NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — World-renowned poet, civil rights activist and Fisk University alumna Nikki Giovanni died on Monday at the age of 81.
University officials mourned the loss of the Knoxville native on social media.
"Through her poetry, she wove stories of Black resilience, beauty, and liberation, reminding us that our voices hold infinite power and that our truths deserve to be told," the statement reads, in part. "Her spirit is forever etched into the soul of Fisk, an eternal light guiding us toward justice, creativity, and authenticity."
News 2 spoke with Fisk University student Rodney Curry, who said Giovanni has been an inspiration to students for years.
"We have a saying here that we didn't choose Fisk, but Fisk chose us," Curry said. "And I really have a feeling that it really started with her."
In 2021, the university named a lecture series in their writing center after Giovanni as a testament how dedicated she was to students. Giovanni donated to the university's English department and returned several times to host creative writing workshops. She also met with honors students individually when she came to speak at the Fisk's Jubilee Day.
"She focused her efforts on compassion and self-love and defining who we are and defining who our students are through the self," said Dr. Holly Hamby, the writing center's director.
Giovanni was a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. She's also known for poems like "Ego-tripping {there may be a reason why)" and "Knoxville, Tennessee" among others; she also authored more than 10 children's books. Her literary career acted as an inspiration to others on the English educational track, including Dr. Zanice Bond.
Bond told News 2 she met Giovanni in the early '90s while studying at Tennessee State University before becoming an English professor at Tuskegee University. Her teaching, Bond said, is inspired by the late poet.
"I bring — always — into the classroom Black arts movement poets and writers and Nikki is certainly one of them," Bond said. "Another generation of scholars and thinkers will be looking at her work, not only as empowering Black women, but also looking at her in terms of environmental issues and...as an Affrilachian writer."
As of publication, there have not been any announcements about celebrations of life at Fisk University.
