UNICEF USA has appointed celebrated Presidential Inaugural Poet and activist Amanda Gorman as its newest Ambassador, strengthening the organization’s global advocacy just ahead of Giving Tuesday and the 20th annual UNICEF Gala.
Gorman—whose words captivated the world during President Joe Biden’s 2021 inauguration—has been working with UNICEF USA since 2021. Her new role formalizes years of advocacy focused on health, education, and protection for children, particularly those caught in conflict or emergency settings.
At the gala, Gorman is set to debut an original poem reflecting on how the world can work toward a safer, more equitable future for all children.
A Voice That Moves People—and Policymakers
“Working with UNICEF has shown me that when we choose to uplift children, we are choosing to uplift our shared future,” Gorman said. “I couldn’t be prouder to work alongside UNICEF and continue to support their mission to provide essential aid to children worldwide.”
Her track record backs that promise. During the 2022 United Nations General Assembly, Gorman delivered “An Ode We Owe,” a call to act on climate change, poverty, and inequality—issues that directly influence children’s survival and development.
And in October, she toured UNICEF’s Supply Division in Copenhagen—the largest humanitarian warehouse in the world—where she helped pack supplies for children living in conflict zones. UNICEF responded to more than 400 emergencies in 2024 alone, from natural disasters to active conflicts.
UNICEF Welcomes a “Singular Talent”
UNICEF USA President and CEO Michael J. Nyenhuis praised Gorman for her ability to communicate difficult realities in ways that inspire people to act.
“From climate disasters like Hurricane Melissa to the worsening humanitarian crisis in Sudan, there has never been a more critical time to advocate for the rights of children,” Nyenhuis said. “Amanda has a singular talent for communicating the weight of a moment. We are thrilled to welcome her.”
A Global Platform, Now With Greater Purpose
Gorman, a Harvard graduate and the youngest inaugural poet in U.S. history, has long used her platform to push for racial equity, gender justice, and environmental protection. Her bestselling works—including The Hill We Climb, Change Sings, and Call Us What We Carry—have cemented her as one of the most influential young voices of her generation.
As a UNICEF Ambassador, she joins a roster of global advocates including Selena Gomez, Sofia Carson, Laurie Hernandez, Justin H. Min, and P!NK.
Why This Matters Globally—including to Ghana
UNICEF’s work remains critical in places like Sudan, Gaza, Haiti, and across West Africa, where millions of children face displacement, malnutrition, disrupted schooling, and conflict. Gorman’s appointment brings renewed attention to crises that often fall out of the global spotlight.
Her presence also underscores a larger truth: storytelling still moves the world. And with the right storyteller, it can move policymakers, philanthropists, and communities into action.
Gorman’s challenge—now made official—is to push the world to care not just in moments of crisis, but every day.
