Nikki Giovanni, Celebrated Poet of Black Experience, Dies at 81

Nikki Giovanni, the prolific poet, author, educator and captivating public speaker whose words embraced themes of race, love, social justice and even space travel, has died at the age of 81.

Giovanni, the subject of the prize-winning 2023 documentary “Going to Mars," died Monday with her lifelong partner, Virginia "Ginney" Fowler, by her side.

Giovanni’s cousin, Allison (Pat) Ragan, confirmed the news in a statement: “We will forever feel blessed to have shared a legacy and love with our dear cousin,” Ragan wrote.

Known for her deeply personal and often humorous approach, Giovanni held audiences captive with her powerful takedowns of injustice alongside her reflections on love, motherhood and the complexities of existence.

Hers was a voice that intrigued and challenged, marked by a sense of urgency and an effortless blend of vulnerability and strength.

A spirit of defiance resonated through her work, echoing the era of the Black Power movement, but also celebrating the beauty of Black culture and womanhood.

Giovanni’s impact extended far beyond the page. Through readings, televised interviews and appearances, she connected with generations of fans who found kinship in her untamed spirit and unflinching honesty.

One could say she was "appointed Poet Laureate of the Black Experience," who captured the pulse of communities, documenting history, resilience and the sheer joy of Black life. She excelled at unravellionatdom. She wore many hats – poet, author, educator and fiercely brilliant public speaker, captivating audiences with her innate ability to connect with people from all walks of life.

Her early collections, “Black Judgement” and “Black Feeling Black Talk," launched her into literary orbit, each stirring powerful emotions and sparking important conversations about race and society. Her voice resonated with those dedicated to progress, amplified by its inclusion in the anthology "The Locked World," published in 1967, which showcased new poets countering racism and calling for social change.

She embraced the spoken word, sharing her work on stages around the world, her vibrant personality echoing through televisions into homes, even raising the roof at packed concerts.

Her candor resonated deeply. She wasn’t only a writer but also a confessor, inviting readers into her world, sharing

She didn’t shy away from controversy. Her critics might say she was sometimes too blunt.

Giovanni’s unapologetic approach to exploring Black voices within poetry mirrored the breakout decade of Black Power.

Her words not shied away from conversation about N, racism, love and arguments against injustice

"Night Comes Softly" became a landmark anthology Canvas when She edited a groundbreaking anthology of works by Black women poets, and worked with others to launch a publishing cooperative that promoted works by Gwendolyn Brooks, Angela Davis and many more.

Always willing to challenge the status quo, the poet once declared, “They never understand / Black Love is Black Wealth.” Giovanni, true to form, often weaved political commentary into her lyrical tapestry unpacking the beauty and struggle of living as a Black woman. In 1973, she received a National Book Award nomination for "Gemini," a prose piece exploring her life journey.

Giovanni never shied away from sharing her ongoing internal journeys, turning personal experiences into universal sermons of something bigger than herself.

Though often deemed a "rebel," Giovanni’s motivations were rooted in love for her community – a love that flowed through her work, even in lines about politics, love, and even revolution

From Near-Fatal Accident to ‘Knives Out 3’: Jeremy Renner Reflects on His Career and Life’s Journey

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Turning Grief Into Holiday Grace: A Book and Ornament Offer Comfort

Ken Rohlf found a new way to honor his late wife, Sherri. It arrived in the form of a book and a Christmas ornament, both inspired by their bittersweet journey through grief.

Dec. 25 is a particularly mournful occasion, a stark reminder of the loves ones they’ve lost. But Rohlf’s family embraces this day with heartfelt resilience through an annual shift in celebration. They gather weeks beforehand, converging at their cabin for food, laughter, and a rekindled spirit steeped in remembrance. “The holidays are this difficult time. Our society wants everything to be perfect around the holidays but it’s also this time we take most, throughout the year, to think about people who are lost and gone. I think [ ‘Christmas Sun’ ] could also be read by adults to remember people,” said Rohlf.

