In honour of Black History month, i thought I’d talk about someone who really inspired me this year, though its only the second month of the year. On Jan 6, Amanda Gorman a 22-year-old American poet and activist delivered a breath-taking poem at the Biden-Harris inauguration in front of the US Capitol building. This occurred two weeks after the unprecedented attack on the US capitol in attempt to overturn the election of US president Joe Biden and Vice president Kamala Harris .
She is also an award-winning writer and cum laude graduate of Harvard University, where she studied Sociology .Gorman has an auditory processing disorder and is hypersensitive to sound .She also had a speech impediment during childhood. However, Gorman views her speech impediment as a gift and a strength.
Amanda is the youngest Inaugural poet in US history. Her thoughts and her ability to express herself has opened doors for her. She got an invitation to the White House during the Obama administration. Other high profile performances for Lin-Manuel Miranda, Al Gore, Secretary Hillary Clinton, and Malala Yousafzai. She has received a Genius Grant from OZY media as well as recognition from Scholastic Inc., Young Arts and Glamour Magazine College Woman of the Year Awards. Amanda has also written for the New York Times newsletter 'The Edit' and she penned the manifesto for Nikes 2020 Black History Month Campaign .Her work focuses on issues of oppression, feminism, race, as well as the African diaspora.
In 2021, the 22-year-old National Youth Poet Laureate spoke at US President Biden's inauguration and delivered a sermon on equality and hope in the face of lethal resistance with her poem, “The Hill We Climb.” After her mind-blowing - inspiring performance, Amanda Gorman became an instant star and best-selling author, even becoming the first poet to perform at the Super Bowl with an original poem titled “Chorus of the Captains” in a taped segment.
Amanda Gorman's choice of jewellery says as much about the subject as her eloquent choice of words. Every piece was created by Khiry, . "Amanda and her work are unapologetically rooted in Black cultural traditions. To see her take to the world stage and continue to spread a message of hope and possibility for the future on Inauguration Day was incredibly moving,” says the 25-year-old designer. “In the same month to have her become one of the first people to wear Khiry Fine is an absolute honour.”
At the age of 22, she has done more than many adults in their life. Amanda Gorman's choice of jewellery, created by Khiry, a New York brand that celebrates the culture and heritage of the African diaspora, says as much about the subject as her eloquent choice of words. Her work is unapologetically rooted in Black cultural traditions and it just shows that you can do great things and be successful without neglecting your culture to make others comfortable. She is a role model and I dare say an ambassador for young women of colour aspiring to do great things in life but just need a little motivation.
References;
https://www.theamandagorman.com/
https://www.inc.com/jessica-stillman/amanda-gorman-michelle-obama-super-bowl-optimism.html
https://www.vogue.co.uk/fashion/article/amanda-gorman-khiry-fine-jewellery
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amanda_Gorman
Well done Grace! Keep writing girl. Am proud of you.