Poet, Activist, Educator Nikki Giovanni to Speak

Start Date: February 05 7:00 PM
This event is open to the public

Nikki Giovanni is a world-renowned poet, writer, commentator, activist, and educator. Over the past 30 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, Giovanni remains as determined and committed as ever to the fight for civil rights, human rights and equality. Her appearance, which is open to the public, will be on Friday, Feb. 5 at 7 p.m.,  in Kemper Auditorium, in the Elson Art Center, on 5 Chapel Ave., on the Phillips Academy campus in Andover, Mass.  

As a writer, a devoted teacher and an accomplished speaker—who won a Grammy nomination for her spoken word CD—Nikki Giovanni inspires readers and audiences nationwide. In her dazzling lectures, she uses poetry as a backdrop to focus on the individual— specifically, on the power each of us possesses to make changes in ourselves, and thus, to make changes in the lives of others. Reading from her work, and speaking from her decades worth of experience in the civil rights movement, she demonstrates how art both reflects and influences society, and how, through its influence, it can bring lasting change.

Many of Giovanni's books have received honors and awards. Her autobiography, "Gemini," was a finalist for the National Book Award; "Love Poems," "Blues: For All the Changes," "Quilting the Black-Eyed Pea," "Acolytes," and "Hip Hop Speaks to Children: A Celebration of Poetry with a Beat" were all honored with NAACP Image Awards. Most recently, her children's picture book "Rosa," about the civil rights legend Rosa Parks, became a Caldecott Honors Book. "Rosa" also reached #3 on The New York Times Bestseller list. Shortly after its release, "Bicycles: Love Poems" reached #1 on Amazon.com for Poetry.

Giovanni's honors and awards have been steady and plentiful throughout her career. The recipient of some 25 honorary degrees, she has been named Woman of the Year by Mademoiselle Magazine, The Ladies Home Journal, and Ebony Magazine. 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. The author of some 30 books for both adults and children, Nikki Giovanni is a University Distinguished Professor at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Virginia. Giovanni's visit is sponsored by the Ullman Fund and CAMD.