Today In Black History
Dr. Nikki Giovanni, Renowned poet, writer, educator, and activist
Issue #533 Today In Black History, Friday, March 15, 2024
Today’s Black History WOW!
Nikki Giovanni was born Yolande Cornelia "Nikki" Giovanni Jr. on June 7, 1943, in Knoxville, Tennessee, and grew up in Cincinnati, Ohio, in a time of great social and political change, which heavily influenced her work. She is a renowned and award-winning poet, writer, educator, and activist.
Ms. Giovanni graduated with honors from Fisk University and was a University Distinguished Professor at Virginia Tech from 1987 until her retirement in 2022.
Giovanni's writing often addresses themes of race, gender, family, and the African American experience. When she couldn’t find a publisher, she formed a company to self-publish her works.
In the 1970s, she began writing children's literature, and co-founded a publishing company, NikTom Ltd, to provide an outlet for other African-American women writers. She has written more than two dozen books, including volumes of poetry, illustrated children's books, and three collections of essays.
She first gained national attention in the 1960s as a key figure in the Black Arts Movement, a cultural movement that aimed to empower African Americans through art and literature. Her early work, such as her first book of poetry "Black Feeling, Black Talk" (1968), established her as a voice of the civil rights and Black power movements.
In 1969, she gave birth to Thomas Watson Giovanni, her only child.
After the birth of her son, Giovanni was accused of setting a bad example because there were not many single moms at that time. Giovanni noted that the birth of her son helped her to realize that children have different interests and require different content than adults. This realization led her to write six children's books.
Throughout her career, Giovanni has published numerous collections of poetry, essays, and children's books, earning her multiple awards and accolades. She is known for her bold and unapologetic style, which combines a deep sense of social justice with a keen sense of humor and wit. Some of her most famous works include "Ego-Tripping," "The True Import of Present Dialogue, Black vs. Negro," and "My House."
In addition to her writing, Giovanni has also been a prominent voice in the fight for civil rights and equality. She has been a strong advocate for education, literacy, and the empowerment of African American communities. She has taught at universities across the country, using her platform to educate and inspire the next generation of writers and activists.
She was commissioned by National Public Radio's All Things Considered to create an inaugural poem for President Barack Obama. The poem, entitled "Roll Call: A Song of Celebration," ends with the following enthusiastic, optimistic three lines: "Yes We Can/Yes We Can/Yes We Can."
Among her scores of awards, Ms. Giovanni has also been awarded an unprecedented seven NAACP Image Awards, nominated for a Grammy; and been a finalist for the National Book Award. She has authored three New York Times and Los Angeles Times Best Sellers, highly unusual for a poet.
Ms. Giovanni has also received honorary doctorates from twenty-seven colleges and universities.
One of her more unique honors was having a South American bat species, Micronycteris giovanniae, named after her in 2007.
Giovanni's legacy extends beyond her writing and activism. She has been a trailblazer for women in the literary world, breaking barriers and challenging stereotypes. She has shown that poetry can be a powerful tool for social change and self-expression, inspiring countless individuals to find their own voices and speak out against injustice.
Today In Black History
- In 1933, the Black newspaper, the Los Angeles Sentinel was founded by Leon H. Washington.
- In 1933, the NAACP began a coordinated attack on segregation and discrimination.
- In 1947, John Lee, the first Black commissioned officer in the U.S. Navy, was assigned.
- In 1965, President Lyndon B. Johnson presented the Voting Rights Bill to a televised joint session of Congress.
- In 1966, the riots in the Watts section of Los Angeles began.
- In 1988, Pope John Paul II appointed Eugene Antonio Marino, a Black Josephite priest, the Archbishop of Atlanta, Georgia, and the first Black person appointed Archbishop in the American Roman Catholic Church.
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