Nikki Giovanni

Poet Nikki Giovanni was born in Knoxville, Tennessee, on June 7, 1943. Although she grew up in Cincinnati, Ohio, she and her sister returned to Knoxville each summer to visit their grandparents. Nikki graduated with honors in history from her grandfather's alma mater, Fisk University. Since 1987, she has been on the faculty at Virginia Tech, where she is a University Distinguished Professor.

“Toni Morrison,” a Prose Poem by Nikki Giovanni

From the Collection “The New Book”

September 3, 2025 By Nikki Giovanni

Nikki Giovanni: Why We Need Poetry

From Make Me Rain, a Collection of Poetry and Prose

October 21, 2020 By Nikki Giovanni

Nikki Giovanni on Race, Hope, Fatherhood, and Roots

On the 40th Anniversary of Alex Haley's Classic

May 20, 2016 By Nikki Giovanni

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