Atlanta journalist Ann Hill Bond discusses the influence of late literary great Nikki Giovanni

Ann Hill Bond sits in the WABE studio in the photo on the left, and Nikki Giovanni is pictured in the photo on the right.
Atlanta-based journalist Ann Hill Bond discusses the life and legacy of literary giant Nikki Giovanni. (Photo credit: LaShawn Hudson/ WABE and New Jersey Performing Arts Center)

People across the U.S. and the world are remembering the literary great Nikki Giovanni. The poet, civil rights pioneer, author, educator and activist passed away earlier this week. She was 81.

Ann Hill Bond, an Atlanta-based journalist and chair of the Fulton County Remembrance Coalition, grew up reading poetry. She regards herself as a literary daughter of Nikki Giovanni.

On Friday’s edition of “Closer Look,” Hill Bond told show host Rose Scott that Giovanni’s work illustrates the power of words and explained that her favorite Giovanni poem titled “My Poem” took on new meaning as she grew older and understood it. Hill Bond further talked with Scott about Giovanni’s cultural influence, life and legacy.