What do we know about Nikki Giovanni?

Nikki Giovanni was a poet, cultural and literary icon, and one of the iconoclasts of the Black Arts Movement, a professor and an activist.

Born in Knoxville, Tennessee as Yolanda Cornelia Nikki Giovanni Jr on June 4, 1943, the poet graduated in history at Fisk University.

Before becoming a world-renowned poet and the leading voice of the Black Arts Movement, she had edited a student literary journal called Elan and started a life of activism in the Black Power movement.

After her grandmother passed away, Nikki took up writing to grieve her death.

Nikki published her first work in 1968 which included the poems — Black Feeling Black Talk.

The same year she published another set of poems, Black Judgment.

Her work on civil rights and social issues, mainly on race and gender, was happening during the time of the Civil Rights Movement and was not welcome at the time.

During her life and connection with the movement, she was friends with Muhammad Ali, Aretha Franklin, James Baldwin, Rosa Parks, and Nina Simone.

Virginia Tech recognised Nikki with the title of university distinguished professor emeritus in 2022.

She moulded young minds and inspired generations of musicians, artists, activists and writers with her poetry and teaching.

During her lifetime, Nikki penned more than 30 books, including children’s books.

Her latest book on poems called The Last Book is scheduled for release next year.