Nikki Giovanni: podcast appearances and interviews

Yolande Cornelia 'Nikki' Giovanni Jr. was an American poet, writer, commentator, activist, and educator. She gained early fame in the late 1960s as a prominent figure of the Black Arts Movement, known for her work that provided a strong, militant African-American perspective influenced by the Civil Rights Movement and Black Power Movement. Her poetry and nonfiction writings encompass themes such as race, social issues, human relationships, and children’s literature, making her one of the world's best-known African-American poets. Over her career, Giovanni published poetry anthologies and recordings, and authored essays; her works include notable poems like 'Knoxville, Tennessee' and 'Nikki-Rosa' which have been widely anthologized. She received numerous awards including the Langston Hughes Medal and the NAACP Image Award, being honored with seven awards and 27 honorary degrees. Recognized as a significant cultural figure, she was named one of Oprah Winfrey's 25 'Living Legends' and was also honored with the key to more than two dozen cities. Giovanni's contributions extended beyond poetry; she co-founded a publishing company to support African-American women writers and wrote children’s books. She held academic positions at Queens College, Rutgers, Ohio State, and Virginia Tech, where she served as a University Distinguished Professor until her retirement in 2022. She also was known for her advocacy after the Virginia Tech shooting in 2007 and was honored with a bat species named after her in 2007. Giovanni was proud of her Appalachian roots and sought to influence perceptions of Appalachians and Affrilachians throughout her life.