Nikki Giovanni (1943–2024) was born in Knoxville, Tennessee, and was associated with the Black Arts Movement. Her early collections include Black Feeling Black Talk (1968) and Black Judgement (1968). She wrote numerous further volumes of poetry and books for children. She joined Virginia Tech in 1987 and was named University Distinguished Professor there in 1999. Her honors included the Langston Hughes Award, seven NAACP Image Awards, and many honorary doctorates. She died on December 9, 2024.
