Nikki Giovanni spoke words and wrote them. The poet, civil rights pioneer, author, educator and activist died on Monday. Giovanni, who was regarded as a revolutionary writer and “The Princess of Black Poetry,” was 81 years old.
Giovanni graduated from Fisk University in 1967 and was at the forefront of the Black Arts Movement. In 1968, she self-published her first volume of poetry, “Black Feeling Black Talk / Black Judgement.” She also co-founded a publishing company, NikTom Ltd, which was founded to publish Giovanni’s early writings and the writings of other Black women writers.
Her expansive career spanned more than five decades. She authored more than 25 books, including more than a dozen children’s poetry books. She also released two films and 10 recordings, including the Grammy-nominated “The Nikki Giovanni Poetry Collection.”
The retired creative writing Virginia Tech professor was known for a witty but blunt writing style. Much of her writings explored racism, sexism, aging, politics, life and relationships.
Giovanni’s life story is the focus of the 2023 documentary, “Going To Mars: The Nikki Giovanni Project,” and her latest book of poetry, “The Last Book,” is set to be released in the fall of 2025.
