{"href":"https://api.simplecast.com/oembed?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcurated-questions.simplecast.com%2Fepisodes%2Fgiovanni-12CIKz_L","width":444,"version":"1.0","type":"rich","title":"Nikki Giovanni: Reflections On Life, Galaxies, & A Poetic Exploration of Questions | Nikki Giovanni #10","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_url":"https://image.simplecastcdn.com/images/bbd413c2-75d4-4441-8182-02e9e811affc/474c94d2-7812-42df-8f94-6e67aec72e0a/10-giovanni-episode-art-1.jpg","thumbnail_height":300,"provider_url":"https://simplecast.com","provider_name":"Simplecast","html":"<iframe src=\"https://player.simplecast.com/78267ca1-a9e7-47c1-acdf-7d6bd5b223b4\" height=\"200\" width=\"100%\" title=\"Nikki Giovanni: Reflections On Life, Galaxies, &amp; A Poetic Exploration of Questions | Nikki Giovanni #10\" frameborder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"></iframe>","height":200,"description":"\"We're very much unprepared to meet another life form because we're unprepared to meet ourselves.\" - Nikki Giovanni\n\nMs. Nikki Giovanni is a titan of American poetry, activism, and education. With a career spanning over five decades, her powerful voice has shaped literature, inspired generations, and challenged societal norms. Ms. Giovanni has established herself as one of the most influential figures in American literature and the Black Arts Movement, fueled by her participation in the 1960s Black Power movement. Her work explores race, gender, sexuality, and the Black American experience.\n\nNikki has published dozens of volumes of poetry, essays, illustrated children’s books, and edited anthologies. Her list of nominations and awards is exhaustive and spans the written word, music, culture, and film. She is an Emerita Professor at Virginia Tech, where she taught for 35 years in the Department of English. The 2023 award-winning documentary Going To Mars combined her biographical story with her deep love of space.\n\nThe conversation explores Nikki's reflections on the significance of the power of words, influential librarians, and growing up Black in America. Giovanni shares impactful moments and discusses age, curiosity, societal challenges, and learning philosophies. The dialogue delves into her deep understanding of history, human nature, black women's significance, and space exploration. Giovanni's personal anecdotes and poems provide a rich narrative on societal issues, the beauty of nature, joy, curiosity, and the importance of chosen relationships over familial ties."}