We remember the brilliant and superb Nikki Giovanni, who passed away this week at the age of 81.
Your Fave BM, MS. (@TheBigMommaMia) posted at 9:10 PM on Mon, Dec 09, 2024:
“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.”Rest In Peace Nikki Giovanni ❤️ https://t.co/s8pvHq2XR5
(https://x.com/TheBigMommaMia/status/1866319445003571335?t=yd5ehaxc-2PHgSv2au30hg&s=03)
Virginia Tech professor, acclaimed poet Nikki Giovanni dies at 81
By Leslie Johnson
Published: Dec. 9, 2024 at 7:58 PM CST|Updated: 15 hours ago
BLACKSBURG, Va. (WDBJ) – Virginia Tech professor and acclaimed poet Nikki Giovanni has died at the age of 81. She died peacefully with her lifelong partner, Virginia Fowler, by her side.
Yolande Cornelia “Nikki” Giovanni, born in Knoxville, Tennessee, June 7, 1943, served as a University Distinguished Professor in the English Department at Virginia Tech. Giovanni, an honorary member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., is the recipient of hundreds of awards and honors. She was most recently awarded a 2024 Emmy for Exceptional Merit in Documentary Filmmaking for “Going to Mars: The Nikki Giovanni Project.”
As a prominent figure of the Black Arts and Civil Rights movements, she became friends with Rosa Parks, Aretha Franklin, James Baldwin, Nina Simone, and Muhammad Ali, and inspired generations of students, artists, activists, musicians, scholars and human beings both young and old.
Having battled cancer twice already, Giovanni refused to let a third bout interrupt her art. Just three weeks ago, she performed with saxophonist Javon Jackson at the Louis Armstrong House in New York City. Her forthcoming book of poetry, “The Last Book”, will be published in fall 2025.
“The poet Adrienne Rich wrote ‘…somehow, each of us will help the other live, and somewhere, each of us must help the other die.’ Renée Watson and I sat by her side, with Ginney, along with family and close friends, chatting about how much we learned about living from her, about how lucky we have been to have Nikki guide us, teach us, love us. We will forever be grateful for the unconditional time she gave to us, to all her literary children across the writerly world,” said Kwame Alexander.Giovanni is survived by her wife, Virginia Fowler, her son Thomas Giovanni, her granddaughter, Kai Giovanni, two cousins, Haynes Ford and Allison (Pat) Ragan, and a nephew Christopher Black.
“We will forever feel blessed to have shared a legacy and love with our dear cousin,” said Allison Ragan on behalf of the family.
philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) posted at 8:51 PM on Mon, Dec 09, 2024:
Virginia Tech professor and poet, Nikki Giovanni, has died at the age of 81.
https://t.co/wJwVtOauQi
(https://x.com/Phil_Lewis_/status/1866314893181563268?t=VH3_AwFBKzqaNFHNblwhzw&s=03)
Carolyn Hinds 🇧🇧 #FreePalestine #CongoInCrisis (@CarrieCnh12) posted at 10:01 PM on Mon, Dec 09, 2024:
This conversation between Nikki and James Baldwin is one of my favourites. It’s a lesson in reading someone and revealing things about themselves they never considered and how the emotional expectations Black women and men have of each other in relationships are very different. https://t.co/lWc7ZLhWFo
(https://x.com/CarrieCnh12/status/1866332274775535953?t=4De0QEO5T2ERQ_6Aa07KOg&s=03)
jill scott heron🪐 (@stillnotziora) posted at 10:32 PM on Mon, Dec 09, 2024:
i don’t think i ever posted it, but i took a video of nikki giovanni’s sorority members singing to her that day https://t.co/DigvvROxLW
(https://x.com/stillnotziora/status/1866340087916572724?t=M5zFB3rR0NixnAUG7HFyUg&s=03)
BLACK GIRLS ROCK! (@BLACKGIRLSROCK) posted at 0:05 AM on Tue, Dec 10, 2024:
We are deeply saddened by the loss of the iconic Ms. Nikki Giovanni, a trailblazing poet and cultural leader who fearlessly spoke truth to power.At 81, she leaves behind an extraordinary legacy of artistry and activism that will inspire generations to come.
Rest in power. ✊🏿 https://t.co/sZneTyKLk4
(https://x.com/BLACKGIRLSROCK/status/1866363690968346853?t=ami320HanVZe70b5_Go8Sw&s=03)
Yuie (@YusufYuie) posted at 9:43 PM on Mon, Dec 09, 2024:
The poem that Nikki Giovanni wrote about Tupac. Powerful. 🕊️ https://t.co/n3zgJhJL4n
(https://x.com/YusufYuie/status/1866327911692644758?t=AqclsJg_SaTgr1VxtqYF4g&s=03)
Chelsea S. (@UmEarth2Chelsea) posted at 10:40 PM on Mon, Dec 09, 2024:
Raise children who will teach their children about Nikki Giovanni.
