Nikki Giovanni’s career as a poet, essayist, storyteller, commentator, and educator spans several decades and is rooted in the politics and culture of the Civil Rights and Black Arts Movements in the United States. She has published over thirty works of poetry and prose for adults and children and has been honored for her literary work and leadership. Crowned “the Princess of Black Poetry” in the early 1970s, her work invokes racial pride and reflects an ongoing commitment to the fight for social justice. She has also been referred to as the godmother of the spoken-word movement, and her spoken-word recordings incorporate the rhythms of jazz, blues, gospel and hip-hop.
Giovanni was born in Knoxville, Tennessee, on June 7, 1943. Although her parents named her Yolande Cornelia
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Citation: McDonald, Kathlene. "Nikki Giovanni". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 15 August 2011 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/speople.php?rec=true&UID=1759, accessed 21 November 2024.]
