photo by: Contributed

Nikki Giovanni

One of the country’s most well-known poets, Nikki Giovanni, will speak next month at a free event in Topeka.

The public is invited to join the Washburn University community for an evening with Giovanni from 6 to 8 p.m. March 7 in White Concert Hall on the Washburn campus. The event is free, but those wishing to attend must register at NikkiGiovanniAtWU.eventbrite.com by noon March 6. Refreshments will be served.

The event is in commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the landmark Brown v. Board of Education decision, which ended segregation in public schools.

“Throughout her career, world-renowned writer and educator Nikki Giovanni has used poetry as a tool for social change and building community,” Kelly Erby, interim dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, said in the release. “Her work challenges us to embrace diversity and work toward a more equitable future for all.”

Giovanni has received numerous awards during her career, including seven Image Awards from the NAACP, more than two dozen honorary degrees, the first Rosa Parks Woman of Courage Award, the Langston Hughes Medal for Poetry and the Carl Sandburg Literary Award. Additionally, Oprah Winfrey recognized her in 2005 as one of 25 “Living Legends.” She continues to teach, write and publish books, the most recent of which is “A Good Cry.” Her newest collection, “Make Me Rain,” was released in October of 2020, according to the release.

The event is part of the university’s WUmester program, which is intended to foster a universitywide conversation on a topic related to social justice.