Judgement (1968) resonated deeply with the African-American community. Giovanni’s work fearlessly tackled themes of racism, inequality, love, and the power of community, making her a literary beacon for those fighting for justice.
As her writing career took off, Giovanni became a regular guest on Soul!, a Black arts and culture talk show on WNET. Her conversation with the acclaimed writer James Baldwin came on the heels of being named “Woman of the Year” by both Ebony magazine and Mademoiselle (as written by NPR).
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Nikki Giovanni has published more than 30 books, including poetry, essays, and children’s literature. She also inspired new generations of thinkers and creatives as a University professor at VirginIa Tech for over 35 years.
Her accolades over the years include seven NAACP Image Awards, the Langston Hughes Medal, recognition as one of Oprah Winfrey’s 25 “Living Legends” (2014), an Emmy for her documentary Going to Mars: The Nikki Giovanni Project, and many more. In addition, she held 27 honorary degrees from various colleges and universities and an honorary membership from Delta Sigma Theta sorority incorporated.
Related: 13 Stars You Might Not Know Are Delta Sigma Theta Members
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