Nikki Giovanni

American poet, writer and activist · United States · On the map · Writers · Lived 1943 to 2024 · aged 81

Yolande Cornelia "Nikki" Giovanni Jr. was an American poet, writer, commentator, activist and educator. One of the world's best-known African-American poets, her work includes poetry anthologies, poetry recordings, and nonfiction essays, and covers topics ranging from race and social issues to children's literature.

Nikki Giovanni is read about 288 times a day, in 21 languages.

A typical day, 30 days to 6 November 2026

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A life in dates

2025Robert Frost MedalAward2024Died9 December 20242022Ruth Lilly Poetry PrizeAward2008American Book AwardsAward2007Carl Sandburg Literary AwardAward2003NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Literary Work, FictionAward1998Black Literary Hall of FameAward1996Langston Hughes MedalAward1985Ohio Women's Hall of FameAward1973Ladies' Home Journal Women of the YearAward1943Born7 June 1943

People around Nikki

Family

Nikki Giovanni

Partners

Former spouse Virginia C. Fowler

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Also in Deutsch

Media & music

Photos 3

Giovanni speaking at Emory University in 2008

Giovanni in 1997.

Awards

Robert Frost Medal2025

Ruth Lilly Poetry Prize2022

American Book Awards2008

Carl Sandburg Literary Award2007

NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Literary Work, Fiction2003

Black Literary Hall of Fame1998

Langston Hughes Medal1996

Ohio Women's Hall of Fame1985

Ladies' Home Journal Women of the Year1973

Virginia Women in History

About this person

She won numerous awards, including the Langston Hughes Medal and the NAACP Image Award. She was nominated for a 2004 Grammy Award for her poetry album, The Nikki Giovanni Poetry Collection. Additionally, she was named as one of Oprah Winfrey's 25 "Living Legends". Giovanni was a member of The Wintergreen Women Writers Collective.

Country

United States