Acolytes

Startling and original, prescient and illuminating, here is a new collection from the poet who has become an icon. . . .

“The work of Nikki Giovanni has been as evolutionary as it has been revolutionary. One of the finest poets of our time. . . Her work still resonates.”—Ebony

"If there was a need for poetry that galvanized and inspired, there was also a demand for poetry that comforted and unified — and Ms. Giovanni provided on both counts." — The Washington Post

Across stirring poems and candid essays, Giovanni confronts history, memory, and hope:

• Black History and the Civil Rights Movement: Unflinching poems that bear witness to the lives of Rosa Parks and Emmett Till, exploring the struggles and triumphs that define the American story.
• Tributes to Black Artists: Powerful invocations for icons like Nina Simone and June Jordan, celebrating the voices that shaped generations of art and activism.
• Family and Memory: Tender, intimate reflections on mothers and grandmothers, capturing the quiet strength and enduring love that anchor a life.
• Unflinching Social Commentary: Giovanni’s signature voice, sharp and prescient, cuts through the noise to confront injustice, challenge hypocrisy, and demand a better world.