How Nikki Giovanni Inspired Me to Speak My Truth Through Poetry? ‣ The Writers Blog

There are moments in life that change you forever. For me, one of those moments happened in the poetry section of my local library back in 1970 something. It was a hot summer day, and I was wearing cutoff jean shorts and a tube top, sitting cross legged on the rough industrial carpet that always made my legs itch, the air conditioning in the library a welcome reprieve from the blazing southern heat outside. That’s where I found her, Nikki Giovanni. Or perhaps she found me.

Her words leapt off the page, bold and unapologetic, slicing through my thoughts and echoing truths I didn’t know I carried. I was twelve, still unsure of the world and my place in it. The poetry of Emily Dickinson had fed my romantic teenage soul, but Nikki Giovanni? She fed my real poet soul. She was not classical or romantic but she was speaking her truth, my truth, The Truth.

Nikki Giovanni gave words to my reality like no other poetry had ever been able to before. She was real, not some romantic figure locked in her room dreaming of love. She was living life and talking about what it meant to live life as a woman. to be alive, to be complex and uncontainable.

Speaking Truth

Nikki Giovanni wasn’t just a poet. She was and always will be a force. Her poetry didn’t dance around the edges; it went straight for the heart. She wrote about love and rage, joy and pain, life and death, and everything in between. And she did it with such fierce honesty that you couldn’t help but be drawn in.

I remember sitting there, reading her words, and feeling like she was speaking directly to me. I discovered then that poetry didn’t have to fit into neat little boxes. It didn’t have to be romantic or flowery or restrained. It could be raw, messy, and full of fire. Poetry, as Nikki showed me, could be a revolution.

An Unstoppable Voice

Nikki Giovanni was a voice for so many. Her words carried the weight of entire movements, the hopes of generations, and the fierce determination of a woman who refused to be silenced. She was unapologetically Black, unapologetically feminist, unapologetically Appalachian, and unapologetically Nikki.

Her poetry painted vivid pictures of the world as it was and as it could be. She challenged us to think, to feel, to act. She showed us what it means to live authentically and to fight for what matters.

Her Appalachian roots gave her a unique perspective, one that celebrated the strength of her heritage while addressing the struggles that came with it. She reminded us that Appalachia is not monolithic, that its stories are as diverse and multifaceted as its landscapes.

Dear Nikki

Nikki Giovanni, you were more than a poet to me. You were a guide, a teacher, and a kindred spirit. Through your words, you taught me how to own my voice and embrace my story. You showed me that poetry could be a mirror, reflecting the truths we sometimes try to hide.

Your legacy is etched into every corner of my being. It’s in the poems I write, in the truths I speak, and in the life I live. You gave me permission to be loud, to be real, and to be unapologetically myself.

You didn’t just write poetry—you lived it. You breathed it. You showed us all what it means to be alive.

As I write this, my heart feels heavy with the weight of your loss. The world feels a little less bright without your fierce, fearless voice. But I know that your spirit lives on in the millions of lives you touched.

Nikki Giovanni, you were a gift to this world. Thank you for everything—for your words, your wisdom, and your courage. Thank you for showing a twelve-year-old girl sitting on the floor of a library that she had a poet’s soul. Thank you for inspiring me to write, to speak, and to live authentically.

Rest in power, Nikki. Your voice will never be silenced.

photo of Nikki Giovanni taken in the late 1970s

Who Was Nikki Giovanni?

Nikki Giovanni was more than a poet; she was a beacon of truth and authenticity. Born in Knoxville, Tennessee, in 1943 and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio, she carried the spirit of Appalachia in her words and the resilience of her people in her voice. Her poetry celebrated Black culture, explored the complexities of womanhood, and challenged societal norms with an unapologetic fierceness that was uniquely her own.

Giovanni first rose to prominence in the 1960s during the Civil Rights Movement. She used her words as tools of resistance, crafting poems that captured the urgency of the times and amplified the voices of those who had been silenced for too long. Her early works, such as Black Feeling, Black Talk and Black Judgement, resonated deeply with readers, offering a raw and unfiltered perspective on race, justice, and identity in America.

A Voice for Women and LGBTQ+ Communities

As a feminist and advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, Giovanni’s work broke barriers and gave voice to experiences that were often marginalized. She celebrated the strength and complexity of women, refusing to adhere to traditional molds of femininity. Her poetry explored love, relationships, and identity with a depth that spoke to the hearts of many, particularly those who had long felt unseen.

Giovanni’s fearless exploration of identity extended to the LGBTQ+ community, where her work became a source of inspiration and empowerment. She embraced the multiplicity of human experience, reminding us that love and authenticity know no bounds.

The Appalachian Connection

Though her name is often associated with urban life and activism, Giovanni’s Appalachian roots were an integral part of her identity. She challenged stereotypes about the region, highlighting the rich cultural tapestry of Appalachia and its often-overlooked Black communities. Through her work, she bridged the gap between the personal and the political, using her unique perspective to celebrate her heritage while confronting its challenges.

A Legacy of Power and Possibility

Nikki Giovanni’s influence extends far beyond the pages of her poetry. She was an educator, a cultural critic, and a fierce advocate for change. Her work inspired generations to speak their truths, to fight for justice, and to celebrate their individuality.

Through her bold, unyielding voice, Giovanni showed us all that poetry is not just an art form—it is a tool for transformation. Whether she was writing about love, loss, or liberation, her words carried the weight of a movement and the light of possibility.

Today, her legacy endures as a testament to the power of words and the enduring spirit of a woman who refused to be anything less than herself.

Resources for Learning More About Nikki Giovanni

Conversations with Nikki Giovanni (edited by Virginia C. Fowler) – A collection of interviews spanning decades, this book offers insights into Giovanni’s thoughts on poetry, activism, and personal experiences.
Poetry Foundation’s Nikki Giovanni Profile – Offers detailed essays on her poetic style and contributions to literature and activism.
African American Poetry Database – Includes a rich history of Giovanni’s career milestones and her broader cultural impact.
Academy of American Poets – Features selected works and biographical context, making it a great starting point.