40 Facts About Nikki Giovanni

Early Life and Education

Nikki Giovanni's journey began in the heart of Tennessee and took her through various educational institutions that shaped her into the poet and activist she is today.

1. 01Early Life: Yolanda Cornelia “Nikki” Giovanni was born on June 7, 1943, in Knoxville, Tennessee, to Jones “Gus” Giovanni and Yolande Cornelia Giovanni (née Watson).
2. 02Family Background: Raised in Woodlawn, Ohio, north of Cincinnati, Giovanni was the youngest of two daughters. Her older sister, Gary Ann, began calling her “Nikki” during childhood.
3. 03Education: Giovanni enrolled at Fisk University in 1960 but was dismissed after her first semester for failing to conform to the university’s conservative standards. She returned four years later and graduated magna cum laude in February 1967 with a BA in history.
4. 04Ford Foundation Fellowship: During her time at Fisk, Giovanni received a Ford Foundation fellowship to attend the University of Pennsylvania's School of Social Work.
5. 05Detroit Conference of Unity and Art: In 1967, Giovanni attended the Detroit Conference of Unity and Art, where she was exposed to various artistic and activist movements.
6. 06Cincinnati Black Arts Festival: The same year, she organized the first Cincinnati Black Arts Festival, which became a significant event in the Black Arts Movement.
7. 07Columbia University: Giovanni received a grant to attend Columbia University's School of Fine Arts, where she continued writing about volatile times.

Literary Contributions

Nikki Giovanni's literary works have left an indelible mark on American poetry and children's literature, reflecting her activism and personal experiences.

8. 08Civil Rights Poetry: Just after attending the funeral of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., she published her collection of civil rights poetry, Black Feeling, Black Talk (1968).
9. 09Black Judgement: The Harlem Council of Arts funded the publication of a third section, which was added to Black Feeling, Black Talk and became Black Judgement (1968).
10. 10Black Arts Movement: Giovanni was a leading figure in the Black Arts Movement, a group of poets, playwrights, and musicians who considered themselves the artistic wing of the Civil Rights Movement and the Black Power Movement.
11. 11Militant Themes: Her early work expressed militant themes, especially apparent in her first two volumes, Black Feeling, Black Talk and Black Judgement, which included the poem “Nikki-Rosa.”
12. 12Re: Creation: In 1970, she published Re: Creation, which includes the classic poem “Ego-Tripping.”
13. 13Night Comes Softly: Also in 1970, Giovanni privately published Night Comes Softly, one of the earliest anthologies of Black women’s poetry.
14. 14Children’s Literature: In the 1970s, Giovanni began writing children's literature due to an inability to find a publisher for her work. She formed her own publishing company to publish her children’s books.
15. 15Jimmy Grasshopper Versus the Ants: One of her notable children’s books is Jimmy Grasshopper Versus the Ants (2007).
16. 16Rosa: Another notable children’s book is Rosa (2005), a picture book about the civil rights figure Rosa Parks.

Academic and Professional Career

Giovanni's influence extends beyond her poetry, as she has also made significant contributions to academia and spoken word art.

17. 17University Distinguished Professor: Giovanni is currently a University Distinguished Professor at Virginia Tech, where she has taught since 1987.
18. 18Teaching Positions: Before joining Virginia Tech, she served two teaching positions at Queens College and Rutgers University.
19. 19NikTom, Ltd.: Giovanni started NikTom, Ltd., a communications company, and edited an anthology of poetry by African American women.
20. 20Spoken Word Artist: She is also a renowned spoken word artist, having recorded several award-winning spoken word albums.
21. 21Awards and Recognition: Giovanni has won numerous awards for her poetry and spoken word performances. Her most famous poem, “Nikki-Rosa,” explores the speaker's memories of growing up in a predominantly Black suburb of Cincinnati, emphasizing happy moments with family and the strong sense of community.

Themes and Inspirations

Giovanni's work is rich with themes of social justice, love, and Black pride, drawing inspiration from various sources.

