Nikki Giovanni was born in Knoxville, Tennessee. Although she grew up in Cincinnati, Ohio, she and her sister returned to Knoxville each summer to visit their grandparents. Giovanni graduated with honors in history from her grandfather’s alma mater, Fisk University. Since 1987, she has been on the faculty at Virginia Tech, where she is a University Distinguished Professor.
She has been awarded an unprecedented seven NAACP Image Awards; nominated for a Grammy; and been a finalist for the National Book Award. Giovanni has authored three New York Times and Los Angeles Times Best Sellers, an accomplishment that is unusual for a poet. Concord University’s Student Support Services, Black Student Union and Office of Multicultural Affairs are partnering to host Giovanni’s appearance at Concord. The event is made possible with a West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission Diversity for Equity Grant.