Nikki Giovanni was one of the world’s most widely read poets. But what isn’t so well-known is just how storied her life was.
Her work inspired science. One researcher thought a bat species looked so much like her that he named it in honor of her – Micronyteris giovanniae. But if a bat seems wild, her peers at Virginia Tech did something more outlandish.
Some of them blamed her for upsetting the student who would terrorize the campus in April 2007. Like many other faculty, Giovanni had asked to have the disruptive student removed from her class. In the aftermath of the shooting, Giovanni spoke words of comfort to Virginia Tech at a memorial for those who lost their lives. However, this wasn’t the first time Giovanni had issues at a university.
Giovanni was expelled from Fisk University. She had entered as a high school junior and, having excellent grades, served as editor for the campus literary magazine. But she disagreed with the rules on campus and was asked to leave for conduct unbecoming of a “Fisk woman.” Giovanni later re-enrolled and graduated with honors.
Giovanni devoted her life to Black stories. She reminds us that just as her stories inspire us, our stories can do the same. Stories are how we sustain ourselves in this life and beyond. What stories will you tell today to inspire our people tomorrow?