The only way a writer dies is if we stop reading.
(https://x.com/UmEarth2Chelsea/status/1866342135320207856?t=ejuWEj4E05coJnN4G0ZbcA&s=03)
Tracy Chapman (@tchapmanonline) posted at 4:34 AM on Tue, Dec 10, 2024:
We are deeply saddened by the loss of revolutionary poet, activist and educator Nikki Giovanni.
In the yearbook from her senior year at Wooster School, Tracy Chapman had chosen the following words from Nikki:
“There is always something to do. There are hungry people to feed, naked people to clothe, sick people to comfort and make well. And while I don’t expect you to save the world I do think it’s not asking too much for you to love those with whom you sleep, share the happiness of those whom you call friend, encourage those among you who are visionary and remove from your life those who offer you depression, despair, and disrespect.” – Nikki Giovanni
Photograph of Nikki by Mamadi Doumbouyahttps://t.co/lyiSEgNemv
(https://x.com/tchapmanonline/status/1866431178926170447?t=ubfgg-nR4hedWRgLc8azVg&s=03)
The Black Norrin Radd 🏄🏾♂️ (@ThaSiTHAPRNTiCE) posted at 10:29 PM on Mon, Dec 09, 2024:
Nikki Giovanni really gave me a different perspective on what strength was in the Black relationship as well as black masculinity. I listen to this conversation with James Baldwin on a weekly basis bc of her. I’ll miss her a lot. https://t.co/KxlDaTzO9g
(https://x.com/ThaSiTHAPRNTiCE/status/1866339509748506815?t=02Rn7mhlZidlVvyIrenWNA&s=03)
Howard University (@HowardU) posted at 9:27 AM on Tue, Dec 10, 2024:
Rest in peace to the incredible poet and Black arts movement icon, Nikki Giovanni. She was 81 years old.
Her book, “A Poetic Equation: Conversations Between Nikki Giovanni and Margaret Walker” was published in 1974 by the Howard University Press, the first black university press in the U.S.
She was a HBCU grad by way of Fisk University, the author of many books, an honorary member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., a prominent voice on civil rights and social issues, and an English professor at Virginia Tech.
She was working on her last poetry book, “THE LAST BOOK,” which is set to release next year.
https://t.co/PaKYKHtqAA
(https://x.com/HowardU/status/1866505070935695607?t=_j–M1zKEvEa1jU8jY1Yvg&s=03)
N’Kosi O. (@DrNKosiOates) posted at 9:54 PM on Mon, Dec 09, 2024:
“I hope no white person ever has cause
to write about me
because they never understand
Black love is Black wealth and they’ll
probably talk about my hard childhood
and never understand that
all the while I was quite happy”
-Nikki Giovanni
This was the last time I was 1 yr ago https://t.co/SHcOH5qxLu
(https://x.com/DrNKosiOates/status/1866330694076465441?t=uNz-7kF-usvq4cneT9r9Qw&s=03)
The Chanteezy Is Real ♉️💛🪷 (@iamchanteezy) posted at 8:57 AM on Tue, Dec 10, 2024:
Nikki Giovanni was a true literary giant and amazing poet.
A true legend in the Black community.
Her literary work and legacy will live on forever.
#RIPNikkiGiovanni
(https://x.com/iamchanteezy/status/1866497483871858866?t=KFBc9E0lX0Z-CEbafIZLNA&s=03)
May she rest in peace.
BlackPAC (@voteblackpac) posted at 10:03 PM on Mon, Dec 09, 2024:
“All we can do, I believe, is take the love and give the love and try to remember who dreamed dreams of us. And try to be faithful to that.”
Rest in Power Nikki Giovanni – poet, writer, educator, and activist. https://t.co/okfoL2R8du
(https://x.com/voteblackpac/status/1866332842223145195?s=02)
Nanette (@NanettesZone) posted at 9:14 PM on Mon, Dec 09, 2024:
This is a great loss. The ancestors welcome you.
Rest well, Miss Giovanni.
https://t.co/5I8NdvQYJo
(https://x.com/NanettesZone/status/1866320540056846749?s=02)
Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton (@LtGovStratton) posted at 9:59 PM on Mon, Dec 09, 2024:
“She knows who she is, because she knows who she isn’t.”—Nikki Giovanni
I feel those words to my core.
