January 22nd 2024.
Taraji P. Henson was thrilled to lend her voice to narrate the newest documentary by renowned writer and educator, Nikki Giovanni. After her highly publicized press tour for her role in The Color Purple, which many are predicting will win her an Oscar, Henson is now busy promoting her part in another Academy Award contender, the feature film Going to Mars: The Nikki Giovanni Project, which she also had a hand in producing.
According to Deadline, in the HBO documentary, Henson reads some of Giovanni's poetry, taking viewers on a visual journey through the writer's career, spanning back to the 1960s. It was no easy task for Henson, who had to step away from her usual acting roles and focus on capturing Giovanni's essence as both a poet and an activist.
"We had to find a balance," Henson explained. "When you're reading Nikki's poems, it's important that it sounds like her. It needed to feel like her. Her words are almost like a conversation, they're matter-of-fact. There's no performance involved."
The documentary, which was awarded the top prize at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival, delves into Giovanni's rise in the 1960s, her activism, and her thought-provoking critiques of institutionalized racism. It also explores the content of her poetry, including her 2010 collection, Quilting the Black-Eyed Pea. In the title poem, Giovanni imagines a human expedition to Mars and urges NASA to seek guidance from Black Americans, whose ancestors faced the challenges of the Middle Passage.
Having attended two HBCUs (historically Black colleges and universities) herself, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University and Howard University, Henson was already familiar with Giovanni's work. However, she admits to feeling a bit nervous about meeting the legendary writer. "She's not one to tolerate foolishness," Henson joked. "But I could tell that she liked me. It was a relief, like, 'Phew, I passed the test.'"
With two consecutive projects based on the work of literary icons, Henson couldn't help but praise both Giovanni and The Color Purple author, Alice Walker, for their impact. "Because of these women, I am able to stand here and talk to you. They paved the way for me to have a voice," she told The Hollywood Reporter. "They may not be actors, but their work is crucial to what I do and who I am as a Black woman. They were visible. I saw them. They made it possible for me to dream. Watching Nikki Giovanni unapologetically be herself and stand up for what she believes in gave me the courage to use my own voice and inspire those who come after me. Speak up for yourself. That's how change happens."
In the end, Henson is honored to have been a part of this project, which she believes will continue to inspire and empower others. "She gave me a voice," Henson said of Giovanni. "And now I hope to do the same for others."
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