Renowned poet, activist, author and professor Nikki Giovanni has passed away. She was 81. She died peacefully on December 9, 2024, said an announcement from friend and fellow writer Renee Watson, CNN reported.

"The acclaimed poet, Black Arts Movement icon whose poems of wit, wonder, and wisdom were celebrated in children's books, on keynote stages and television shows, and in more than two dozen bestselling poetry collections, died peacefully on December 9, 2024, with her life-long partner, Virginia [Ginney] Fowler, by her side," Watson said while sharing the heartbreaking news.