Acclaimed poet Nikki Giovanni visited Emory for two events over the weekend.

On Friday evening, Feb. 21, Giovanni was the guest poet at the 20th anniversary Twelfth Night Revel, the annual literary celebration and fundraiser for Emory's Stuart A. Rose Manuscript, Archives and Rare Book Library. 

On Saturday, she gave a free public reading on campus at the Schwartz Center for Performing Arts. She shared many humorous stories and wonderful poems, then signed hundreds of autographs for attendees.

Giovanni has written numerous poetry collections, beginning with her first self-published volume “Black Feeling, Black Talk” in 1968. She also has published several works of nonfiction, children’s literature and multiple recordings, including the Grammy-nominated “The Nikki Giovanni Poetry Collection.” Her most recent publications include “Chasing Utopia: A Hybrid,” the children’s book of poetry “I Am Loved”  and, as editor, “The 100 Best African American Poems.” 

Among her numerous awards are the inaugural Rosa L. Parks Woman of Courage Award, the American Book Award, the Langston Hughes Award, the Virginia Governor’s Award for the Arts and the Emily Couric Leadership Award. She is a seven-time recipient of the NAACP Image Award.