Nikki Giovanni was a celebrated American poet, writer, and educator whose work spanned over five decades. Emerging in the late 1960s as a prominent voice in the Black Arts Movement, her early poetry collections, such as "Black Feeling Black Talk" and "Black Judgement," addressed themes of race, social justice, and empowerment. Giovanni's literary contributions earned her numerous accolades, including the Langston Hughes Medal and multiple NAACP Image Awards. In 2004, she received a Grammy nomination for her spoken word album, "The Nikki Giovanni Poetry Collection." Beyond her writing, Giovanni was a dedicated educator, serving as a University Distinguished Professor at Virginia Tech until her retirement in 2022. Her enduring legacy continues to inspire readers and writers worldwide. ([britannica.com](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Nikki-Giovanni?utm_source=openai))