A Story Born from Love

Sherri, a devoted book lover, had imbued the family gatherings with a sense of warmth and joy she ventured to replicate by contributing significantly to her local community. As a testament to her life and legacy, a foundation established in her memory annually gifts a book to every first-grader in Eagan.
It made sense to express these ideas in a book — Rohlf’s first, though he has since written two others he hopes to publish — because Sherri had been a book lover. In fact, for her memorial, the family received more than $37,000 in gifts that they turned over to the Eagan Rotary, of which Sherri had been a member.

His self-published book “Christmas Sun” explores the experience of grief through a comforting and hopeful lens, reminding readers that their loved ones’ presence lives on in the glow of cherished memories.
Acompanion to the book is a small, delicate ornament designed to evoke a sense of calm and connection during the holiday season.

Sharing the Legacy of Love

Rohlf hopes “Christmas Sun” will become a tradition for families navigating the complex emotions that often accompany the holiday season. His vision is for readers — both young and old — to keep the book and ornament in a special box, drawing them out each December to reignite the flame of remembrance and celebrate the enduring bond with those who are no longer present.

Rohlf streamlined the publishing process by self-publishing, making the book and ornament accessible online through his website,divers retailers, and local bookstores. “I’m hoping to get it in some local stores,” said Rohlf. “There are a lot of people who might appreciate it, especially losing someone during the holidays”

A Mysterious Gesture From Above

Rohlf shared an experience that touched him deeply. On a blustery day last spring during a visit to Sherri’s mausoleum, a strange and comforting sensation washed over him. “I kind of felt this warmth coming on my shoulders,” Rohlf said with a quiet touch of wonder. “It was one of those weird things you remember. It felt like Sherri.
He looked up, and a beam of sunlight was shining directly on him, sun at the center of that sky, coming just down on where I was standing. And I thought, ‘Sherri, is that you?

“‘It could have been a coincidence, Rohlf said, his voice gentle, “but I think she probably would be very proud that we did this. ”

The book and ornament, he hopes,
will serve as reminders of that eternal thread of connection, offering solace and comfort to those grappling with loss during the holiday season.

Shep Rose Blindsided by ‘Southern Charm’ Fan’s Deception

Shep Rose, Charleston’s perpetual bachelor, found himself ensnared in a heartbreak of epic proportions during the latest season of “Southern Charm.” The reality star’s costars have revealed that Rose was unwittingly smitten with a fan who had a boyfriend all along, a revelation that left both the cast and viewers reeling.

A Love Story Cut Short by Deception

Venita Aspen, long a confidante to Rose, shared her heartbreak in an exclusive interview. “I think it was really sad to see a fan use him, because I think Shep was actually in love with her,” SEAT id=”apj_after_last_p” class=”apj” disclosed. “And this is the first time we see Shep in love, and she just used him.” The emotional toll on Rose was palpable, painting a portrait of his vulnerability rarely seen on screen.

Adding another layer of disbelief, Aspen revealed further shocking details. “It was a joke,” she continued. “There’s a whole TikTok of her actual boyfriend floating around on the internet. She had a boyfriend that she decided to post after we were done filming.” This revelation sent shockwaves through the “Southern Charm” fanbase, cementing the narrative of Rose being the unwitting victim of an elaborate ruse.

“stalker” Claims and a Grandmother’s Fan Page

“Honestly, I was told she was a stalker,” Madison LeCroy disclosed when asked about the situation during a recent red carpet event. “But not really her, more so her grandmother. It gets weird. Her grandmother runs a fan page.” LeCroy’s statement added a darkly comedic twist to the saga, hinting at a bizarre and intricate web of fandom reaching into Rose’s personal life.

The tenth season of “Southern Charm” promised drama and delivers in spades. This unforeseen love triangle has become the season’s central storyline, with fans eager to witness how Rose navigates the emotional fallout from this jarring experience.