Renowned for her extensive tenure at Virginia Tech, Nikki Giovanni's life and works have left an indelible mark. Her passing was accompanied by her life-long partner, Virginia (Ginney) Fowler, as shared by her friend Renee Watson. Giovanni, a poet, author, educator, and public speaker, rose from humble beginnings to become a literary celebrity.

Her Literary Legacy

Author of over 25 books, Giovanni was a born confessor and performer. Her poetry collections like "Black Judgement" and "Black Feeling Black Talk" sold thousands of copies, earning her invitations to renowned shows like "The Tonight Show" and filling a 3,000-seat concert hall at Lincoln Center for her 30th birthday celebration. In her poetry, prose, and the spoken word, she shared her story, reflecting on various aspects of life such as her childhood in Tennessee and Ohio, the Black Power movement, her battles with lung cancer, and her personal passions. She also edited the groundbreaking anthology "Night Comes Softly" and helped found a publishing cooperative.For a time, she was titled "The Princess of Black Poetry." Her friend Barbara Crosby wrote in the introduction to "The Prosaic Soul of Nikki Giovanni" that she is the most contradictory yet captivating woman. Her admirers ranged from James Baldwin to Teena Marie and Oprah Winfrey. She was a National Book Award finalist in 1973 for "Gemini" and received a Grammy nomination for the spoken word album "The Nikki Giovanni Poetry Collection."In January 2009, she wrote a poem about President Barack Obama, showing her connection and concern. She had a son, Thomas Watson Giovanni, in 1969 and lived with her partner Virginia Fowler later in life.Giovanni was born Yolande Cornelia Giovanni Jr. in Knoxville, Tennessee, and was called "Nikki" by her sister. She moved to Ohio and settled in Lincoln Heights. She was accepted to Fisk University after junior year and had a mix of achievements and troubles there. She rebelled against school rules and was kicked out but returned and graduated with honors.Relying on friends, she published her debut collection "Black Poetry Black Talk" in 1968 and "Black Judgement" the same year. Her early poems were militant calls to action. Over time, her opposition to the political system moderated, but she continued to advocate for change. Her best-known work, the 1968 poem "Nikki-Rosa," was a declaration of her identity and a reflection on her past.In 2020, she was featured in an ad for Joe Biden, urging young people to vote. Her life and works continue to inspire and resonate with readers around the world.