Nikki Giovanni

Hello! My name is Nikki Giovanni, and I am a poet. My story begins on June 7th, 1943, in Knoxville, Tennessee. I grew up living between two wonderful worlds. During the school year, I lived with my parents in Lincoln Heights, a neighborhood in Cincinnati, Ohio. But my summers were spent back in Knoxville with my grandparents. My grandmother, Louvenia, was one of the most important people in my life. She taught me to be proud of who I am and to always speak my mind. She believed in the power of stories and encouraged me to be brave and share my own thoughts without fear. She filled my head with stories and my heart with courage, which I would need for the rest of my life. Her lessons shaped the person I would become and the writer I was destined to be.

When I was just sixteen, in 1960, I started college at Fisk University, a historically Black university in Nashville, Tennessee. I was very independent and had strong opinions, which didn't always fit the rules of the time. My outspoken nature got me into a little trouble at first, and I even had to leave school for a while. But I came back more determined than ever to complete my education. During this time, the Civil Rights Movement was gaining momentum, and I became involved through groups like the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, or SNCC. I realized that writing—especially poetry—could be my way of fighting for justice and contributing to the movement. I graduated with honors in 1967, ready to use my voice to make a difference in the world.

The late 1960s was an exciting and powerful time called the Black Arts Movement. Black artists, writers, and musicians across the country were creating art that celebrated our culture, our history, and our experiences, while also speaking out against unfairness and injustice. I knew I wanted to be part of that powerful chorus of voices. I had so much to say that I couldn't wait for a traditional publisher to give me a chance. So, I took matters into my own hands and published my first books of poetry myself. My first two collections, 'Black Feeling, Black Talk' and 'Black Judgement,' came out in 1968. In these poems, I wrote honestly about my life, my community, and the ongoing fight for equality. People connected with them because they were real and full of emotion, capturing the spirit of the time.

I wanted my poetry to reach everyone, not just people who read books. So, in 1971, I created an album called 'Truth Is On Its Way,' where I read my poems with a gospel choir singing in the background. The mix of spoken word and music was powerful, and the album became a huge hit, bringing my poetry to a much wider audience. Around the same time, I started writing for children with books like 'Spin a Soft Black Song,' because I believe young people deserve to see themselves in stories. That same year, 1971, I had a famous televised conversation with the brilliant writer James Baldwin. We talked for hours about what it meant to be Black in America. It was important to have those big, honest conversations out in the open for everyone to hear.

Besides writing, I have always loved teaching. In 1987, I became a professor at Virginia Tech, where I could share my passion for words with new generations of students. Being a teacher is a way to continue the conversations I believe are so important. Life has also brought serious challenges. In the mid-1990s, I was diagnosed with lung cancer, but I fought through it and am a survivor. Then, in 2007, a terrible tragedy happened on the Virginia Tech campus. The entire community was heartbroken. To help my students and colleagues heal, I wrote a poem called 'We Are Virginia Tech.' It was a reminder that even in our saddest moments, we are strong when we stand together and support one another.

Today, I am still writing, teaching, and speaking out. I continue to believe that words have incredible power—the power to comfort, to inspire, and to create change. My journey has taught me that your voice is your most valuable tool, and you should never be afraid to use it. I hope my story encourages you to find your own voice, to tell your own stories, and to use your words to build a better, kinder world for everyone. After all, your story is just as important as mine.