The literary world mourns the loss of Nikki Giovanni, the award-winning US poet who emerged as one of the leading voices of the 1960s Black Arts movement.
Her words transcended generations as a groundbreaking poet, educator, and activist.
The news of her passing on December 9 was shared by her friend and fellow writer, Renee Watson, who disclosed that Giovanni succumbed to cancer in her third battle against the disease.
“The acclaimed poet, Black Arts Movement icon whose poems of wit, wonder, and wisdom were celebrated in children’s books, on keynote stages and television shows, and in more than two dozen bestselling poetry collections, died peacefully on December 9, 2024, with her life-long partner, Virginia [Ginney] Fowler, by her side,” said Renée Watson in her statement.
“We will forever feel blessed to have shared a legacy and love with our dear cousin,” Allison (Pat) Ragan, Giovanni’s cousin, said in a statement on behalf of the family.
Renowned for her contributions to civil rights and social matters, particularly concerning gender and race, Nikki Giovani authored numerous volumes of poetry, essays, and anthologies, along with more than 10 children’s books, as detailed in a profile on the website of Virginia Tech, where she served as Emerita Professor in the Department of English and had been part of the faculty since 1987.
Born Yolande Cornelia Giovanni Jr in 1943 in Knoxville, Tennessee, but dubbed Nikki by her older sister, the dedicated and influential iconoclast studied at Fisk University in Nashville. There, she met several Black literary figures, including Amiri Baraka and Dudley Randal, before studying poetry at Columbia University School of the Arts.
She released her debut poetry collections in 1968 – Black Feeling, Black Talk, and Black Judgement – which began a career encompassing over 30 published works, including Those Who Ride the Night Winds and Bicycles: Love Poems.
She became part of the burgeoning Black Arts movement, including figures such as Maya Angelou, James Baldwin, Thelonious Monk, and Audre Lorde. As a civil rights activist and politically engaged writer, Giovanni also attracted the attention of the FBI; she told the Pittsburgh Press that she used to invite the agents monitoring her into her home “for coffee because I knew they wanted to check out the place.”
A recipient of numerous honors, Giovanni was named Woman of the Year by Ebony, Mademoiselle, and Ladies’ Home Journal in the 1970s and received accolades such as the NAACP Image Award and the Langston Hughes Medal. Her children’s book Rosa remains a testament to her ability to inspire all ages, honoring the legacy of Rosa Parks and the broader civil rights movement.
Nikki Giovanni’s passing marks the end of an era, but her legacy lives on in her poetry, teachings, and the countless lives she touched. Her fearless voice will continue to inspire and guide those who seek justice, equality, and the celebration of identity.
