Nikki Giovanni, poet and proud Knoxvillian, dies at 81

Yolande Cornelia “Nikki” Giovanni Jr., the beloved Knoxville native and internationally recognized poet and provocateur, died Monday in Blacksburg, Virginia.

Giovanni, 81, has held many titles. She was a writer, activist, educator, Langston Hughes Medal and NAACP Image Award recipient, Grammy Award nominee, and much more.

Giovanni was born on June 7, 1943 in Knoxville to her parents, Yolande Cornelia Sr. and Jones “Gus” Giovanni. Soon after her birth, Giovanni’s family moved to Cincinnati, Ohio, and then to Wyoming before Giovanni returned to Knoxville to visit Austin. East High School. Giovanni often visited her grandparents’ home at 400 Mulvaney Street (now Hall of Fame Drive) and wrote several popular poems about her time in the city.

Giovanni did not dream of becoming a writer. “I think I just realized there was nothing else I could do,” she said. “I wasn’t pretty, I couldn’t sing or dance and I couldn’t play the piano. Once you start eliminating things, you think, “What am I left with?” What I’m left with is watching. I look at everything in every room I’m in. And if you watch, in the end you can only be a writer, because you will share what you have seen with others.”

Giovanni’s legacy has inspired Knoxvillians of all ages and was honored with a historic monument in her name in front of the Cal Johnson Recreation Center, the last remaining reminder of her childhood on Mulvaney Street.

“I really appreciate Mayor (Madeline) Rogero placing this plaque,” Giovanni said. “While the plaque says ‘Nikki Giovanni,’ it is actually for the black community in Knoxville.”

Giovanni was a passionate advocate for the rights of African Americans during the Civil Rights Movement. She demonstrated against segregation in front of the Tennessee Theater, one of many battles she led on behalf of black Americans.

“We weren’t trying to tell white Americans what to do,” Giovanni said. “We tried to remember that we have a right.”

Giovanni was loved by her many fans and friends.

She cooked with authors Margaret Walker, Maya Angelou and Toni Morrison (and insisted she was a far better cook than Angelou).

She listened to the music of her friends Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie and Nina Simone.

She traveled with Muhammad Ali when he was robbed of his belt and belonged to the same sisterhood as Aretha Franklin and Barbara Jordan.

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Nikki Giovanni, poet and proud Knoxvillian, dies at 81

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