Yolande Cornelia “Nikki”Giovanni, Jr was born on June 7, 1943. Her parents are Yolande Cornelia, Sr, and Gus Giovanni. Nikki was born in Knoxville Tennessee, but grew up in Cincinnati, Ohio. Nikki has an older sister named Gary. For some reason, Gary started calling her sister “Nikki” and the name stuck.
As a child, Nikki stayed home from school a lot because she got sick. Her mother loved books and kept a library in their home. While staying home, she explored the many books of her mother’s library. She began to read a lot and discovered some of her favorites. Her favorite authors include Langston Hughes, Paul Laurence Dunbar, and Richard Wright.
After 9th grade, Nikki moved back to Knoxville to live with her grandparents. Two of her teachers
As a child, Nikki stayed home from school a lot because she got sick. Her mother loved books and kept a library in their home. While staying home, she explored the many books of her mother’s library. She began to read a lot and discovered some of her favorites. Her favorite authors include Langston Hughes, Paul Laurence Dunbar, and Richard Wright.
After 9th grade, Nikki moved back to Knoxville to live with her grandparents. Two of her teachers