Author, poet, professor, and activist Nikki Giovanni has died at 81. Giovanni, who was a professor at Virginia Tech, passed away peacefully with her lifelong partner, Virginia Fowler, by her side, according to CNN.

A voice for the people, Giovanni dedicated her life to illuminating the struggles, joys, and triumphs of Black life in America, leaving an indelible mark on literature and activism.

Born on June 7, 1943, in Knoxville, Tennessee, Giovanni spent her formative years in Cincinnati, Ohio, and later attended Fisk University, where her passion for literature and social justice blossomed. During the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s, she emerged as a leading voice, publishing her first poetry collection, Black Feeling, Black Talk, in 1968. Her unapologetic celebration of Black pride, coupled with her sharp critique of systemic injustice, resonated deeply with readers and earned her a place among the most revered poets of her generation.

Throughout her prolific career, Giovanni authored over two dozen books of poetry, essays, and children’s literature, including classics like Ego-Tripping, Cotton Candy on a Rainy Day, and Love Poems. Her work was recognized with numerous accolades, including an NAACP Image Award, a National Book Award nomination, and the Langston Hughes Medal.

As an educator, Giovanni shared her brilliance with countless students during her tenure at Virginia Tech, where she inspired young minds to find their voices and embrace the power of storytelling. Her commitment to education extended beyond the classroom as she championed the importance of literacy and the arts in building a more just society.

Her legacy is one of unyielding courage, boundless creativity, and unwavering love for her people. As she wrote in her iconic poem Ego-Tripping:
“I am so perfect so divine so ethereal so surreal / I cannot be comprehended except by my permission.”

Giovanni was indeed a force beyond comprehension, and her work will continue to inspire generations to come.