Amanda Gorman
The Presidential inaugural poet and activist is a dedicated advocate for children’s rights. "I couldn't be prouder to work alongside UNICEF and continue to support their mission to provide essential aid to children worldwide."
UNICEF Ambassador since 2025
Presidential inaugural poet and activist Amanda Gorman had already been working with UNICEF USA for over four years when she was named Ambassador in December 2025.
The announcement came on the eve of the 20th annual UNICEF Gala, where Amanda performed her original poem "With This Bright Voice," evoking the event's theme of possibility around creating a better world for children.
The piece ends on a note of hope:
We respond in every strife and struggle,
because every child is phenomenal,
and to every child we are responsible.
This is not just purpose.
Now, more than ever,
it is possible.
Well before she was named Ambassador, Amanda was already leveraging her platform to educate, advocate and fundraise on behalf of children worldwide, especially children caught in emergencies and children in need of education, health care and protection.
Learn more about what UNICEF does to support children globally
Born in Los Angeles, Amanda is a cum laude Harvard graduate and dedicated advocate for the environment, racial equity and gender justice. She is also the youngest Presidential inaugural poet in U.S. history.
A special edition of her inaugural poem, “The Hill We Climb,” was published in March 2021, followed by her debut picture book Change Sings and poetry collection Call Us What We Carry, both rising to #1 on multiple bestsellers lists. Call Us What We Carry was also nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Spoken Word Poetry Album.
During the 2022 U.N. General Assembly, Amanda recited "An Ode We Owe," a call for action on global issues such as the climate crisis, child poverty and inequality. The poem emphasizes the importance of working collectively to drive impact:
Together, we won’t just be the generation
That tries but the generation that triumphs;
Let us see a legacy
Where tomorrow is not driven
By the human condition,
But by our human conviction.
And while hope alone can’t save us now,
With it we can brave the now...
"I couldn't be prouder to work alongside UNICEF and continue to support their mission to provide essential aid to children worldwide," Amanda says.
Advocacy, Action and Hope: 5 Questions With UNICEF Ambassador Amanda Gorman
An inside look at UNICEF's global supply operations
During a visit to the UNICEF Supply Division's central warehouse in Copenhagen in October 2025, Amanda learned about the intricacies of the organization's global operations, including how lifesaving items are procured and distributed to children in need, often within 48 to 72 hours.
She joined UNICEF staff members on the packing line, helping to prepare recreational kits for delivery. The kits include things like soccer balls and play parachutes and other items to support indoor and outdoor activities in child-friendly spaces — an effective form of support for children caught in a crisis.
Following her visit, Amanda shared her experience, posting content across her social media channels that helped to amplify UNICEF USA's end-of-year fundraising campaign.
In December 2025, Amanda joined UNICEF USA CEO and President Michael J. Nyenhuis for The New York Times DealBook Summit, an annual convening of hundreds of business leaders, innovators, newsmakers and trailblazers. They led a table lunchtime discussion entitled, “Global Aid: Doing More with Less.”
The Times coverage of the event included insights from many of the participants. Asked about her creative process, Amanda responded:
"To create a great poem, I begin by grounding myself in the moment, listening to the world and to the people whose stories need to be honored. Working with UNICEF, and witnessing the resilience of children and the teams who support them, anchors my work in both reality and possibility.
"Poetry becomes most powerful when it doesn’t just move us emotionally but moves us toward action, reminding us that even in implausible circumstances, a more equitable world is possible. My aim is to write in a way that helps us imagine, and work toward, a better future for every child."
Join Amanda to make sure all children, at every age, have the power to shape the world we want to live in. How to take action
