Busboys and Poets host renowned poet Nikki Giovanni
By Kyra O. Davenport
The snow did not stop D.C. residents from attending the event entitled “The 100 best African American Poets, hosted at Busboys and Poets located at 5th and K in Northwest D.C., Tuesday night,this is one of three locations. When Ms. Giovanni entered the room the crowd roared and clapped with anticipation as they dined. When she was finally introduced she began to greet the crowd with humor as she spoke about the road rage she experienced in route to the restaurant due to the snowfall. She then began to unapologetically discussed politics, racism, sex, money, voting rights, and other issues facing our country.
After her opening, she then began to discuss her latest work “The hundred best African American Poets.” “When I was asked to edit this book I said yes without hesitation, I viewed it as a great opportunity, says Giovanni. She shared one poem in particular called “ entitled “Train Rides” that had the crowd engaged because she also coupled the poem with a real life experience that inspired the poem, the crowd was immersed, and they drank their glasses of wine and hung on Ms. Giovanni’s every word.
The poetry session ended with a question and answer session and a book signing as one fan approached Ms. Giovanni, she yelled out Omar!! How have you been? It was her former student from her tenure at Fiske University. “It such pleasure to see my former professor, taking her course was truly an experience that I will cherish all my life!” says D.C. resident Omar Battle, 27.
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