Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Amanda Gorman

Discover the career path of Amanda Gorman, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Amanda Gorman is an American poet, activist, and model known for her work addressing oppression, feminism, race, and the African diaspora. She was the first National Youth Poet Laureate and gained widespread recognition for her poem "The Hill We Climb," delivered at Joe Biden's inauguration in 2021. This performance catapulted her to international fame, leading to best-selling books and a professional management contract. Gorman's powerful and evocative poetry has established her as a prominent voice in contemporary literature and social commentary.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

2013: Inspiration from Malala Yousafzai

In 2013, Amanda Gorman was inspired to become a youth delegate for the United Nations after watching a speech by Pakistani Nobel Prize laureate Malala Yousafzai.

2014: First Youth Poet Laureate of Los Angeles

In 2014, Amanda Gorman was chosen as the first youth poet laureate of Los Angeles.

2015: Publication of "The One for Whom Food Is Not Enough"

In 2015, Amanda Gorman published her poetry book, "The One for Whom Food Is Not Enough".

2015: Publication of Poetry Book

In 2015, she published the poetry book 'The One for Whom Food Is Not Enough'.

2016: Founded One Pen One Page

In 2016, Amanda Gorman founded the nonprofit organization One Pen One Page, a youth writing and leadership program.

April 2017: Named National Youth Poet Laureate

In April 2017, Amanda Gorman became the first person to be named National Youth Poet Laureate.

September 2017: Performance at the Library of Congress

In September 2017, Amanda Gorman became the first youth poet to open the literary season for the Library of Congress. She wrote "In This Place: An American Lyric" for her performance at the Library of Congress, commemorating the inauguration of Tracy K. Smith as Poet Laureate of the United States.

2017: Featured on XQ Institute's Book of the Month

In 2017, Amanda Gorman became the first author to be featured on XQ Institute's Book of the Month, a monthly giveaway to share inspiring Gen Z's favorite books.

2017: Presidential Aspirations

In 2017, Amanda Gorman stated her intention to run for president in 2036.

2018: Glamour's College Woman of the Year

In 2018, Amanda Gorman was selected as one of Glamour magazine's "College Women of the Year", where she expressed her desire to inspire people as a young black woman in politics.

2018: Poem Displayed at Morgan Library

In 2018, The Morgan Library and Museum acquired Amanda Gorman's poem "In This Place (An American Lyric)" and displayed it near works by Elizabeth Bishop.

2019: Named a Young Futurist

In 2019, Amanda Gorman was chosen as one of The Root magazine's 'Young Futurists'. She also expressed support for abortion rights in a NowThis News video.

2020: Graduation from Harvard

In 2020, Amanda Gorman graduated cum laude from Harvard College as a member of Phi Beta Kappa, where she studied sociology.

January 6, 2021: Amending The Hill We Climb

After the storming of the United States Capitol on January 6, 2021, Amanda Gorman amended her poem's wording to address the event.

January 20, 2021: Inauguration Poem

On January 20, 2021, Amanda Gorman read her poem "The Hill We Climb" at the inauguration of Joe Biden, becoming the youngest poet to read at a presidential inauguration in United States history.

February 7, 2021: Super Bowl LV Performance

On February 7, 2021, Amanda Gorman delivered an original poem at Super Bowl LV's pregame ceremony, honoring essential workers.

February 2021: Time Magazine Cover

Amanda Gorman made the cover of Time magazine's February 2021 issue.

March 2021: Publication of "The Hill We Climb"

In March 2021, a book version of the poem "The Hill We Climb" was published, with a foreword by Oprah Winfrey, and debuted at No. 1 on several bestseller lists.

September 13, 2021: Met Gala Co-Host

On September 13, 2021, Amanda Gorman co-hosted the Met Gala.

September 2021: Book Release

In September 2021, Amanda Gorman's upcoming books, the poetry collection 'The Hill We Climb' and a project for youth, 'Change Sings: A Children's Anthem' were at the top of Amazon's bestseller list.

September 2021: Estée Lauder Global Changemaker

In September 2021, it was announced that Amanda Gorman would become the first Estée Lauder "Global Changemaker", as a representative of the brand in ad campaigns and speaking events, in addition to work with the company's grantmaking program to promote literacy for girls and women.

December 2021: Release of Poetry Collection

In December 2021, Amanda Gorman released her poetry collection, 'Call Us What We Carry', published by Viking Books. The collection received critical acclaim.

2021: Support for Presidential Aspiration

After Amanda Gorman read her poem "The Hill We Climb" at President Joe Biden's inauguration in 2021, Hillary Clinton tweeted her support for Gorman's 2036 aspiration.

2021: Rise to Fame

In 2021, Amanda Gorman rose to fame after writing and delivering her poem "The Hill We Climb" at the inauguration of Joe Biden. Subsequently, two of her books became best-sellers, and she secured a professional management contract.

May 2022: Poem on Robb Elementary School Shooting

In the wake of the May 2022 Robb Elementary School shooting in Uvalde, Texas, Amanda Gorman published a short poem on Twitter and encouraged action to promote gun safety, as well as penning the poem, “Hymn for the Hurting.”

June 24, 2022: Support for Abortion Rights

On June 24, 2022, Amanda Gorman continued to express her support for Roe v. Wade and abortion rights in a poem posted on Twitter.

2024: Speaker at Democratic National Convention

In 2024, Amanda Gorman was a speaker at the Democratic National Convention.