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Subscribe to our newsletter Privacy Policy Success! Your account was created and you’re signed in. Please visit My Account to verify and manage your account. An account was already registered with this email. Please check your inbox for an authentication link. Support Independent Arts Journalism As an independent publication, we rely on readers like you to fund our journalism. If you value our coverage and want to support more of it, consider becoming a member today . Already a member? Sign in here. We rely on readers like you to fund our journalism. If you value our coverage and want to support more of it, please join us as a member . The trailblazing poet, artist, educator, and lifelong activist Nikki Giovanni, known as the “Princess of Black Poetry,” died on Monday, December 9 at a hospital in Blacksburg, Virginia. She was 81. Giovanni’s publicist told local reporters that she passed away after complications related to lung cancer with her wife, Virginia “Ginny” Fowler, by her side. Born Yolande Cornelia Giovanni Jr. on June 7, 1943, in Knoxville, Tennessee, she grew up between her birthplace and Ohio and attended Fisk University, graduating in 1967. In the wake of the death of her grandmother and the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. the following year, she began writing poetry to process her grief. Giovanni went on to publish over 20 poetry collections and more than a dozen illustrated children’s books, winning numerous prizes including the inaugural Rosa Parks Woman of Courage Award in 2002. Her best-known works include her first three poetry collections, Black Feeling, Black Talk (1968), Black Judgment (1968) and Re: Creation (1970), which drew inspiration from her key role in the Black Arts Movement of the 1960s and ’70s , when Black American intellectuals and artists of various disciplines used their work to celebrate African-American culture and create new community spaces focused on self-determination. It was also during this period that Giovanni had a historic multi-topic conversation with writer James Baldwin for the public television program Soul! Originally filmed in London in 1971, the episode was later transcribed and adapted into the collaborative book A Dialogue (1973) and continues to resonate decades later for its illuminating questions and candid commentary on subjects spanning race, gender, and politics. “An educator, activist, and iconic poet, Nikki Giovanni challenged us to examine love, revolution, and what it means to be human — all while being a beacon of light to anyone who met her, including me,” Joy Bivins, director of the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture in New York City, told Hyperallergic . Get the latest art news, reviews and opinions from Hyperallergic. Daily Weekly Opportunities “Each of us had our own treasured Nikki Giovanni work that not only lifted our spirits but reminded us to use our own voices to make change,” Bivins said. In 2023, Giovanni was the subject of Michèle Stephenson and Joe Brewster’s biographical documentary Going to Mars: The Nikki Giovanni Project . The poet made headlines earlier this year when she joined the filmmakers and writer Doreen St. Félix in boycotting a scheduled screening and discussion around the film at the Brooklyn Museum to protest the institution and its program partner, PEN America, for their alleged silence on Israel’s ongoing attacks on Palestine. “I stand with my producers and understand pain. I hope peace and the prayers for peace will be answered,” Giovanni told Hyperallergic in March. In addition to her poetry and activism, Giovanni is widely recognized for her children’s works, including the illustrated biography Rosa (2005) about Civil Rights activist Rosa Parks, whom Giovanni knew personally. She also produced several nonfiction works and essays, edited anthologies, and created multiple audio recordings merging spoken-word poetry with music, such as Truth Is On Its Way (1971), Like a Ripple on a Pond (1973), and The Way I Feel (1975). More recently, Giovanni published Make Me Rain: Poems & Pros e (2020), which celebrates her Black heritage while also delving into the enduring effects of racism and white nationalism. Her final collection of poetry, The Last Book , is slated to be released next year. “My dream was not to publish or to even be a writer: My dream was to discover something no one else had thought of. I guess that’s why I’m a poet. We put things together in ways no one else does,” Giovanni wrote on her website . In addition to