Poet and activist Nikki Giovanni, the ‘Princess of Black Poetry,’ dies at 81
In reflecting upon the extraordinary lives of Nikki Giovanni and Toni Morrison, two titans of American literature who left indelible marks on the literary world, I find myself in awe of their unparalleled achievements and profound impact. Their works have given voice to the silences in our past and illuminated the complexities of the human experience with an unmatched eloquence and poignancy.
Noted poet and civil rights advocate Nikki Giovanni, often referred to as “The Queen of Black Poetry” due to her significant contributions during the Black Arts Movement in the ’60s and ’70s, passed away at the age of 81.
On Monday, Giovanni passed away tranquilly, accompanied by his lifelong companion, Virginia “Ginney” Fowler. This information was shared on Tuesday in a statement to The Times by their friend and writer, Renée Watson. It was reported that Giovanni had been diagnosed with cancer for the third time, as mentioned by Watson.
Giovanni’s cousin, Allison ‘Pat’ Ragan, expressed that we are eternally grateful for having had the opportunity to share a legacy and love with him, as stated on behalf of our family.
Books
Space enthusiast Nikki Giovanni mixes down-to-earth commentary with her poetry.
Watson and the author-poet Kwame Alexander shared that they, together with their family and intimate companions, had a heartfelt conversation by Giovanni’s side. They reminisced about the profound life lessons they received from her, about the good fortune they experienced in having Nikki guide, instruct, and shower them with affection.
Alexander expressed his eternal gratitude for the selfless hours she spent with us, a gift that touched writers everywhere, in his statement.
Born as Yolande Cornelia Giovanni Jr., Giovanni utilized her poetic talents to tackle topics related to Black identity and freedom. She was renowned for her bold activism and captivating speaking style, often aligning herself with other influential authors such as Maya Angelou, Sonia Sanchez, Gwendolyn Brooks, James Baldwin, and Toni Morrison. Additionally, she built friendships with other cultural trailblazers, including Rosa Parks, Aretha Franklin, Nina Simone, and Muhammad Ali.
Giovanni shared on her site that her ambition wasn’t about publishing or being recognized as a writer; instead, it was to uncover something entirely original, a notion unexplored by others. It seems this is what led her to become a poet, as she uniquely arranges thoughts in ways not typically done.
Music
On Saturday, we sadly said goodbye to Ella Jenkins, a highly productive and groundbreaking figure in music across multiple generations, affectionately referred to as the ‘First Lady of Children’s Music,’ passed away.
Born on June 7, 1943, in Knoxville, Tennesse, Giovanni was christened after her mother. She had an elder sister named Gary Ann. After moving northward, the family predominantly resided in Cincinnati during Giovanni’s childhood years. In her writings, she often portrayed this phase of her life as tumultuous due to her father’s physical abuse towards her mother.
1961 saw Giovanni back in Nashville to enroll at Fisk University, a historically Black institution known for its rich history. An eager reader from her youth, she was granted early admission even before completing high school. At Fisk, Giovanni took on roles such as editing the literary magazine and establishing the campus chapter of the Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee, as reported by the Associated Press.
However, she was dismissed after only a single semester due to her tumultuous connection with one of the school’s deans, stemming from her activism and resistance against the strict school regulations and curfew. Three years passed, and she was readmitted under a new dean who was willing to erase her past record.
In 1967, she graduated with her degree and then returned to Cincinnati. There, she oversaw a city art magazine and orchestrated the inaugural Black Arts Festival of Cincinnati.
Books
Nikki Giovanni zoomed from one topic to another.
In 1968, she independently published her debut collection of poetry titled “Black Feeling Black Talk / Black Judgement.” Her poems were inspired by her emotions surrounding the assassinations of civil rights leaders such as Martin Luther King Jr., Medgar Evers, and Malcolm X, as well as the passing of her grandmother.
In one of Giovanni’s early poems, “Reflections on April 4, 1968,” which commemorated the day Martin Luther King Jr. was killed, she penned, “What can I, a struggling African-American woman, contribute to dismantle the United States? This question, with slight adjustments, is echoing in every Black soul.” Her other works such as “A Short Affirmative Essay,” “Liberation” and “A Prayer for Peppe” were characterized by Associated Press as passionate appeals inciting revolution against white dominance.
Beyond her published works of adult poetry, she also produced two films, 13 books of children’s poetry, and ten recordings, one of which was her Grammy-nominated “The Nikki Giovanni Poetry Collection.” She often appeared on the PBS talk show “Soul.” A film about her life, titled “Going to Mars: The Nikki Giovanni Project,” garnered the U.S. Grand Jury Prize for documentary at the Sundance Film Festival in January 2023. This film employs vérité and archival footage to offer viewers a peek into Giovanni’s thoughts and experiences.
In her 2013 book “Chasing Utopia,” Giovanni expressed that a poem isn’t simply read, but more like a journey to be navigated. As we travel from one point to another, we uncover fresh vistas, changes in light or joy, a thrill of novelty that was previously unnoticed. Even when poems are familiar, or perhaps especially so, they offer the same excitement as opening night, new encounters, first love… experiences that are always invigorating when revisited and reevaluated.