22. 22Social Issues: Her poetry deals with Black pride, love, companionship, and other social issues. Issues of race, gender, sexuality, and the African-American family are present in her work.
23. 23Inspirations: Her writing has been inspired by African-American activists and artists, including Maya Angelou.
24. 24Self-Published First Collection: Her self-published first collection, Black Feeling, Black Talk, came out in 1968. Since then, she has had 18 collections of poetry published.
25. 25Omnibus Collection: The Collected Poetry of Nikki Giovanni (1968-1998) includes her first seven volumes of poetry from her early years, reflecting the changes in her own life and evoking a nation’s past and present.
26. 26Imagism Poems: Giovanni shines when she writes her imagism poems and her sweet love poems. Many of these poems have already been anthologized in textbooks for middle school and high school.
27. 27Notable Poems: Some of her notable poems include “Knoxville, Tennessee,” “You Came, Too,” “I'm Not Lonely,” “For Teresa,” “Housecleaning,” “Kidnap Poetry,” “Winter Poem,” “The World Is Not a Pleasant Place to Be,” and “Poem (For Anna H and Alfreda D).”
28. 28Feminist Themes: Her work also explores feminist themes, as seen in poems like “Woman.”

Recent Works and Legacy

Nikki Giovanni continues to produce influential work, leaving a lasting legacy for future generations.

29. 29Nonfiction Works: Giovanni has written several works of nonfiction, including Make Me Rain: Poems & Prose (2020).
30. 30Recent Publications: Her most recent publications include Chasing Utopia: A Hybrid (2013) and The 100 Best African American Poems (2010), which she edited.
31. 31Bestseller: One of her notable books is Bicycles: Love Poems, which became a New York Times bestseller in 2009.
32. 32Awards and Nominations: Giovanni has received numerous awards and nominations, including an Emmy nomination for her spoken word album The Nikki Giovanni Poetry Collection (2004).
33. 33Editorial Work: She has edited several collections and anthologies of essays and poetry, including The 100 Best African American Poems (2010).
34. 34Children’s Books: Giovanni has published 11 illustrated children’s books, including Rosa, an award-winning biography of Rosa Parks.
35. 35Community Engagement: Throughout her career, Giovanni has been deeply engaged with her community, advocating for social justice and Black empowerment through her work.
36. 36Legacy: Giovanni’s legacy extends beyond her poetry. She has inspired generations of writers and activists with her powerful voice and unwavering commitment to social justice.
37. 37Historical Context: Her work is deeply rooted in the historical context of the Civil Rights Movement and the Black Arts Movement, reflecting the struggles and triumphs of African Americans during that period.
38. 38Matured Work: As seen in The Collected Poetry of Nikki Giovanni, her work has matured over the years, reflecting her personal growth and the evolution of her artistic vision.
39. 39Cross-Generational Appeal: Giovanni’s poetry has appealed to readers across generations, from her early militant works to her later, more nuanced explorations of love and identity.
40. 40Continued Impact: Nikki Giovanni continues to be a significant figure in American literature, inspiring new generations of poets, activists, and writers with her powerful voice and enduring legacy.

Nikki Giovanni's Enduring Impact

Nikki Giovanni's contributions to literature, activism, and education have left a lasting mark. Born in Knoxville, Tennessee, she grew up to become a leading voice in the Black Arts Movement. Her early works, like Black Feeling, Black Talk and Black Judgement, captured the militant spirit of the times. Giovanni's poetry, often exploring Black pride, love, and social issues, resonates across generations. As a University Distinguished Professor at Virginia Tech, she continues to inspire students and readers alike. Her children's books, like Rosa, and her spoken word albums showcase her versatility. Giovanni's legacy is one of empowerment and resilience, reflecting the struggles and triumphs of African Americans. Her work remains a powerful testament to the role of poetry in driving social change and fostering understanding. Nikki Giovanni's voice will undoubtedly continue to inspire future generations.