her literary contributions, Giovanni held teaching positions at Rutgers University and Queens College before taking a job at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, where she met Fowler, who became her life partner. The couple later married in 2016. Her commitment to advocacy is what inspired artist Robert Shetterly to paint her portrait for his Americans Who Tell the Truth series (2002–ongoing), which pays tribute to past and present American truthtellers. Shetterly told Hyperallergic that he included her in his project “because of her fearless insistence of telling the truth about racism and misogyny in this country.” “The power and precision of her words were like an arrow into our stubborn, unwoke hearts,” Shetterly said. In addition to Fowler, Giovanni is survived by her only child, Thomas Watson Giovanni, and a granddaughter, according to the New York Times . “We mourn this profound loss and find comfort in the fact that Nikki Giovanni’s incredible words are a legacy that will continue to heal, delight, and inspire generations to come,” Bivins said. We hope you enjoyed this article! Before you keep reading, please consider supporting Hyperallergic ’s journalism during a time when independent, critical reporting is increasingly scarce. Unlike many in the art world, we are not beholden to large corporations or billionaires. Our journalism is funded by readers like you , ensuring integrity and independence in our coverage. We strive to offer trustworthy perspectives on everything from art history to contemporary art. We spotlight artist-led social movements, uncover overlooked stories, and challenge established norms to make art more inclusive and accessible. With your support, we can continue to provide global coverage without the elitism often found in art journalism. If you can, please join us as a member today . Millions rely on Hyperallergic for free, reliable information. By becoming a member, you help keep our journalism free, independent, and accessible to all. Thank you for reading. Share Copied to clipboard Mail Bluesky Threads LinkedIn FacebookChess grandmaster Magnus Carlsen returns to a tournament after a dispute over jeans is resolved NEW YORK (AP) — Top ranked chess player Magnus Carlsen is headed back to the World Blitz Championship on Monday. That's after its governing body agreed to loosen a dress code that got him fined and denied a late-round game in another tournament for refusing to change out of jeans. The International Chess Federation president said in a statement Sunday that he’d let World Blitz Championship tournament officials consider allowing “appropriate jeans” with a jacket, as well as other "minor deviations” from the dress code. Carlsen quit the World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships on Friday. He said Sunday he would play — and wear jeans — in the World Blitz Championship. 'Sonic 3' and 'Mufasa' battle for No. 1 at the holiday box office Two family films are dominating the holiday box office, with “Sonic the Hedgehog 3” winning the three-day weekend over “Mufasa” by a blue hair. According to studio estimates Sunday, the Sonic movie earned $38 million, while “Mufasa” brought in $37.1 million from theaters in the U.S. and Canada. The R-rated horror “Nosferatu” placed third with an unexpectedly strong $21.2 million. Thanksgiving release holdovers “Wicked” and “Moana 2” rounded out the top five. Christmas Day had several big film openings, including the Bob Dylan biopic “A Complete Unknown,” the Nicole Kidman erotic drama “Babygirl” and the boxing drama “The Fire Inside.” Charles Shyer, ‘Father of the Bride’ and ‘Baby Boom’ filmmaker, dies at 83 An Oscar-nominated writer and filmmaker known for classic comedies like “Private Benjamin,” “Baby Boom” and “Father of the Bride," Charles Shyer has died. He was 83. On Sunday his daughter Hallie Meyers-Shyer told The Associated Press that he died Friday in Los Angeles. No cause was disclosed. Born in Los Angeles in 1941 to a filmmaker father, Shyer's big breakthrough came with co-writing “Private Benjamin” for which he and Nancy Meyers received an Oscar nomination. He and Nancy Meyers were frequent collaborators through their nearly 20-year marriage, including on the remake of “The Parent Trap," starring Lindsay Lohan. LeBron James at 40: A milestone birthday arrives Monday for the NBA's all-time scoring leader When LeBron James broke another NBA record earlier this month, the one for most regular-season minutes played in a career, his Los Angeles Lakers teammates handled the moment in typical locker room