Nikki Giovanni

Nikki Giovanni is a world-renowned poet, writer, commentator, activist, and educator. Giovanni, A University Distinguished Professor at Virginia Tech, will address the theme of purpose. Over the past thirty years, her outspokenness, in her writing and in lectures, has brought the eyes of the world upon her. One of the most widely-read American poets, she prides herself on being "a Black American, a daughter, a mother, a professor of English." Giovanni remains as determined and committed as ever to the fight for civil rights and equality. Always insisting on presenting the truth as she sees it, she has maintained a prominent place as a strong voice of the Black community. Giovanni' graduated with honors from Fisk University, later attending the University of Pennsylvania and Columbia University Honors and awards have been steady and plentiful throughout her career. The recipient of some twenty-five honorary degrees, she has been named Woman of the Year by several magazines. She was the first recipient of the Rosa L. Parks Woman of Courage Award, and she has also been awarded the Langston Hughes Medal for poetry. Her focus is on the individual, specifically, on the power one has to make a difference in oneself, and thus, in the lives of others. The author of some 30 books for both adults and children, Professor Giovanni shall long be remembered as the final speaker at the prayer service for the students and faculty lost during the April 16 Virginia Tech tragedy. Raising her arms to encourage the crowd, her rousing speech and kinship with the masses brought a sense of hope to thousands of listeners in the audience and around the world.