In Gratitude For Nikki Giovanni
Yolande Cordelia “Nikki” Giovanni, Jr, better known as Nikki Giovanni died on December 9th. She was 81 years old. More than a writer, a poet, and a professor, Nikki Giovanni spoke and wrote for generations of Black folk, but especially Black women.
Yolande Cordelia “Nikki” Giovanni, Jr, better known as Nikki Giovanni died on December 9th. She was 81 years old. More than a writer, a poet, and a professor, Nikki Giovanni spoke and wrote for generations of Black folk, but especially Black women. Her words carried multitudes. Her words hold so much, the weight of centuries of the Black experience in this nation, the sorrow of loss, the joy of self-liberation, and the strength and story of an entire people.
I remember having the opportunity to hear her in person. As a student at West Chester University, I remember clamoring with other fellow students, faculty, professors, and community members into one of the theaters, a smaller one. Anderson Hall. I remember being confused as to why we, members of the Black Student Union and other students, would be stuffed into such a small theater when such a titan was coming to our school.
That was twenty years ago this year. And I still remember. I remember the absolute warmth of her smile. I remember the effortlessness by which she spoke, the same way a skilled musician would play their instrument. I remember her Thug Life tattoo. I remember how she proudly showed it to us, a theater full of students and faculty as if we were a small gathering in some personal conversation. I remember holding a copy of her book of essays, The Prosaic Soul of Nikki Giovanni, just one of the then twenty-six books she published for adults and children. Her final work is set to be released next autumn.
Her connections to the City of Brotherly Love extend beyond the occasional local college and library visits. As a student, Giovanni once attended the UPenn. She was an artist in residence at the historic Clef Club in 1996. Her 1997, she released a recorded collection of 18 poems called “In Philadelphia”. Just last year, the documentary film Going to Mars: The Nikki Giovanni Project was the feature film at Philly’s own BlackStar Film Festival.
Her words will live on, as a reminder, as a reflection, as a record of who we have been, who we are, and ultimately who we still can be. She always called us higher while forcing us to examine what is yet before us. As she once said. “There is always something to do. There are hungry people to feed, naked people to clothe, sick people to comfort and make well. And while I don't expect you to save the world I do think it's not asking too much for you to love those with whom you sleep, share the happiness of those whom you call friend, engage those among you who are visionary and remove from your life those who offer you depression, despair and disrespect.”
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Whitney Roberts
Whitney Roberts is a Philadelphia writer, podcaster, and content creator featured by the NAACP, Wired, NBC, and more. She contributes to outlets like TheRoot and NPR, amplifying diverse voices and stories.
