The acclaimed writer and literary celebrity wrote over 20 books, including ‘Black Feeling Black Talk’ Nikki Giovanni, renowned poet, activist and leading figure of the Black Arts Movement, has died. The author died on Dec.

Giovanni, 81, died on Monday with her lifelong partner, Virginia "Ginney" Fowler, by her side, according to a statement from friend and author Renée Watson. "We will forever be grateful for the unconditional time she gave to us, to all her literary children across the writerly world," fellow poet Kwame Alexander told US media.

Nikki Giovanni, a prominent poet, civil rights activist and educator, has died at 81. 'We will forever be grateful for the unconditional time she gave to us.'