~22 minute read
Nikki Giovanni (June 7, 1943 – December 9, 2024)
Nikki Giovanni is known for her powerful works that explored themes of race, identity, family, and social justice, Giovanni's poetry resonated with readers for its honesty, courage, and lyricism. From her acclaimed collections like Black Feeling, Black Talk, and Cotton Candy on a Rainy Day, she gave voice to Black experiences and became a guiding figure in both literature and activism.
Giovanni's works celebrated Black joy, resilience, and beauty while confronting societal inequities. As a professor at Virginia Tech, she nurtured countless students, inspiring new generations of writers. Her influence extended beyond the written word, as she was also a celebrated speaker and cultural icon who championed justice and love in equal measure.
Nikki Giovanni shared an enduring and impactful relationship with fellow literary giant James Baldwin, highlighted by their groundbreaking 1971 Soul! interview. This televised conversation remains a cultural milestone, capturing their honest and often emotional exchange on race, gender, art, and the Black experience in America. Giovanni, then 28, and Baldwin, 46, brought powerful perspectives shaped by different generations yet united by their commitment to justice and Black empowerment. Their dialogue ranged from societal struggles to deeply personal reflections, emphasizing the need for Black love, unity, and understanding in a turbulent era.
This interview not only showcased their mutual respect and admiration but also revealed Baldwin's tenderness and Giovanni's bold intellect. Giovanni challenged Baldwin with fresh perspectives, particularly on the evolving dynamics between Black men and women, sparking a candid and thought-provoking discussion that remains relevant today. Their conversation was later published as A Dialogue and continues to inspire readers and scholars alike.
In light of Giovanni's passing this week, revisiting moments like her conversation with Baldwin reminds us of her profound impact—not just as a poet but as a fearless thinker who influenced generations through her words, relationships, and unwavering advocacy. This week, the world mourns the loss of Nikki Giovanni, who passed away at the age of 81. Her legacy will live on through her timeless poetry, her advocacy for the underrepresented, and her unshakable commitment to humanity's betterment. She leaves behind a body of work that will continue to educate, inspire, and uplift for generations to come. I encourage you to do the same.
It Starts at Home
As far as I can remember, I’ve always loved reading, which made going to school, visiting the library, writing reports, and reading out loud a lifelong pastime. My mother made me read during summer break and write book reports. She would return my submission with multiple corrections and lots of red ink highlighting my errors. When I would ask questions, she would answer them with another question and make me find the answer in the dictionary or encyclopedia. In fifth grade, there was an essay contest in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. that my mother practically wrote 95% of, which helped me win first place even though we submitted it at the 11th hour.
Lesson: Always apply. The worst thing they can say is no.
Later, I would capture my thoughts in several diaries with a tiny key to keep them safe. One of those entries was about a new student who just moved into the neighborhood. The first day she rode the bus, I moved over to share my seat. I introduced myself, and we began a friendly exchange. Not too long after that, she befriended and moved to the back of the bus with the popular kids whom she encouraged to make fun of me (I always found it interesting they chose to sit in the back of the bus – but I digress). One day, I wrote a simple prayer asking God to help me overcome the bullying. Before the school year ended, that new student was expelled for bringing a nail clipper to school.
Lesson: God answers prayer.
The focus of their jokes was my hair. Admittedly, I didn’t know how to care for my hair. My mother had a few styles in her back pocket, but I primarily depended on Mrs. Velma, who gave me my first perm, haircut, and dyed it a beautiful blonde, as well as Mrs. Johnson, who braided it for years. Mrs. Velma had a beauty shop alongside her husband’s barber shop in Quantico Town, Virginia, right next to the train tracks. Mrs. Johnson lived in Dale City, Virginia, and she braided my hair in her house. My dad was often deployed overseas as a Marine, my mom worked long hours at the prison, and sometimes we just couldn’t get to Dale City. Even though my dad was busy protecting our country, he found the time to write me handwritten letters which we exchanged through the United States Postal System and I stored in a Pictionary box.
Opportunities:
• The countless hours I spent in the beauty salon on Saturdays now become of great value as I write the Dermatology DNP Project Ideas book, advise doctoral students, and develop community partnerships.
• Understanding of the mental health impact as a result of lack of education (and all the people who could benefit from that education) on how to treat and care for the skin and hair – an area of interest known as psychodermatology.
Don’t Major in Science?
