Martin Luther King Jr. Day kicked off a week of events celebrating the many achievements and contributions he made during the civil rights movement.
Nikki Giovanni, also known as the “Princess of Black Poetry,” visited the Salt Lake Community College Grand Theatre on Thursday, Jan. 18, to serve as the keynote presenter for SLCC’s Martin Luther King Jr. celebration.
Giovanni is a poet, author, activist, and professor. Her poetry covers an array of topics, from race to love and even grief; some of her work has been known to stir the pot and start conversations.
Reading from her new book, “A Good Cry,” Giovanni’s words filled the air and sparked emotion and cheer throughout the theatre. Drawing in on her life experiences, the audience was able to witness an in-depth description of what it was like to live as a person of color during the civil rights movement.
“Although civil and women’s rights have come along way, it still has a long way to go,” Giovanni stated during the question-and-answer portion of the event, giving insights on the current political climate of the country.
Beth, an attendee of the event, said, “This was an inspirational event, and the poetry was simply amazing, especially coming from the writer’s own mouth.”
To learn more about Giovanni and her publications, visit her website.
