What does it mean to be an American? American poet Amanda Gorman says it’s “more than just remembering our history. It’s how we heal it. It’s how we recover. It’s how we hold ourselves accountable to being the best that we can be.” “Part of my American story is being someone who’s descended from slaves. And how that informs my own American-hood is it teaches me that freedom, equity, liberty, are not just things we can take for granted. They must be fought for, protected and cherished,” she adds. Gorman was 22 when she read her poem “The Hill We Climb” at Joe Biden’s 2020 inauguration. She is also the author of the children’s book, “Girls on the Rise,” celebrating women’s achievements and encouraging young girls to embrace their power to change the world.