Nikki Giovanni

Date of Birth: June 7, 1943

Zodiac Sign: Gemini

Biography

Nikki Giovanni, born Yolande Cornelia Giovanni Jr., is an acclaimed American poet, writer, commentator, activist, and educator. She was born on June 7, 1943, in Knoxville, Tennessee, and grew up in Cincinnati, Ohio. Giovanni is known for her powerful and insightful poetry that often addresses social issues, particularly those affecting African Americans. She emerged as a prominent figure in the Black Arts Movement of the 1960s and 1970s and has continued to be an influential voice in contemporary literature. Giovanni attended Fisk University, where she was involved in the Civil Rights Movement and edited the university’s literary magazine. After earning her Bachelor of Arts degree in History, she pursued graduate studies at the University of Pennsylvania and Columbia University. Over her prolific career, Giovanni has published numerous poetry collections, including “Black Feeling, Black Talk” (1968), “Black Judgment” (1968), and “Re: Creation” (1970). Her work has been recognized with numerous awards and honors, including multiple NAACP Image Awards and a Langston Hughes Medal. In addition to her poetry, Giovanni is a celebrated children’s author and essayist. She has also taught at several universities and is currently a University Distinguished Professor at Virginia Tech.

5 Interesting Facts about Nikki Giovanni

1. Nikki Giovanni was named one of Oprah Winfrey’s 25 “Living Legends” in 2005.

2. She has been the recipient of over twenty honorary degrees from various institutions.

3. Giovanni’s early work was heavily influenced by the Civil Rights and Black Power movements.

4. She survived lung cancer, which she was diagnosed with in the early 2000s.

5. Giovanni delivered a moving poem at the memorial service for the Virginia Tech shooting victims in 2007.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Nikki Giovanni

1. “We love because it’s the only true adventure.”

2. “Mistakes are a fact of life. It is the response to the error that counts.”

3. “A lot of people resist transition and therefore never allow themselves to enjoy who they are. Embrace the change, no matter what it is; once you do, you can learn about the new world you’re in and take advantage of it.”

4. “If you don’t understand yourself, you don’t understand anybody else.”

5. “I really don’t think life is about the I-could-have-beens. Life is only about the I-tried-to-do. I don’t mind the failure but I can’t imagine that I’d forgive myself if I didn’t try.”