In the rush of daily life, moments of self-celebration often slip away, buried under the weight of routine and responsibility. Yet language—when used with intention—has the power to affirm, uplift, and remind us of our worth. Words that acknowledge our existence honor our contributions and reflect our beauty are not just niceties, but necessities. In short, we all need to Ego Trip.
The phrase ego trip first appeared in the 1960s, according to the Oxford English Dictionary, but the prolific poet Nikki Giovanni imbued it with deeper cultural resonance. Giovanni, an award-winning writer, activist, and educator, cemented the term’s significance with her 1972 poem, Ego Tripping (There May Be a Reason Why), written after her first visit to Africa.
More than verse, the poem is a declaration—an ode to the magnitude of Black achievement. It speaks to a lineage of innovation, creation, and brilliance, stretching across time and geography.
The opening lines are arresting:
I was born in the congo
I walked to the Fertile Crescent and built the Sphinx
I designed a pyramid so tough that a star
that only glows every 100 years
falls into the center, giving divine perfect light.”
—NIKKI GIOVANNI
Here, Giovanni evokes the ingenuity of Black ancestors—architects of wonders that continue to amaze the world. Her words are an assertion, a reminder: Black excellence is not a recent phenomenon but an enduring, undeniable force. More than verse, the poem is a declaration—an ode to the magnitude of Black achievement. It speaks to a lineage of innovation, creation, and brilliance, stretching across time and geography.
All February, BIA will embrace the spirit of Ego Tripping, paying tribute to the members, partners, and visionaries who advance economic and social justice.
Across digital platforms, we will highlight the achievements of Black innovators, amplifying their impact and giving them the recognition they deserve.
To celebrate is to affirm. To honor is to uplift. In doing so, BIA extends a love letter to our culture, the people who have shaped history, and the individuals who continue to write its next chapter.
As Giovanni so poignantly expressed in her poem Nikki-Rosa, “Black love is Black wealth.”
Stay connected with us on our digital channels to be part of the experience.
