The literary world loses another legend.

According to the Associated Press, renowned poet-activist Nikki Giovanni died at the age of 81 on Monday. While the AP doesn’t explicitly state her cause of death, The Washington Post reports that her friend Kwame Alexander shared a statement revealing that Giovanni died due to complications of lung cancer. Her partner Virginia “Ginney” Fowler was by her side at the time of her passing. Giovanni’s family released a statement on the matter yesterday.

“We will forever feel blessed to have shared a legacy and love with our dear cousin,” Giovanni’s cousin Allison (Pat) Ragan, wrote in the family’s statement.

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