2008 Woodie Awards
Poet, author, activist educator Giovanni at MLK dinner
Ron Gamble
Issue date: 1/16/08 Section: College News
On April 4, 1968 the world seemed to stand still when the well-loved equality advocate and civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was abruptly taken from this planet by a gunshot fired out of hatred. To commemorate the life and works of Dr. King, the IUPUI Black Student Union is hosting the 38th Annual Celebration Dinner Jan. 20.
Every year, this celebration features special guest speakers such as Benjamin Hooks, former director of the NAACP, the famed American poet Maya Angelou and this year American poet Ms. Nikki Giovanni. This world-renowned poet, writer, commentator, activist, educator, mother and cancer survivor was born June 7, 1943 in Knoxville, Tennessee.
Giovanni graduated with honors from Fisk University in Nashville, receiving a B.A. in history. Before earning her undergraduate degree, Giovanni involved herself in the Black Arts Movement. Also, in 1964 she played a large role in the organization of the influential Civil Rights Organization.
This brilliant and courageous woman has written nearly twenty books of personal and political poetry, poems that she felt were a reflection of the moment. After the birth of her only son, she also tried her hand at children's poetry as well.
After the Virginia Tech shooting last year, Giovanni, who is currently an instructor at Virginia Tech, was one of the first to speak out about the tragedy that took the lives of 32 people.
Professor Giovanni spoke at the Convocation and provided with her words hope and the strength to move forward after the shooting.
"We are sad today, and we will be sad for quite a while," Giovanni said. "We are not moving on, we are embracing our mourning. We are Virginia Tech."
This year's Dr. King celebration will be held at the Downtown Hyatt Regency Hotel in the Cosmopolitan Ball Room at 6 p.m.
Every year, this celebration features special guest speakers such as Benjamin Hooks, former director of the NAACP, the famed American poet Maya Angelou and this year American poet Ms. Nikki Giovanni. This world-renowned poet, writer, commentator, activist, educator, mother and cancer survivor was born June 7, 1943 in Knoxville, Tennessee.
Giovanni graduated with honors from Fisk University in Nashville, receiving a B.A. in history. Before earning her undergraduate degree, Giovanni involved herself in the Black Arts Movement. Also, in 1964 she played a large role in the organization of the influential Civil Rights Organization.
This brilliant and courageous woman has written nearly twenty books of personal and political poetry, poems that she felt were a reflection of the moment. After the birth of her only son, she also tried her hand at children's poetry as well.
After the Virginia Tech shooting last year, Giovanni, who is currently an instructor at Virginia Tech, was one of the first to speak out about the tragedy that took the lives of 32 people.
Professor Giovanni spoke at the Convocation and provided with her words hope and the strength to move forward after the shooting.
"We are sad today, and we will be sad for quite a while," Giovanni said. "We are not moving on, we are embracing our mourning. We are Virginia Tech."
This year's Dr. King celebration will be held at the Downtown Hyatt Regency Hotel in the Cosmopolitan Ball Room at 6 p.m.
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