You most likely didn’t know Nikki Giovanni passed away in December 2024 because you didn’t know who she was. 

Ms. Giovanni was a poet and an educator.  A small section of her impressive Wikipedia page follows:

Yolande Cornelia “Nikki” Giovanni Jr.[1][2] (June 7, 1943 – December 9, 2024) was an American poet, writer, commentator, activist and educator. One of the world’s best-known African-American poets,[2] her work includes poetry anthologies, poetry recordings, and nonfiction essays, and covers topics ranging from race and social issues to children’s literature. She won numerous awards, including the Langston Hughes Medal and the NAACP Image Award. She was nominated for a 2004 Grammy Award for her poetry album, The Nikki Giovanni Poetry Collection. Additionally, she was named as one of Oprah Winfrey‘s 25 “Living Legends“.[2] Giovanni was a member of The Wintergreen Women Writers Collective.[3]

I first became aware of Nikki because she wrote the history of the Isley Brothers.  She and the Isley Brothers grew up in the Lincoln Heights section of Cincinnati.   When the Isleys released their three-CD compilation set, the accompanying booklet was written by Nikki.  She taught me all about the Brothers Isley. 

A few years after reading that history, I found myself in Atlantic City at an Isley Brothers concert.  My seat was not only in the first row, but I was leaning on the stage during the performance.  It was a magical night and one of my best concert stories.

But Nikki Giovanni is also in my heart for another reason.  She shared this quote with the world: “Most of us love out of our need to love not because we find someone deserving.”  If you have ever tried to “force” a romance with somebody not deserving of your love and attention (because most of us want a great romance), you are a member of a huge fraternity (or sorority).

This Valentine’s Day, if you find yourself in an uneven romance, and you’re staying in it due to your “…need to love”, you should rethink the issues with staying in an uneven romance (where your partner cares less about you than you care about them).

However, consider yourself lucky if you’re in a healthy, happy, fine romance where you and your partner care equally about each other.  If that is the case, remember to be consistent in expressing your love and affection—all year long.  And you should celebrate the evening with a great dinner.  At that dinner, have the Isley Brothers (or Frank Sinatra or Annie Lennox) serenading your love in the background.

Footnote:  Isley Brothers songs have been covered by The Beatles, AWB, Rod Stewart, etc.  Jimi Hendrix was once in the band.  The first time the Isleys toured Europe they hired a piano player named Reginald Dwight to play keyboards for them.  You know Reginald under another name—Elton John.