Darling Nikki is a multi-volume anthology of poetry, essays, and visual art created in tribute to the enduring legacy of Nikki Giovanni—one of the most influential literary voices of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. For more than five decades, Giovanni’s work has shaped conversations about race, justice, love, community, and the transformative power of language.

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This anthology gathers emerging and established writers and artists whose work reflects the intellectual, emotional, and creative impact of Giovanni’s life and career. The collection brings together a wide range of forms—including poetry, personal essays, experimental texts, and visual artwork—to celebrate the many ways Giovanni’s voice continues to inspire new generations of creators.

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The project is conceived not only as a memorial tribute but also as an offering: a gathering of works that speak to the vitality of Giovanni’s legacy and the communities of writers, readers, and thinkers who have been shaped by her presence in American literature.​