Nikki Giovanni, the charismatic poet, activist, children’s book author, and professor, passed away on Monday in Blacksburg, Va. She was 81. The cause of death was complications from lung cancer, as confirmed by her wife, Virginia C. Fowler.

Giovanni was a prolific figure in the Black Arts Movement, which emerged during the civil rights era. This movement included prominent figures like novelist John Oliver Killens, playwright and poet LeRoi Jones (later known as Amiri Baraka), and poets such as Audre Lorde, Ntozake Shange, and Sonia Sanchez. Like many women of the movement, Giovanni navigated the machismo that often dominated it.

Beyond the Black Arts Movement, Giovanni gained independent fame as a celebrity poet and public intellectual. She was widely recognized for her television appearances and national tours. A captivating performer, she was known for her distinctive cadence influenced by jazz and blues, and her ability to captivate audiences, particularly college students and prison inmates. Despite standing at just 105 pounds, her presence on stage was powerful, marked by the timing of a comedian and the fervor of a Baptist preacher.