Virginia Tech professor, poet, and beloved wordsmith, Yolande Cornelia “Nikki” Giovanni Jr., passed away on Monday at the age of 81 after battling multiple bouts with cancer. Giovanni, renowned for her impactful writing and activism, died peacefully with her partner, Virginia “Ginny” Fowler, by her side. According to The New York Times, she succumbed to complications from her most recent battle with lung cancer.
Born on June 7, 1943, in Knoxville, Tennessee, Giovanni’s career spanned more than five decades. From an early age, she was deeply connected to her African American roots and developed a love for literature. Giovanni entered Fisk University’s “Early Entrant” program, starting college in Nashville before completing her high school education. At Fisk, she edited the student literary magazine, revived the campus chapter of the Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), and graduated with honors in 1967, earning a B.A. in history.
By the late 1960s, Giovanni had become one of the leading figures in the Black Arts Movement, earning the title “Poet of the Black Revolution.” Her early poetry collections, Black Feeling, Black Talk and Black Judgement, both published in 1968, boldly addressed racial and social justice issues with powerful, unapologetic language.
Giovanni’s literary output was vast, including poetry anthologies, children’s books, and spoken word albums. One of her most famous works, the autobiographical poem Nikki-Rosa, has been widely reprinted. Her collections like Spin a Soft Black Song (1971) and Ego-Tripping and Other Poems for Young People (1973) demonstrated her versatility, with works that resonated with both adult and younger audiences while tackling profound societal themes.
In 1987, Giovanni became a professor of English at Virginia Tech, where she taught creative writing and literature until her retirement in 2022. Her time at the university was marked by her dedication to education and mentorship. After the tragic shooting at Virginia Tech in 2007, Giovanni composed a moving chant-poem for the memorial, capturing the resilience of the university community.
Giovanni’s contributions to literature and social justice earned her numerous accolades, including several NAACP Image Awards, the Langston Hughes Medal, and over 20 honorary degrees. Her 2005 album The Nikki Giovanni Poetry Collection was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Spoken Word Album, and she was named one of Oprah Winfrey’s 25 “Living Legends.”
A cancer survivor, Giovanni battled lung cancer in the early 1990s. Her 1999 collection Blues: For All the Changes: New Poems includes reflections on her cancer journey and the natural world.
Giovanni was also an honorary member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. Her legacy of literary excellence, activism, and dedication to justice will continue to inspire generations.
Giovanni is survived by her son, Thomas Watson Giovanni; her wife, Virginia Fowler; granddaughter, Kai Giovanni; and other family members.
One of Giovanni’s enduring quotes, from The Collected Poetry, 1968-1998, encapsulates her spirit:
“I hope i die warmed by the life that i tried to live.”
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