Books
In “Chasing Utopia,” Nikki Giovanni eloquently expresses, “I don’t so much read a poem as I sail through it.” (144 pages, Morrow, $19.99)
Following stints as a teacher at several domestic universities and delivering guest lectures overseas, she was invited by Professor Virginia Fowler to instruct creative writing at Virginia Tech.
On Tuesday, we express our heartfelt sorrow upon hearing of Nikki Giovanni’s demise. She will be more than just fondly remembered; her status as a renowned poet and activist will be forever etched in our memories, along with the indelible mark she left during her 35-year tenure at Virginia Tech.
In 2007, the university was the location of one of America’s deadliest shootings, claiming 32 lives and injuring 17 on campus. The perpetrator, a former student of Giovanni’s, had displayed concerning behavior in class which she reported to school officials prior to the incident. Previously a creative writing instructor, Giovanni handed some of his writings to the dean and requested that he could no longer teach this student.
Following the unfortunate incident, she played a crucial role in uniting the community and rekindling hope within a demoralized student population.
In 2007, she informed The Times that she wouldn’t let him ruin my classroom,” she said. During that academic year, she received a standing ovation when she gave part of the commencement speech at graduation.
She declared with confidence, ‘Victorious we shall be!'” or simply, “She announced, ‘We’ll triumph!'” in a more casual tone.
Books
Nikki Giovanni zoomed from one topic to another.
In an interview with Fight and the Fiddle, Giovanni shared that her partner, Fowler, has become a skilled caretaker and preserver of her work and legacy. She fondly recalled Fowler as a significant pillar of support in her life, expressing gratitude by saying, “I feel incredibly fortunate to have found Ginny.
According to Fowler, her grandmother held the greatest significance in her life. The household in Cincinnati wasn’t a place of joy because Nikki found out that she had to either depart or take drastic action involving her father. In this situation, she chose to live with her grandmother and requested permission to stay.
Just as Giovanni lived unconventionally, so did she write her story. Defying societal expectations, she welcomed her only child, Thomas Watson Giovanni, into the world in 1969, at the age of 25. She explained that she chose to become a mother because “I wanted to have a baby and I could afford to have a baby.” In an interview with Ebony magazine, she shared that she opted out of marriage, stating that she “could afford not to get married.” In her 1971 autobiographical piece, “Gemini,” she candidly recounted her journey as a young, unmarried mother, a topic that was considered scandalous during her time.
According to L. Lamar Wilson, who was guided by Giovanni, her life mirrors that of African-Americans. She has chronicled it across various art forms such as film, television, from the 1940s up until today. Now, Wilson is a renowned poet and professor at Florida State University.
In 2007, while serving as a reporter and editor at the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Wilson advocated for coverage of Giovanni’s visit to the city. During an interview with her, she interrupted him and extended an invitation for him to apply to the master’s program in creative writing at Virginia Tech.
Nikki significantly altered the course of my life, and I could name at least 25 well-known authors who share a similar experience,” he stated. “Nikki has been our mentor, friend, surrogate mother when required, and disciplinarian at times, warning us about the dangers and pitfalls of the publishing world and academia.
As an educator, Giovanni is crediting with helping usher in a younger generation of Black writers.
Giovanni organized a tribute event for Toni Morrison, the acclaimed “The Bluest Eye” author, prior to her passing in 2019. During the tribute, attendees shared beloved passages from her writings, which left Morrison emotionally touched.
Obituaries
Through works like “Beloved” and others, Toni Morrison lent voice to historical silences and crafted indelible figures within the realm of American literature.
Through her victories in seven NAACP awards, as well as numerous other honors earned from her remarkable work in poetry, Giovanni provided guidance to budding writers.
Fowler stated, “She’s most proud, I believe, of being the one who initially opened paths for numerous authors who followed her. These writers were able to follow in her footsteps due to the doors she had already opened.” He added, “She is generous, extending aid to others, which is not common among artists.
2015 saw Sandy Banks from The Times conversing with Giovanni following the Black Lives Matter demonstrations in Ferguson, Missouri.
Giovanni humbly admitted he wasn’t an expert, when questioned about advice for novice writers by Banks. Instead, he encouraged them to rely on their unique perspectives and continue delving into topics they find intriguing.
“All I can do is be a good Nikki. All you can do is be you,” she said.
California
Last weekend, I seized the opportunity to converse with the illustrious poet, Nikki Giovanni, during her visit to our city for a writers’ gathering.
Joanne Gabbin, a long-standing friend and executive director of Furious Flower, the country’s first academic center dedicated to Black poetry, feels that Giovanni was particularly proud of her relationship with her grandmother. According to Gabbin, family holds great significance for Giovanni, and she believes this stems from what her grandmother imparted to her, the lessons and values her grandmother instilled in her. Gabbin shared that Giovanni had pledged to her grandmother that whatever she accomplished would be outstanding.
3 decades-long friends, Gabbin and Giovanni, were granted an exclusive early look at the National Museum of African American History and Culture, located in Washington, D.C., back in 2016.
While visiting the museum, Giovanni came across a large portrait of herself that was on display as part of the exhibition, known for its depiction of a legendary figure in literature.
Giovanni is survived by Fowler; her son, Thomas; and her granddaughter, Kai.
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2024-12-10 22:02