Nikki Giovanni shares her poetry and wisdom at women’s conference

Trailblazing Black Arts Movement artist and distinguished Virginia Tech professor Nikki Giovanni came to the University of Memphis University Center as the 10th Annual Women’s Honor Conference Keynote Speaker.

The annual conference is presented by the Professional Assertive United Sisters of Excellence (P.A.U.S.E.) and a number of several other campus organizations. P.A.U.S.E.’s mission is to unite UofM women of all races, creeds and economic backgrounds while promoting academic and professional success through workshops and networking. 

The conference included multiple workshop sessions entitled “Grit, Grace and Glow,†during which local professionals discussed present days issues and solutions. Local professionals involved in the event included UofM faculty member of African studies dr. Ladricia Menson-Furr, newly-elected Tennessee state Rep. London Lamar and attorney and blogger Carlissa Shaw.

After the workshops and lunch, The New York Times best-selling author Giovanni spoke. In a lecture style dialogue where she took the podium in front of a room full of women, she began by thanking P.A.U.S.E president Kennedie Toney before speaking on topics ranging from politics, health, race, gender and social culture. 

Giovanni shared how she had told a class she teaches she wanted to go on “Deal or No Deal,†but her students said she would embarrass herself. She told them if the only time in her life she embarrasses herself is on a game show, then she would have led a “calmer life.†She then recited her poem inspired by this event entitled “Deal or No Deal for ENGL 47 (f) CRN 16937.â€

Giovanni, who believes herself to be a mother’s daughter, discussed her poor relationship with her father. Upon seeing abuse between her parents, she said never learned how to cry. She told the story of when she moved back from New York to help her ill father and how she dealt with how he treated her mother. She then delivered a poem about the relationship she had with her mom entitled “I Married My Mother.â€

Giovanni also discussed the social problems surrounding victims in Charlottesville, Virginia, women’s lynching in the Appalachia, the historical importance of civil rights activist Viola Liuzzo, adoption and abortion on which Giovanni said, “It’s none of my business what you do with your body.†She delivered a poem about her love of her home state called “Native Tennessean.â€

Giovanni is also a devout quilter and has partaken in activities with historical Quilts of Gee’s Bend. She concluded her lecture with another one of her poems, “Quilts,†which compares the effects of growing old between a person and a fading piece of cloth.

After her lecture ended, Giovanni engaged in a Q&A session which delved into topics such as her love for the beer Samuel Adams Utopia, the black arts movement influence on hip-hop, the Trump Administration and her 1971 interview with James Baldwin that led to the 1973 book “A Dialogue.†When asked about the interview, she talked about how television producer Ellis Haizlip made the interview happen. Giovanni, who hasn’t seen the interview since it aired, said, “I haven’t looked at it … I’ve learned for my career and own imagination. I don’t go back because I don’t mind making a mistake … I might have contradicted myself … If you’re going to be an artist, you’re going to contradict yourself.â€