Growing up

Amanda and her twin sister were born on March 7, 1998, in Los angles, CA. She is currently 22 years old. She was raised by her single mother Joan Wicks who was a teacher. From birth, Amanda was diagnosed with an auditory processing disorder and is very sensitive to sound. She also had a speech impediment during childhood. Although she had obstacles with determination and dedication she was able to turn them into strengths. As she told The Harvard Gazette in 2018,“I always saw it as a strength because since I was experiencing these obstacles in terms of my auditory and vocal skills, I became really good at reading and writing.” Amanda's mother is what sparked Amanda's inspiration for poetry. Although, it all truly started when she was 7 or 8 years old. In an interview, Amanda states that "My Teacher had us reading Ray Bradbury Danieline Wine.. OMG Bradbury Related Candy to something else"that's when she knew what she wanted to do.

Education

Gorman attended New Roads, a private school in Santa Monica which is a school that encourages and promotes diversity in its students to the staff As a senior, she received a Milken Family Foundation college scholarship. She studied sociology at Harvard College, graduating cum laude in 2020 as a member of Phi Beta Kappa. While at Harvard started an organization called One Pen One Page which had the objective of inspiring other young writers to share their voices. Amanda says in one of her interviews that she try's to "Break Through the Door, but hold it to let  others through" this means that she is taking the first step to a process but pathing a way for others to follow this is the purpose of the One page One pen organization
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Accomplish/Achievments

The Begging to a great Future

At a very young age, Amanda has been able to achieve many accomplishments from writing books to obtaining rewards. She can do this with her creative and skilled writing, speeches, and performances. Throughout her life she has consistently been growing in popularity, creating a name for herself, and inspiring others to speak up. Constantly she strides to improve in her craftsmanship and what she loves to do.

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Here are some of the many accolades, accomplishments, and experiences that Amanda has achieved
  • Amanda is the first black women Youth National Poet Laurate.
  • Amanda is the youngest poet ever to perform at a presidential inauguration https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jp9pyMqnBzk
  • She has published 3 books called "The Hill We Climb", "Change Sings: A Children's Anthem", and "The Hill We Climb and Other Poems"
  • Her works have won her invites to the Obama White House, as well as to perform for Lin-Manuel Miranda, Hillary Clinton, Malala Yusafzai, among several others. She has also performed many commissioned poems for news programmes and has spoken at events across the US.
  • She has been featured on the College Women of the Year Awards by Glamour Magazine, and the Webby Awards. She also helped write the campaign for Nike’s 2020 Black History Month
  • She has also recite the 'Chorus of the Captains' at Super Bowl LV https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EegjfPlz5Rk

Interesting facts

Birdcage Ring

Before Amanda reading of the inauguration poem Oprah gifted Gorman a pair of earrings and birdcage ring, referencing previous inauguration poet Maya Angelou's work "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings."

Lion King Audition

When Amanda was still a kid she audition for a role as Nala from the lion king in the video it talks about her experience and funny moments from her unsuccessful audition and what she gained from it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PD2_uKaugPI&t=1s

Super Bowl

She has also recite the 'Chorus of the Captains' at Super Bowl LV https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EegjfPlz5Rk

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