“A nation that isn’t broken, but simply unfinished. There is always light. If only we’re brave enough to see it. If only we’re brave enough to be it.”
Amanda Gorman’s amazing and moving speech from the Inauguration today. Just beautiful✨ I was so inspired I had to draw Amanda Gorman showing us that there is more light to be had, if we can step up and see it✨
Inaugural poet Amanda Gorman discusses her powerful message
Amanda Gorman captivated the nation with her poem “The Hill We Climb.” The 22-year-old talks to Lester Holt about her journey and what influenced her words here.
Today in Black Excellence: Amanda Gorman—activist and poet laureate
“There is always light, if only we are brave enough to see it, if only we are brave enough to be it.”
—Amanda Gorman
Where have you heard this name before?
You may have watched the 22-year-old poet reading her moving poem, ‘The Hill We Climb’ during the inauguration of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. On that chilly day in January, the Los Angeles native joined an esteemed list of poets that includes Robert Frost and her idol, Maya Angelou. Just in case you missed her during the inauguration, she also recited her poem ‘Chorus of Captains’ before the 2021 Super Bowl Game.
What was Amanda doing before she graced us with her presence at the inauguration?
Amanda was the first person to be named National Youth Poet Laureate in 2014 and published a book of poetry, The One for Whom Food Is Not Enough, in 2015. In 2016, Gorman founded the nonprofit organization One Pen One Page, a youth writing and leadership program. In 2017, she became the first author to be featured on XQ Institute’s Book of the Month and became the first youth poet to open the literary season for the Library of Congress.She has read her poetry on MTV and been featured in The Root Magazine and Glamour.
“It was a great honour for me to illustrate Amanda Gorman. She has demonstrated to many young girls, boys, women and men that they can achieve absolutely anything that they put your mind to. Her perseverance, individuality and optimism make her a breath of fresh air as well as an inspiration to many, and I wanted this piece to reflect that.”
