Renowned poet Nikki Giovanni has passed away at the age of 81 after battling cancer.

Born Yolande Cornelia Giovanni Jr. in Knoxville, Tennessee, later nicknamed “Nikki”. She became known for her impactful poetry that explored themes of love, politics, loneliness, and race, Giovanni emerged as a prominent figure in the Black Arts Movement with her first collection, Black Feeling Black Talk, published in 1968.

Allison (Pat) Ragan, Giovanni’s cousin, made a statement on behalf of the family, “We will forever feel blessed to have shared a legacy and love with our dear cousin.”

Throughout her career, she made significant contributions to literature and education, teaching English at Virginia Tech for over three decades.

In 2009, she wrote a poem for then-incoming President Barack Obama, per the request of NPR:

“I’ll walk the streets

And knock on doors

Share with the folks:

Not my dreams but yours

I’ll talk with the people

I’ll listen and learn

I’ll make the butter

Then clean the churn”

Despite her passing, Giovanni’s final book of poetry, titled THE LAST BOOK, is set to be released next year.