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