Nikki Giovanni, the poet, author, and teacher who became a celebrated literary talent amid the Black Art Movement in the late 60s, has died at 81.

Giovanni’s family released a statement announcing Giovanni died Monday after battling lung cancer.

Born in Knoxville, Tennessee on June 7, 1943, Giovanni was known for her blunt, outspoken nature during her speeches and performances, particularly on the subject racism. She was also the subject of the award-winning 2023 HBO documentary “Going to Mars: The Nikki Giovanni Project,” narrated by Taraji P. Henson.

Giovanni wrote more than 25 books during her career, and spent the latter years of her career as a professor at the Virginia Tech where she retired in 2022.

More on the life and career of Nikki Giovanni.