fashion. They made fun of him. Dubbed The Kid from Akron, with a limitless future, James is now the 40-year-old from Los Angeles with wisps of gray in his beard, his milestone birthday coming Monday, one that will make him the first player in NBA history to play in his teens, 20s, 30s and 40s. He has stood and excelled in the spotlight his entire career. Belgium will ban sales of disposable e-cigarettes in a first for the EU BRUSSELS (AP) — Belgium will ban the sale of disposable electronic cigarettes as of Jan. 1 on health and environmental grounds in a groundbreaking move for European Union nations. Health minister Frank Vandenbroucke tells The Associated Press that the inexpensive e-cigarettes have turned into a health threat since they are an easy way for teenagers to be drawn into smoking and get hooked on nicotine. Australia outlawed the sale of “vapes” outside pharmacies earlier this year in some of the world’s toughest restrictions on electronic cigarettes. Now Belgium is leading the EU drive. Belgium's minister wants tougher tobacco measures in the 27-nation bloc. Charles Dolan, HBO and Cablevision founder, dies at 98 Charles F. Dolan, who founded some of the most prominent U.S. media companies including Home Box Office Inc. and Cablevision Systems Corp., has died at age 98. Newsday reports that a statement issued Saturday by his family says Dolan died of natural causes. Dolan’s legacy in cable broadcasting includes founding HBO in 1972, Cablevision in 1973 and the American Movie Classics television station in 1984. He also launched News 12 in New York City, the first U.S. 24-hour cable channel for local news. Dolan also held controlling stakes in companies that owned Madison Square Garden, Radio City Music Hall, the New York Knicks and the New York Rangers. Snoop's game: Snoop Dogg thrills the crowd in the bowl that bears his name TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) — Miami of Ohio beat Colorado State in the Arizona Bowl, but Snoop Dogg was the main attraction. The Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl presented by Gin & Juice by Dre and Snoop was much a spectacle as a football game. Snoop Dogg seemed to be everywhere all at once, from a pregame tailgate to the postgame trophy presentation. Snoop Dog donned a headset on Colorado State's sideline, spent some time in the broadcast and even led both marching bands as conductor during their halftime performance. Snoop Dogg saved the best for last, rolling out in a light green, lowrider Chevy Impala with gold rims and accents, the shiny Arizona Bowl trophy in his hand as fans screamed his name. Mavs star Luka Doncic is latest pro athlete whose home was burglarized, business manager says DALLAS (AP) — Luka Doncic of the Dallas Mavericks is the latest professional athlete whose home has been burglarized. The star guard’s business manager tells multiple media outlets there was a break-in at Doncic’s home Friday night. Lara Beth Seager says nobody was home, and Doncic filed a police report. The Dallas Morning News reports that jewelry valued at about $30,000 was stolen. Doncic is the sixth known pro athlete in the U.S. whose home was burglarized since October. Star NFL quarterbacks Patrick Mahomes of Kansas City and Joe Burrow of Cincinnati are among them. The NFL and NBA have issued security alerts to players over the break-ins. Victor Wembanyama plays 1-on-1 chess with fans in New York Victor Wembanyama went to a park in New York City and played 1-on-1 with fans on Saturday. He even lost a couple of games. Not in basketball, though. Wemby was playing chess. Before the San Antonio Spurs left New York for a flight to Minnesota, Wembanyama put out the call on social media: “Who wants to meet me at the SW corner of Washington Square park to play chess? Im there,” Wembanyama wrote. It was 9:36 a.m. And people began showing up almost immediately. Norwegian chess grandmaster Magnus Carlsen quits a tournament in a dispute over jeans NEW YORK (AP) — The International Chess Federation says top ranked player Magnus Carlsen has left the World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships after refusing to change out of the jeans he wore to the competition. The federation said Friday that its regulations include a dress code that bars participants from wearing jeans at the event. The Norwegian chess grandmaster says he accepted a $200 fine but refused to change his pants out of principle before leaving the competition in New York. The federation said the dress code is designed to ensure professionalism and fairness for all participants.