I initially wanted to be a teacher, but that changed in high school when I didn’t have a car. I quickly realized if I became a teacher, I wouldn’t be able to afford to buy my children a car either. So, when I applied to college, I selected computer science as my major. Then, upon advisement by a minister in my church, I switched to information technology. Hated the first semester and realized I needed to select a path for reasons other than money. I asked myself, if time, money, age, and other people’s opinions didn’t matter, what would I do? I selected dentistry. Changed my major to pre-med biology – a major I would go on to struggle through because I lacked a study strategy. During my junior year, a senior student told me that people who apply to medical and dental schools stand out when they are not science majors! I wasn’t about to start over. Instead, I did the next best thing: I added a minor. I minored in English with a concentration in technical writing. My professor, a former smoker, admitted that he had a suspicious lesion removed from his face and was awaiting results. The irony was not lost on him that he would quit smoking only to be diagnosed with cancer decades later. He brought to our attention that the last time most people are taught grammar is in middle school, and if you don’t take the time to continue learning, you won’t be taught it again (it was his way of helping us embrace all the corrections to our papers by him and our peers). He also taught me that I could get paid to edit and write – a new opportunity presented itself.
During this phase in my academic journey, I became intimate with the scientific method and fell deeply in love with science, from the lab to the literature and everything in between. If I had to start over, though, I would major in a foreign language and minor in biology.
Lesson: If you want to stand out in a competitive field, do something different.
I attended Radford University, originally known as a women’s college for teachers. While it was no longer a women’s-only college, it was still known for training teachers, and even though I changed majors, I didn’t think to change schools. I also applied and was accepted to Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, otherwise known as Virginia Tech, in Blacksburg, Virginia. Radford gave me a scholarship (one I would later lose), had larger rooms and private bathrooms, and someone from my high school was a student there. On the other hand, Virginia Tech didn’t offer any money, had tiny rooms and a community bath, and I didn’t know anyone there. Easy decision to make. Nevertheless, I spent a lot of time on and off the campuses of Virginia Tech while Nikki Giovanni was working there. She was a professor in the English Department for 35 years and only recently retired in 2022.
Opportunity: Start the DMV Dermatology NP + PA Group and meet someone from Blacksburg, VA, who wants to help the group expand in southwest Virginia.
Me and Mahogany
Writing allowed me to experience a lot of freedom. Freedom of thought. Freedom of expression. The exploration of my past, the curiosity of my future, and the fascinating world of science. Right before graduation, I got a tattoo placed on my back that reads, “Phredum.” I vividly remember designing it on a Word document in my friend Nina’s dorm room right before making an appointment. After graduation, I wrote when the words would find me and shared the contents with my friends, Nina being one of them. I would end by saying, “These are my words, my words on paper.” That led to my first unpublished book titled, “Phredum Articles,” which was a collection of poems lacking any formal structure or rhyme. Nevertheless, I printed a hard copy that has since lived in my parents’ home and is a permanent record of young love, heartbreak, and healing. Another friend and Supervisor of Sunday School, Mrs. Montgomery, who read my work, encouraged me to apply to Hallmark to write for their line, Mahogany. Hallmark has been making cards that reflect African American culture since the 1960s, but the Mahogany name was first introduced in 1987. You can purchase the cards to commemorate all occasions, holidays, and sentiments.
Lesson: The freedom you seek is already within you.
My Words on Paper
I studied Anatomy and Physiology (A&P) in high school, as an undergraduate biology major, as a graduate biomedical engineering student, as a bachelor of science nursing (BSN) student, and again as a nurse practitioner student. At the University of Memphis, where I earned my BSN, I also taught A&P to the pre-nursing majors, a class that at one point enrolled over 400 students per semester. As a tutor, I was required to attend lectures and participate in tutor training, which I did until graduation. Additionally, I held tutor sessions where I facilitated active learning. The students taught one another, utilized the whiteboard, and received quizzes in preparation for the upcoming exam. Both the sessions and I became well known for the quizzes that I created (this was long before ChatGPT). Anyone could have access to the questions, but I only gave the answers to students who attended tutoring sessions.
When I sat in the auditorium, I quickly realized how many lives you have the power to influence when you stand at the front. I observed how the professor utilized the same notes year after year, reinforcing the same message. The resources he used to teach the course would long outlive the authors who wrote it. While he was teaching 400 students, each of them had the potential to impact 1000s of lives. So, by proxy, teaching allows you to impact 1000s of lives for generations.
Lesson: You will learn the most by teaching. You help the most by writing.
