Nikki Giovanni, a celebrated poet, activist, author, and educator, passed away at the age of 81 on December 9, 2024, in a hospital in Blacksburg, Virginia. The cause of death was complications from lung cancer, which she had been battling since 1995
Her death was confirmed by her close friend and fellow writer, Renée Watson, who described Giovanni as a legendary figure of the Black Arts Movement. Giovanni’s powerful works—known for their wit, wisdom, and reflection on race and gender—were cherished in children’s books, poetry collections, and on various public platforms like TV shows and keynote addresses. She was surrounded by her lifelong partner, Virginia Fowler, at the time of her passing
Born Yolande Cornelia Giovanni, Jr. on June 7, 1943, in Knoxville, Tennessee, Giovanni rose to prominence in the 1960s as an important voice in the Black Arts Movement, after earning her degree from Fisk University in Nashville. Over the course of her career, Giovanni received numerous prestigious awards, including the Langston Hughes Medal, the Maya Angelou Lifetime Achievement Award, seven NAACP Image Awards, and an impressive 31 honorary doctorates. Her spoken word album, The Nikki Giovanni Poetry Collection, earned her a Grammy nomination in 2003, and in 2024, she was honored with an Emmy for Exceptional Merit in Documentary Filmmaking for Going to Mars: The Nikki Giovanni Project
Giovanni authored more than 30 books, including her 1971 autobiography Gemini, numerous collections of poetry, and works for children. She also recorded spoken word albums. In addition to her literary work, Giovanni was a respected educator, teaching at institutions such as Rutgers University, Queens College, and Virginia Tech, where she was recruited to the English department in 1987. Giovanni’s most recent book, The New Book: Poems, Letters, Blurbs, and Things, is set to be released in 2024.
Five Notable Books by Nikki Giovanni:
- Black Feeling, Black Talk (1968) – Giovanni’s first collection of poetry, which helped establish her as an important voice in the Black Arts Movement.
- Gemini (1971) – Her candid and personal autobiography that explores her life and thoughts during the tumultuous 1960s and early 1970s.
- The Nikki Giovanni Poetry Collection (2002) – A spoken word album that showcases Giovanni’s powerful poetry and her distinctive voice.
- Rosa (2005) – A children’s book that recounts the story of Rosa Parks and her pivotal role in the Civil Rights Movement.
- A Good Cry: What We Learn from Tears and Laughter (2017) – A collection of essays and poems reflecting on grief, healing, and the importance of laughter and joy in the face of adversity.
