Colorado State University Hosts Poet, Writer, Professor Nikki Giovanni for Annual Diversity Summit

Note to Editors: A print-quality photograph of Nikki Giovanni is available on request, as well as a more detailed bio. A question and answer session will be held at the end of the keynote address. To request an independent interview with Giovanni should be submitted in writing by Tuesday, September 21 to dellrae.moellenberg@colostate.edu. Final permission for interviews will be granted by Giovanni’s speaker bureau.

Colorado State University will host well-known writer, Nikki Giovanni, during its 4th Annual Diversity Summit from Sept. 27-30. The summit, centered on the theme, "Grounding Ourselves in Diversity: Data, Dialogue and Direction for the Future," also will include comments from Colorado State President Larry Edward Penley and events to encourage discussion about fostering diversity.

Giovanni will speak on the summit theme at 4 p.m. Sept. 30 in the Main Ballroom of the Lory Student Center at Colorado State.

     Giovanni, one of the most widely read American poets, is well known for her outspoken, passionate discussion and commitment to advancing civil rights and equality in education. She has published several critically acclaimed works including nearly 20 books of poetry and essays.

     A recording of her poems was one of the best-selling albums in the country, and her book, "Racism 101," includes bold, controversial essays about the situation of Americans on all sides of the race issue. Her book, "Blues: For All the Changes," made the Los Angeles Times bestseller list. Her more recent works include "The Collected Poetry of Nikki Giovanni: 1968-1998" and "The Prosaic Soul of  Nikki Giovanni."

     Among her other well-known works are "The Sun is So Quiet," "The Genie in the Jar and Peppermint Dreams," "Shimmy Shimmy Shimmy Like My Sister Kate: A Look At the Harlem Renaissance Through Poems" and "Love Poems of Nikki Giovanni." She has been recognized with awards including being named "Woman of the Year" by three different magazines and receiving the NAACP Image Award twice.

     She has taught writing, poetry and literature at Virginia Tech University since 1987, where she is a University Distinguished Professor.

For more information about the summit and for a complete schedule of events, visit the Web at www.provost.colostate.edu/diversity_summit or call (970) 491-4965.

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