Nikki Giovanni is the author of more than 30 books for adults and children. She published her first book of poetry, Black Feeling, Black Talk, in 1968 and her autobiography, Gemini, was a finalist for the National Book Award. One of Oprah Winfrey's 25 "Living Legends," Giovanni has received dozens of honorary degrees and the Langston Hughes Medal for Poetry. She was the recipient of the 2007 Carl Sandburg Literary Award presented each year by CPL and the Chicago Public Library Foundation. This event is cosponsored by The Poetry Foundation.