Award-winning US poet Nikki Giovanni, a prominent figure in the Black Arts Movement, has died at the age of 81 after a prolonged battle with cancer. Local media confirmed her passing on Tuesday, marking the end of a prolific career that spanned decades.
Giovanni was widely celebrated for her powerful work addressing civil rights, gender, and race issues. She received numerous accolades throughout her career, including a Grammy nomination, and her famous poems such as ‘Knoxville, Tennessee’ and ‘Nikki-Rosa’ remain influential pieces in American literature.
Also Read: Entertainment Halima Abubakar slams AGN president with N30bn lawsuit
Her career blossomed during the Black Arts Movement, a cultural renaissance from 1965 to 1974 that saw writers like Maya Angelou, James Baldwin, and Audre Lorde reshape Black literature and arts. Giovanni’s work often reflected on her upbringing in Tennessee and Ohio, as well as her advocacy for Black and civil rights.
In addition to her literary contributions, Giovanni openly documented her battle with lung cancer, including her third and final diagnosis. She leaves behind a legacy as one of the most prolific African-American poets of her generation.
Leave feedback about this
You must be logged in to post a comment.