Acclaimed poet and literary force Nikki Giovanni, who was at the forefront of the Black Arts Movement, and known across the world for her defiant yet endearing prose about race, gender, sex and love has died.

Family, friends, colleagues and millions of fans are mourning the loss of Nikki Giovanni. The acclaimed poet, Civil Rights activist and educator died after battling cancer for the third time.

Nikki Giovanni, the poet, author, educator and public speaker who rose from borrowing money to release her first book to decades as a literary celebrity sharing her blunt and conversational takes