Nikki Giovanni

On Thursday the 13th I went to Valencia Community College to hear Nikki Giovanni speak, what a thrill. Dr. Giovanni is one of the most widely read and respected poets in the world and while you may (or may not) agree with everything she says you have to respect how committed she is to telling her own truth. If anyone encapsulates the phrase "to thine own self be true" it's her. She spoke on a wide variety of topics including Michael Vick, (who was once her student at Virginia Tech) Bill Cosby, (whose comments on the black community to step up and do for self was something she was none too thrilled about) Rosa Parks, (who was the topic of a book that Dr. Giovanni has written about) and the need for more poets of color to get a postage stamp in their honor.
Nikki Giovanni has been on the front lines for poetry and education for years and when I finally got a chance to meet her and give her a kiss on both cheeks I felt like I was kissing history. Being back on a college campus made me realize even more how lucky all the students are to be getting an education and the importance of getting as much out of that experience as possible. As for her poems I would recommend "Kidnap poem", "Ego-tripping", "Nikki-rosa", "Knoxville, Tennessee", "Alone" and "Communication".
While I'm talking about poetry I hope everyone reads a book called "Immersed in Verse" by Allan Wolf. It should be mandatory reading for teachers and students in all schools. It will change the way you look at poetry I guarantee it.

Submissions

Sending out your manuscripts to publishers and magazines is a lot like being an actor and sending out your headshots and resumes to prospective theatres, film companies and the like. When I first started acting professionally 10 years ago it seemed like a never-ending process and that hasn't dissipated much since. One thing is for certain, I take great comfort in how many rejections writers I adore such as Jane Yolen, Rebecca Kai Dotlich and Allan Wolf (just to name a few) have faced. If there's anything I've learned in my years as an actor it's that it's not the end result that matters as much as the journey and all the lessons you learn on that journey that matter. Last Friday I sent out 6 manuscripts as well 13 headshots and resumes to different places in the country. I have a feeling the twain shall meet like that for many, many years to come in my life...and that's all right by me.