Virginia Festival of the Book Presents: A Tribute to Nikki Giovanni: Celebrating a Legacy through Poetry, Music, and Dance

The legendary poet Nikki Giovanni’s impact extends beyond the world of poetry. As an activist and educator, Nikki left an indelible mark on the world.

Virginia Humanities’ Virginia Center for the Book will proudly honor her legacy with an evening of dance, music, poetry, and prose—some of Nikki’s favorite things—in a special Virginia Festival of the Book event featuring authors Jericho Brown, Rita Dove, Tayari Jones, and Remica Bingham-Risher, as well as the Leah Glenn Dance Theatre and other performers, authors, and musicians, in a program under the guiding vision of Furious Flower Poetry Center founder Joanne Gabbin, and the artistic direction of local theater-maker Constance Swain.

A voice of power and grace, she ignited minds with her poetry. A champion of civil rights and Black arts, she wove words of truth, love, and resilience. Nikki Giovanni’s legacy inspires generations to embrace their voices and fight for a more just world.