06.07.1943 Yolande Cornelia “Nikki” Giovanni, poet, author, and activist, was born in Knoxville, Tennessee, but grew up in Cincinnati, Ohio. Giovanni earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in history with honors from Fisk University in 1967. Her early poetry, such as “Black Feeling, Black Talk” (1967), “Black Judgement” (1968) and “Re: Creation” (1970), was inspired by the Civil Rights and Black Power Movements. Other works include “Those Who Ride the Night Winds” (1983), “Love Poems” (1997), “Acolytes” (2007), and “Bicycles: Love Poems” (2009). Giovanni has written more than 25 books, including volumes of poetry, illustrated children’s books, and collections of essays. Her children’s book “Rosa” (2005) was named a Caldecott Honors Book. In 2004, she was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Spoken Word Album for her album “The Nikki Giovanni Poetry Collection.” Giovanni was named Woman of the Year by Ebony magazine in 1970, Mademoiselle magazine in 1971, and Ladies Home Journal in 1972. In 1985, she was inducted into the Ohio Women’s Hall of Fame and named an Outstanding Woman of Tennessee. She has received 25 honorary degrees from colleges and universities around the country. Since 1987, Giovanni has served as distinguished professor of English at Virginia Tech University.
Posted on: Fri, 07 Jun 2013 13:28:25 +0000
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