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Dear Nikki,
It’s hard to find the right words to say goodbye to someone who taught me so much about loving, knowing, and liking myself. Through your poetry, your speeches, and your very presence, you reminded me to stand tall in my truth and celebrate all the layers of who I am as a Black woman.
You made me see that our stories—our joys, our struggles, our everyday moments—are not just worthy of being told; they are powerful, beautiful, and necessary. In your words, I found courage. In your wisdom, I found clarity. You showed me how to love myself boldly and unapologetically, even when the world didn’t always make it easy.
Your passing feels like losing a mentor I never got to thank in person. But your voice lives on in my heart, in every poem you penned, and in the lives of all who were lucky enough to hear you speak or read your words. You’ve left behind more than a legacy—you’ve left a blueprint for how to live fully, authentically, and with boundless love for ourselves and each other.
Thank you, Nikki. You will be so deeply missed, but you will never be forgotten.
With all my love and gratitude! – Micaela, a thankful daughter and Black Woman
