| Nikki Giovanni 2008 Honoree |
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| 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.” |  |
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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.”
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