Renowned poet, activist, and author Nikki Giovanni has died at the age of 81. The celebrated Black Arts Movement icon was known for her powerful works on civil rights and social issues, particularly those related to gender and race.
Giovanni’s legacy will be remembered through her numerous bestselling poetry collections, children’s books, and television appearances. She was awarded a 2024 Emmy for Exceptional Merit in Documentary Filmmaking for her project “Going to Mars: The Nikki Giovanni Project.”
Born on June 7, 1943, in Knoxville, Tennessee, Giovanni graduated from Fisk University in 1967 with a degree in history. She wrote, “My dream was not to publish or be a writer, but to discover something no one else had thought of,” which reflects her unique approach to poetry.
Giovanni’s life and work have inspired countless individuals, including Rosa Parks, Aretha Franklin, James Baldwin, and Muhammad Ali. Her legacy will live on through her family, including wife Virginia Fowler and son Thomas Giovanni, as well as cousins Allison Ragan and Haynes Ford.
In a poem she wrote before her passing, Giovanni expressed hope for a warm and fulfilling life: “I hope I die warmed by the life that I tried to live.” The news of her death was confirmed by friend and fellow writer Renée Watson.
Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2024/12/10/us/acclaimed-poet-and-activist-nikki-giovanni-dies-at-81/index.html