1998-present Birthplace: Los Angeles, California National Youth Poet Laureate of the United States Poet Activist Author Model. Amanda Gorman was raised by a single school teacher mother, along with a twin sister and older brother. She was diagnosed with an auditory processing disorder and a speech impediment in kindergarten. She struggled with pronouncing “R” sounds which caused problems into her early adult years. Poetry recitals helped her overcome her impediment. Gorman u

1982-present Birthplace: Kansas City, Missouri First African American principal dancer with American Ballet New York Times Bestselling Author As a child facing financial instability, sometimes living in a hotel room as one of six children her single mom worked many jobs to just feed them. At age 13 Copeland and her siblings visited a Boys and Girls Club where ballet teacher Cindy Bradley discovered her and encouraged her to pursue formal ballet training. Very shy and reserved

1973-present Birthplace: Madison, Wisconsin Lawyer Voting Rights Activist Politician Author Served in the Georgia House of Representatives Founder of “Fair Fight” Abrams’ parents participated in civil rights movements and advocated for their six children to participate in education and civic engagement. She grew up in Wisconsin, Mississippi and Georgia as a child. Both her parents became ordained Methodist ministers while Abrams was in high school. In 1991 Abrams w