Internationally renowned author Nikki Giovanni will read her poetry Friday evening, November 16, at an event that is free and open to the public. The occasion is the celebration of the Fall 2012 issue of Appalachian Heritage. Giovanni was the featured author for this issue. The celebration will begin with a reception at 7:30 p.m. Giovanni will read at 8. The venue is the Appalachian Center Gallery, 205 North Main Street in Berea on the Berea College campus.
Nikki Giovanni is the author of 17 poetry collections, 11 children’s books, and 10 books of prose. One of Oprah Winfrey’s “Twenty-five Living Legends,” she is the recipient of more than 25 honorary degrees. Giovanni has been named “Woman of the Year” by Mademoiselle, The Ladies Home Journal, and Ebony. A native of Knoxville, Tennessee, she was raised in Cincinnati, but spent summers in Knoxville with her grandparents. Since 1977 she has taught at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Virginia.
Appalachian Heritage is a literary quarterly published by Berea College that is devoted to the literature of the Southern Appalachian Region. Each issue features the work of one particular author, but also includes poetry, stories and essays on a variety of subjects relevant to the mountain region.