Almost two weeks ago, Amanda Gorman, a poet, performed at President Biden’s inauguration. She read her original poem “The Hill We Climb.” Her powerful words, with a primary theme of unity, left the crowd speechless. The most memorable of these include, “And so we lift our gazes not to what stands between us but what stands before us,” and “There is always light if only we’re brave enough to see it, if only we’re brave enough to be it”. Gorman also expressed bits of her past and herself in the poem saying, “We, the successors of a country and a time, where a skinny black girl descended from slaves and raised by a single mother can dream of becoming president, only to find herself reciting for one.” 

In addition to this commonality with President Joe Biden, Gorman shared her experiences growing up with a speech impediment, similar to Biden and his stutter. Gorman doesn’t look at her disability as a weakness; instead, she believes it helped make her the storyteller she has become. Overcoming this obstacle allowed Gorman to perform her outstanding poem, and some would argue her voice sounded even stronger.

Her performance at the inauguration is another success that can be added to her long list of achievements, including graduating with honors from Harvard University. At only 22, she has performed for Lin Manuel Miranda, Al Gore, Hillary Clinton, Malala Yousafzai, and countless others. Not only is she the youngest inaugural poet in US History, but she is the youngest board member of 826 National, the largest youth writing network in the US.

In terms of future endeavors, Amanda Gorman has three books coming out soon. They are set to be released to the public in September, and they have already gained massive pre-sale orders. She is also expected to perform at the Super Bowl with a piece about the game’s three honorary captains: educator Trimaine Davis, nurse manager Suzie Dorner, and veteran James Martin. Shortly after the inauguration, Amanda Gorman was signed to modeling agency IMG, the same agency representing Gigi and Bella Hadid, after the outfit she wore at the inauguration caused searches for yellow coats to increase 1,328%. Ultimately, Amanda Gorman has already achieved so much at only 22, and the world is excited to see what such a passionate individual will accomplish next.