It’s Black History Month, and I want to switch things up a bit. Today, I’m talking about one of my heroes—Professor Nikki Giovanni. She was a poet, writer, activist, and educator, and if you don’t know her yet, you’re about to.
Who is Nikki Giovanni?
Some of you might be wondering, “Who is Nikki Giovanni?” She was a force. The first time I saw her was in an old interview with the legendary writer and activist James Baldwin. Baldwin was brilliant, but that day? Giovanni stole the show. She left him speechless—and if you know Baldwin, that’s saying something.
In the interview, she said something that stopped me in my tracks. She told Baldwin, “Lie to me.” Baldwin, confused, replied, “I can’t.” She smiled and insisted, “You must!” The way she challenged him, the way she turned words into power—it hooked me instantly.
From that moment, I had to learn more. I started reading her work—Knoxville, Tennessee, Love Poems, The Collected Poetry of Nikki Giovanni—each book, each line filled with wisdom, truth, and fire.
A Commitment to Her People
One of my favorite stories about Giovanni is when someone asked her if she’d follow other Black artists to Paris. She didn’t even hesitate. She said, Why would I do that? My people are here. My struggle is here. I can’t just leave my people and live THE life while they’re suffering HERE.
That hit me hard because I feel the same way. Some of my closest friends—Rick, Fred, Romal, Vance, Robert, Rudy, and Joe—talk about retiring to Africa. And while I love visiting, I always tell them, I’m not moving. My people are here. The fight is here.
Hearing Giovanni say it decades earlier? It just confirmed what I already knew—she was one of the greats.
The Art, The Moment, and The Meeting
My love for her work grew into something more. My brother Romal Tune got me deep into art, and I started commissioning paintings of my heroes. One day, I came across a beautiful old photograph of a young Nikki Giovanni and knew I had to have it painted. My cousin Yacel, an incredible artist from Cuba, turned it into a masterpiece—a 4.5-foot by 4.5-foot oil on canvas.
Then, in early 2024, I got the chance of a lifetime. I met Professor Giovanni at one of her talks. She was in rare form—bold, brilliant, speaking her mind like she always did. It felt like a concert—an energy exchange between artist and audience.
After the talk, I had a mission: get my painting signed. I was nervous. She wasn’t there to sign paintings—she was there for her books. But I had a plan.
I sheepishly unrolled the painting while handing her my books. People gasped. She smiled and said, “Look how beautiful I was.” But then she looked at me like, And what do you want me to do with this?
I introduced myself: Hi, Professor Giovanni. I’m Paul Hosch, and I’ve been a fan since the early nineties. I flew all the way from Los Angeles to see if you’d sign this painting I had commissioned of you.
She still seemed unsure. So, I pulled out my secret weapon. I told her, About six months ago, I had a painting commissioned of Professor Angela Davis. I had the honor of meeting her and asked her to sign it. When I told her I’d be asking you to sign yours, she said, ‘You tell Nikki I said to sign that painting.’
Giovanni flashed that brilliant smile, signed it, and said, How is Angie?
I told her, As dynamic as ever. The room was spellbound in her wake.
She nodded. I bet she is.
The Power of Presence
I’ve made some great decisions in my life—asking my wife to marry me, attending USC, staying committed to my relationships, helping nonprofits and now Black churches raise money for community programs, and flying across the country to see Professor Giovanni speak. These moments are treasures.
Being in the presence of giants like Angela Davis and Nikki Giovanni? That’s something I’ll never forget. But more than witnessing them—I believe in picking up the mantle where they left off. As Dame Anita Roddick, the activist and entrepreneur, once said: Do something.
And if you’re wondering what to do in the face of injustice, human rights violations, and large-scale racism and discrimination, you’re doing it right now—learning, reflecting, and preparing to act.
Honor Her Legacy
As Professor Giovanni transitions to the next level of existence, I hope you’ll take a moment to honor her this Black History Month. Pick up one of her books. Reflect on her words. Continue her work. One word, one action at a time.
Just do something.
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