Nikki Giovanni, author portrait
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Nikki Giovanni

Poet and activist Nikki Giovanni first came to fame as one of the founders of the Black Arts Movement in the 1960s. The author of numerous books of poetry as well as several children's books, she has won numerous awards, including a Grammy nomination for a POETRY record. One of Oprah Winfrey's 25 "Living Legends," Giovanni is University Distinguished Professor at Virginia Tech.