Nikki Giovanni Passes Away at 81 Iconic poet and activist Nikki Giovanni died at 81 from lung cancer complications.

Pioneer in Black Arts Movement Giovanni shaped the Black Arts Movement with legends like Amiri Baraka and  Audre Lorde.

Born Yolande Cornelia Giovanni Jr. Born in Knoxville, Tennessee, Giovanni overcame a tumultuous childhood.

 Early Life Challenges Left home at 15 to escape family struggles, later excelling in academics.

First Works in 1968 Self-published "Black Feeling Black Talk" and "Black Judgment" in 1968.

Courageous Choices Giovanni had a son as a single mom, saying, "I could afford not to get married."

TV Highlights with James Baldwin Had a famous televised conversation  with Baldwin, hailed as iconic.

Professor at Virginia Tech Joined Virginia Tech in 1987, gaining tenure and marrying Virginia Fowler.

Award-Winning Legacy Earned 7 NAACP Image Awards, 31 honorary doctorates, and wrote 30+ books.

1. Final Book Coming in 2025 "The New Book: Poems, Letters, Blurbs, and Things" will release posthumously.

28 Years Later: Chilling Trailer Teases  a Haunting New Apocalypse