Yolande
Cornelia “Nikki” Giovanni’s voice has inspired generations
of young people since she entered the nation’s consciousness during
the civil rights and black power movements of the 1960s. Early works of
poetry such as "Black Feeling, Black Talk, Black Judgment" and
"Re:Creation" were required reading on many historically black
college campuses and in black studies programs at major universities.
Her writing is fiery, intense and purposeful. Most
of all, it is honest. Thus, it was only appropriate that Giovanni, a University
Distinguished Professor at Virginia Tech, spoke during the aftermath of
that campus’ 2007 massacre. Her passionate words helped console
mourners everywhere. “We are Virginia Tech!” Giovanni proclaimed.
Giovanni recently spent a semester teaching at her
alma mater, Fisk University, in Knoxville, Tenn. When teaching, she
distills the same advice to students that she employs in her own work: “You
can’t write for the moment, and the writing has to be honest.”
Nikki Giovanni
Giovanni's honesty has been rewarded by numerous honors and
awards. Her autobiography, Gemini, was a finalist for the National Book Award;
Love Poems, Blues: For All the Changes, and Quilting the
Black-Eyed Pea were all honored with NAACP Image Awards. Blues: For
All the Changes reached No. 4 on the Los Angeles Times bestseller
list, and Rosa, about the civil rights legend Rosa Parks, became a
Caldecott Honors Book.
"Don't
be afraid to rest in the comfort of a bigger idea; don't be afraid to
live fully."
As a fan of various musical genres, Giovanni's spoken-word
recordings include the album "Truth Is On Its Way", which received
the Best Spoken Word Album award from the National Association of Radio and
Television Announcers, and her "Nikki Giovanni Poetry Collection",
which was a finalist for a Grammy Award.
Giovanni was the first recipient of the Rosa L. Parks Woman
of Courage Award, and also was awarded the Langston Hughes Medal for poetry.
A member of the PEN American Center, she was honored for her life and career
by The History Makers.
Her extensive work reflects advice she often dispenses
to others. “Don’t be afraid to rest in the comfort of a bigger
idea; don’t be afraid to live fully.”