How to Become a Key Person of Influence
When I ask my colleagues and aspiring clinicians why they want to work in healthcare, the popular response is, “I want to help people.” If this is true, then we must realize the limitations to which we can help people directly – which is usually the focus of nursing students and novice practitioners.
When we look at our physician colleagues who, despite their rigorous course load, still participate in research, publish, and apply to and accept leadership positions. This has allowed them to have a strong standing in society, be seen as Key Persons of Influence, and enjoy the credibility and confidence that comes with that.
There are some stark differences when we compare medical and nursing students. In nursing, students are more likely to work from the time of application through to earning a doctorate. They are often the head of the household. With nursing being female-dominated, this leaves a large percentage of our workforce responsible for family planning, creation, and rearing. When you couple this with the time required to participate in research, publish, and lead organizations, you can see some of the barriers. Some initiatives are in place to have nursing be included in the list of STEM and STEAM professionals. This change would allow us to meet the inclusion criteria for relative funding, which can further support students and clinicians financially, so work can be optional or used to supplement our income and support nursing research. Most importantly, we would be positioned to receive the recognition we deserve for our application of science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematic principles.
Key Person of Influence: The Framework
Even though we make up the largest segment of the healthcare workforce, we are still fighting for our credibility. There are many solutions, but the one I present today is to recognize that hidden in the word authority is the word author. In his book, of the same name, Daniel Priestly presents a framework on how to become a Key Person of Influence: become recognized, respected, and influential in dermatology. This is framework has been the best advice I've received in the last two years.
1. Pitch: Develop a clear, concise, and compelling message that articulates who you are, what you do, and the value you offer. A strong pitch helps establish your credibility and attracts opportunities.
2. Publish: Share your expertise through content creation—such as articles, blogs, books, or podcasts—to position yourself as a thought leader in your industry.
3. Product: Create products or services that showcase your knowledge and skills. These should be scalable and allow others to access your value, such as courses, tools, or branded offerings.
4. Profile: Build and maintain a professional and visible presence across digital and offline platforms. Your profile should reflect your achievements, expertise, and influence.
5. Partnerships: Leverage strategic collaborations and relationships to amplify your reach and open doors to greater opportunities. Partnerships can elevate your reputation and help you tap into new markets.
What Nikki Giovanni Has Taught Me
I didn’t learn about Nikki Giovanni until I was living in Boston, Massachusetts, where I attended Tufts University, and worked as a graduate research assistant at Children's Hospital Boston - an experience that would inspire me to pursue nursing. I discovered her around the same time as Bell Hooks, Rebecca Walker (Alice Walker’s daughter and the reason I joined Twitter), Belle da Costa Greene, and several other notable women (I have a fascination for biographies and reading about the historical context in which people grow up). While it saddened me to hear of her passing, I am forever grateful that I can continue to access her thoughts, perspectives, and philosophies through her work. I’m forever grateful that she recognized the power of embedding herself in the pages of history. You cannot be embedded in the pages of history if you do not see the value or take the time to write your words on paper.
When you write your words on paper to teach a student how to assess inflammation in skin of color, or you develop a policy that increases access to broadband in rural communities so patients can utilize teledermatology, or you lead research to develop guidelines for screening for Central Centrifugal Cicatricial Alopecia (CCCA) in adolescents do it the way Nikki would have done it. Be resolute. Don’t wait for permission. It doesn’t matter whether you’ve seen five patients or 500 patients. You are a nurse practitioner. If you are interested in specializing in dermatology, learn as much as you can about how your unique experiences can be leveraged to improve outcomes, deliver care more efficiently, and be more inclusive. I think that’s what Nikki would have done and that’s what I plan to do.
Mahogany Telederm Nurse Internship
The Mahogany Telederm Nurse Internship is my creation. It is a chance to build a nurse research team dedicated to improving access to dermatology nursing education and research, with specific interest in skin of color. The application closes December 15, 2024. You can apply here.
*Rights to the images of Nikki Giovanni belong to Nikki Giovanni unless otherwise stated.
Kimberly Madison, DNP, AGPCNP-BC
I am a nurse practitioner entrepreneur who specializes in dermatology nursing education and research with an emphasis on skin of color. I created this blog to share my journey as a source of motivation and as a blueprint, as you embark on your journey. Most importantly, I’m looking forward to increasing access to dermatology education and clinical training for aspiring and practicing nurse practitioners. I invite you to view the mission and vision statement on the homepage to see how we can best partner to make our dreams align.