Poet, writer, activist and educator Nikki Giovanni has been one of America’s leading and most widely read poets for more than three decades. Her work often addresses racism, civil rights and equality, and she has been a strong voice for the black community.

Carlos Andrés Gómez, a poet and actor from New York City, was the 2006 Toronto International Poetry Slam Champion and twice was a National Poetry Slam Finalist. The Christian Association at Penn presents both wordsmiths at its Open Mind for Africa event on May 9. 

Giovanni, who has written nearly 30 books for adults and children, briefly attended Penn’s School of Social Work in the late 1960s. She currently is a University Distinguished Professor of English at Virginia Tech. On the screen, Gómez appeared opposite Denzel Washington in Spike Lee’s box office smash “Inside Man.”

The event takes place from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at First Unitarian Church, 2125 Chestnut St. For more information, call 215-746-6350 or visit www.upennca.org.

The cost is $25 per person ($45 with reception), $15 per student ($35 with reception). Please pay at www.upennca.org or make checks payable to “The Christian Association.” Proceeds go to the CA’s Open Mind for Africa Fund, which helps Penn students do peace and social justice work in African countries.