A mighty tree has fallen. May her journey to the ancestors be safe and swift and may they welcome her with open arms.
Asé. https://t.co/X1M7XQgg7b
(https://x.com/LtGovStratton/status/1866331991446020394?s=02)
Black Girls Who Write® (@BGWW_) posted at 9:42 PM on Mon, Dec 09, 2024:
Yolanda Cornelia Giovanni, Jr., may you soar in peace. 🕊️ https://t.co/FsCfIZGXzg
(https://x.com/BGWW_/status/1866327662978818308?s=02)
New York Film Festival (@TheNYFF) posted at 9:28 PM on Mon, Dec 09, 2024:
💔 Remembering the great poet, activist, & educator Nikki Giovanni (1943-2024).
We were honored to welcome the legendary figure to @filmlinc last year for the #NYFF61 Spotlight selection GOING TO MARS: THE NIKKI GIOVANNI STORY and for an accompanying career-spanning Free Talk. https://t.co/hrE8LuTj1o
(https://x.com/TheNYFF/status/1866324039884505281?s=02)
Άντζελα (@SouthernGemGal) posted at 9:46 PM on Mon, Dec 09, 2024:
“You’ll never get enough money, enough fame, enough people worshipping at your feet, and all that shit has to go.” – Nikki Giovanni 🎯🙏🏾♥️🕊
(https://x.com/SouthernGemGal/status/1866328709831254022?s=02)
Libby Warner (@LibbyWarner_415) posted at 9:25 PM on Mon, Dec 09, 2024:
“Once you know who you are, you don’t have to worry anymore”.
Rest in power to one favorite phenomenal poet: Nikki Giovanni.
😢💝🙏🏽✨ https://t.co/7QEJvjFzKS
(https://x.com/LibbyWarner_415/status/1866323290874347740?s=02)
Janai Nelson (@JNelsonLDF) posted at 10:06 PM on Mon, Dec 09, 2024:
“We love because it’s the only true adventure.”
– Nikki Giovanni 1943-2024
Rest in peace our poet queen.
https://t.co/cOa8MJZKqg
(https://x.com/JNelsonLDF/status/1866333720929771675?s=02)
theGrio.com (@theGrio) posted at 9:35 PM on Mon, Dec 09, 2024:
Nikki Giovanni, revolutionary poet and voice of Black resilience, has died at 81. Her words inspired generations and will continue to echo through time. https://t.co/WGNn3AqTgK
(https://x.com/theGrio/status/1866325846882910318?s=02)
Dr. Mustafa Santiago Ali 🤙🏾✊🏾 (@EJinAction) posted at 9:59 PM on Mon, Dec 09, 2024:
”An Ode to Nikki Giovanni”
Breathe—
that first lesson you laced into us,
a map of lungs expanding into galaxies,
a language of air and survival,
the subtle art of holding it
when the world clenches its fist
or blows its winds too harshly.
You taught me to inhale rebellion,
exhale poetry—
every line a hymn, every word a blade.
Believe—
you whispered it like gospel,
a chorus riding on Black tongues,
breaking chains syllable by syllable.
You showed us how to cup dreams in our palms,
even when they burned or bled.
Belief is heavier than despair,
you said,
but it’s the only thing worth carrying.
I watched you weave love
like it was your mother tongue—
knots of truth, ropes of tenderness,
binding the broken back to whole.
You turned softness into armor,
showed us how to weaponize joy
against a world too eager
to deny our laughter.
You taught me to find peace
not in silence, but in defiance,
in speaking my name until it roared,
until it grew branches
reaching past the margins they gave us.
You pulled my voice from the soil,
taught it to blossom even in drought.
Peace, you said,
is not the absence of struggle
but the presence of hope.
Now you rise,
light as a hymn,
heavy as a legacy.
The ancestors stretch their arms wide—
Zora, Maya, Baldwin, Hughes—
a constellation of Black brilliance,
ready to hold you,
to crown you among stars.
We breathe because of you.
We believe because of you.
Peaceful journey, Nikki—
may your words forever linger
like the sweet aftertaste of freedom.
©️MustafaSantiagoAli
#Poetry #ProudBlue #Art #Culfure #nikkigiovanni #blackexcellence #Freedom #RIP
https://t.co/tLi5bXdGH0
(https://x.com/EJinAction/status/1866331883728208148?t=VrYSot28WGR4rf6oIZ1QLA&s=03)
RIP
Ms. Giovanni
Your words will continue to touch generations.