Join world-renowned poet, writer, commentator, activist and educator Nikki Giovanni for an evening of poetry and conversation.

Lauded for her honest reflections on everything from race and politics to friendship and sexual desire and motherhood and loneliness, Giovanni joins us to share and discuss the breadth of her work and activism and the continuing power of literature in contemporary society.

Giovanni’s first published volumes of poetry grew out of the pressing need she saw to raise awareness and respond to the plight of black people in America and the politics of the time. She has gone on to become one of the world’s most well-known African American poets, and her work includes poetry anthologies, poetry recordings and nonfiction essays, and covers topics ranging from race and social issues to children’s literature.

Southbank Centre is proud to present Giovanni as a lasting cultural icon and winner of numerous awards, including the Langston Hughes Medal and NAACP Image Award, as well as the recipient of a Grammy Award nomination for her album The Nikki Giovanni Poetry Collection. Additionally, Giovanni was named as one of Oprah Winfrey’s 25 Living Legends.