Renowned poet, educator, and cultural icon Nikki Giovanni has passed away at the age of 81. A leading voice of the 1960s Black Arts Movement, Giovanni died peacefully on December 9, 2024, in a Blacksburg, Virginia hospital, surrounded by loved ones. The cause of death was complications from lung cancer, a disease she had bravely battled since her diagnosis in 1995.
Giovanni, born Yolande Cornelia Giovanni Jr. on June 7, 1943, in Knoxville, Tennessee, left an indelible mark on the world of literature and activism. Her cousin, Allison Ragan, expressed the family’s sentiments, saying, “We will forever feel blessed to have shared a legacy and love with our dear cousin.”
Renée Watson, a fellow writer and close friend, described Giovanni as a “poet of wit, wonder, and wisdom,” whose works transcended generations. “Her poems found their way into children’s books, keynote stages, television shows, and over two dozen bestselling poetry collections,” Watson wrote in an announcement.
Her journey into poetry began at Fisk University, where she became immersed in the literary world, connecting with figures such as Amiri Baraka and Dudley Randall. She later honed her craft at Columbia University’s School of the Arts, rising to prominence in the late 1960s as a fierce advocate for civil rights and cultural empowerment.
Over her prolific career, She published more than 30 books, including her 1971 autobiography Gemini and numerous collections of poetry. Her influence extended beyond the page; she was also celebrated for her spoken word albums, earning a Grammy nomination in 2004 for The Nikki Giovanni Poetry Collection.
Her work earned her countless accolades, including the Langston Hughes Medal, the Maya Angelou Lifetime Achievement Award, seven NAACP Image Awards, and 31 honorary doctorates. In 2024, She received an Emmy for her documentary, Going to Mars: The Nikki Giovanni Project.
Her most recent collection, The Last Book, is set for posthumous release in 2025, promising to offer one final glimpse into the mind of a literary giant.
Reflecting on her life and work, She wrote on her website: “My dream was not to publish or even to be a writer: my dream was to discover something no one else had thought of. I guess that’s why I’m a poet. We put things together in ways no one else does.”
Giovanni is survived by her life partner, Virginia “Ginney” Fowler, her son, and her granddaughter.
