Tributes to Nikki Giovanni

Ayah Ali, a first-year student, engineering major, and winner of the 2024 Giovanni-Steger Poetry Prize competition

Nikki Giovanni “was truly an inspiration, and it was an honor to meet her last April. Before the Giovanni-Steger Poetry Prize ceremony, she briefly came backstage and spoke to all the finalists to give words of encouragement and inspiration.

"Her work breathes life into the rising generations of writers and activists every day. May we carry on her arts and her advocacy.”

Statement from President Joe Biden

In 2020, Nikki Giovanni’s majestic voice echoed her powerful words, “and sometime, there has to be something called courage. You have it in your hands.”

Born in segregated Knoxville, Tennessee, she became a renowned activist, professor, and literary legend who had that courage in her hands and in her heart.

A pioneering poet of the Black Arts Movement and the Civil Rights era, she used her pen to advance racial and gender equality and confront violence, hate and injustice, alongside some of the most esteemed artists and icons of the past century.

Author of over 25 books, her wit and intellect earned her numerous accolades, including the Langston Hughes medal, an Emmy award, and a Grammy award nomination. A three-time cancer fighter, Nikki offered words of wisdom that gave hope to countless others fighting disease and despair.

Jill and I send our love and condolences to her family — including her wife Virginia, her son Thomas, and her granddaughter Kai — and all those who loved and admired that something special, her courage.

May God bless Nikki Giovanni.

Statement from Vice President Kamala Harris

Nikki Giovanni was a brilliant poet, a big-hearted educator, and an unapologetic voice for justice and equality.

As a leading voice of the Black Arts Movement, she used her poetry to celebrate Black joy and resilience – while also speaking out for racial and social justice.

Nikki was committed to lifting up the next generation too. Over more than three decades as an educator, she empowered her students to express themselves through creative writing, mentoring hundreds of them along the way.

Throughout her career, Nikki never stopped demanding, and fighting for, an America that lives up to our highest ideals: of freedom, opportunity, fairness, and dignity for all. She leaves behind a storied legacy — in literature, education, and in the fight for a more just America.

Doug and I send our prayers to her family, and to all who were touched by her work.

Will Furrer ‘91, former Hokie and NFL quarterback who majored in English

Furrer said Giovanni’s classes were the key to helping him find his voice. Her classroom discussions spanned multiple topics, from music and art to political issues.

“I think she was trying to work the room in a way that was challenging the way we thought in the past or the way that we would think in the future,” said Furrer, an executive fellow for strategy for Q2 banking in Austin, Texas.

He described Giovanni’s pointed questions as constant voices on his shoulder throughout his career.

“That’s the way in which Nikki was able to pass on her creative brilliance to so many others, with these very simple and portable lessons,” Furrer said. 

Aileen Murphy, senior English instructor who directs the annual Giovanni-Steger Poetry Prize competition

“Nikki Giovanni was a bright light in our lives. She regularly brought poetry to everyone’s experience at Virginia Tech, not only as a teacher and a colleague, but also with the poetry prize that she established with President Charles Steger. Every undergraduate student, no matter what field they are in, is encouraged to submit a poem to this competition, sending the message that everyone is capable of making art focusing on, remembering, and celebrating the big and the small moments in our lives. There are many positive qualities of the Virginia Tech student experience, but this is one that gets to our very soul as a university.”

Kelly Barker, a junior at Virginia Tech, majoring in creative writing and professional and technical writing

“When Professor Giovanni was onstage, it didn’t matter if she was reciting poetry, singing, or telling jokes. The audience always hung on to her every word. She could work a crowd like she was born for it and could make people laugh and cry with a single poem. Her spirit was infectious and her words and works uplifted everyone who was lucky enough to be her audience.”

Amy Price Azano, professor of adolescent literacy and rural education

Azano invited Giovanni to speak and read her poems to middle school students who live in rural areas of the state for a one-week camp on Virginia Tech’s campus. When Giovanni walked into the room, the students greeted her like they would a rock star.

“I watched in awe as she captivated a room of middle schoolers,” Azano said. “Nobody ever tells kids the truth, and Nikki spoke with them as if they were old friends. She entertained every question. We laughed with her when she shared that she had recently been an answer on 'Jeopardy' and that made her feel famous — but then the contestant answered ‘Alice Walker!’ On one hand, the campers knew they were in the presence of someone renowned, but her humility and humor and keen kindness made them feel like they belonged in the same places where she belonged.”

Giovanni taught the students that being authentic and sharing their own stories and truth is valuable, she said.

“I know she belonged to the world and was, in fact, otherworldly, but she was also ours,” Azano said.

Gena Chandler, associate chair of the Department of English and associate professor

“Nikki was a wonder. So many people knew her as a phenomenal poet and teacher, but she was an even more exceptional human being—extraordinarily kind, compassionate, and loving.”

Steven White, University doodler

Farewell, Nikki Giovanni!