Renowned American poet, writer, and civil rights activist Nikki Giovanni has died at the age of 81 following a long battle with cancer.
Born Yolande Cornelia Giovanni Jr. on June 7, 1943, in Knoxville, Tennessee, Giovanni was a leading voice in the Black Arts Movement of the 1960s and 1970s. Her poetry, celebrated for its exploration of racial and gender equality, drew heavily on her upbringing in Tennessee and Ohio and her experiences navigating life as a Black woman in America.
Giovanni passed away peacefully on December 9, 2024, with her life partner, Virginia (Ginney) Fowler, by her side, according to a statement by her friend and fellow writer Renee Watson.
Poet Kwame Alexander paid tribute to her legacy, stating, “We will forever be grateful for the unconditional time she gave to us, to all her literary children across the writerly world.”
Her contributions to literature and activism remain a source of inspiration, cementing her legacy as a cultural and artistic trailblazer.
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