Scholar Profile
Amanda Gorman
Literature
Biography
Amanda Gorman made history in 2017 by being named the first ever National Youth Poet Laureate in the United States. Born and raised in Los Angeles, she is a graduate of Harvard with a B.A. in Sociology. Since publishing a poetry collection at 16, her writing has won her invitations to the Obama White House and to perform for Lin-Manuel Miranda, Al Gore, Secretary Hillary Clinton, Malala Yousafzai, and others. Amanda has performed 4th of July and Thanksgiving poems for CBS and she has spoken to large audiences at venues across the country, from the Library of Congress to Lincoln Center. She has received a Genius Grant from OZY Media, as well as recognition from Scholastic Inc., YoungArts, the Glamour magazine College Women of the Year Awards, and the Webby Awards. She currently writes for the New York Times newsletter The Edit and recently signed a two-book deal with Viking (a division of PenguinRandom House) after a bidding war involving eight publishers. Most recently, she traveled to Slovenia with Prada as a reporter on the company's latest sustainability project.
High school: New Roads School
Degrees
| College | Year | Degree |
|---|---|---|
Harvard CollegeCambridge, MA |
2020 | B.A. Sociology |
News and Highlights
Style Icon: Congratulations to Amanda Gorman, MS '16, who is featured in this month's issue of Vogue Magazine, The Rise and Rise of Amanda Gorman. The National Youth Poet Laureate of the United States has been on a tour of television shows along with a Super Bowl appearance following her performance of her poem, "The Hill We Climb," for President Biden's inauguration.
Inauguration Highlight: One of the highlights of the presidential inauguration was delivered at the podium by National Youth Poet Laureate of the United States and Milken Scholar, Amanda Gorman, MS ’16, as she recited her poem, “The Hill We Climb,” before tens of millions of viewers and history. Amanda became the youngest poet laureate to speak at a presidential inauguration and her words will echo for many years to come.
Make Room on Your Bookshelf: Amanda Gorman, MS '16, has been offered a two-book deal with Viking Children's Books. Look for the first title, "Change Sings: A Children’s Anthem," in 2021!
Amanda Gorman, MS '16, was featured on The Today Show for Black History Month as the first African American Youth Poet Laureate. Amanda is a sophomore at Harvard studying literature and politics.
A poet among us! Congratulations to Amanda Gorman, MS '16, who has been named the first National youth poet laureate! This award honors a teen poet who demonstrates not only extraordinary literary talent but also a proven record of community engagement and youth leadership. Amanda is a rising sophomore at Harvard studying literature and politics.