A poet. An author. An educator. Those were just some of the words used to describe Nikki Giovanni, by her colleagues, friends, and those who loved her on social media. Giovanni was in her third battle with cancer,

"Jill and I send our love and condolences to her family—including her wife Virginia, her son Thomas, and her granddaughter Kai—and all those who loved and admired that something special, her courage."

Literary legend and retired Virginia Tech professor Nikki Giovanni completed her final chapter on Monday, 9, 2024.