Image Up Advertising & Design

40 FOUR SEASONS BREEZE | MARCH 2021 Amanda S. C. Gorman is an American poet and activist. She became the Youth Poet Laureate of Los Angeles in 2014 at age 16. In 2015, she published a book of poetry entitled, "The One for Whom Food is Not Enough." When it reached number one on Amazon, she received recognition from Hillary Clinton, Michelle Obama, and Oprah Winfrey. In April 2017 at 19, she was named the first National Youth Poet Laureate of the United States. Amanda has written numerous articles, one of which was in The New York Times on Feb. 13, 2019 entitled "I'm Not Here to Answer Your Black History Month Questions." She also performed at the 2021 Superbowl. Gorman graduated Magna Cum Laude from Harvard University in 2020 with a B.A. in Sociology. She made history by becoming the youngest Inaugural Poet when she performed her poem "The Hill We Climb: An Inaugural Poem for the Country" at the 2021 Presidential Inauguration. Gorman was born in Los Angeles, CA in March 1998 and raised by her mother, Joan Wicks, a 6th-grade English teacher. Amanda started writing poems when she was a child, but found it terrifying to perform due to a speech impediment. Her mother was her inspiration as she watched how hard her mom worked to raise three kids and earn a master's and Doctorate degree in Education. Gorman pushed herself to overcome the fear of speaking in public by drawing confidence from great orators like Barack Obama and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Regarding writing her Inaugural poem, Amanda said, "…As a poet, I kept in mind the importance of writing a poem with honesty and not to turn a blind eye to the division and discourse that we see daily against the African American community. I really am proud of this poem and that it did not gloss over all that we've been challenged with." Her new book called Change Sings: A Children's Anthem will be released on Amazon, Sept. 21. It is about a young African American girl who leads a cast of characters on a musical journey, where they learn that they have the power to redefine themselves, change communities, and inspire the world. Our next Zoom meeting will be Monday, March 1. For information, please call Betty Ann James at (951) 572-5538 or email infotoaacc@ gmail.com. ~ Regina Thomas African American Cultural Club Italian American Club The COVID-19 pandemic is still affecting our lives and how we are able to meet. Currently clubs and groups are not able to meet in person and masks, social distancing and hand sanitizing are important to help us stay healthy and safe. We miss our friends and families so what can we do during these unusual times? Barbara Dipoma has suggested a couple of programs that will be interesting to us as members of our club. Bobby and Giada in Italy is on Discovery+ and they were offering a week free trial. The other is Dreaming of Italy on Amazon Prime Video. Both of these programs sample all the great food and wine as well as touring Italy and showing how to make cheese, wine, et cetera. Some of our club members have seen these programs, enjoyed them, and recommend them to other members or residents of Four Seasons. Thank you Barbara for the suggestion. As soon as we can meet in person, we will email everyone of the date, time, and location of the meeting or the Zoom information if we are meeting virtually. Thank you all for your patience during this unprecedented time in our lives. We miss you all and cannot wait until we can meet safely in person again. ~ Barbara Dipoma and Jerry Monahan, (951) 212- 8898, Jmbronxboy44@gmail.com Amanda wore designer clothes and jewelry gifted from Oprah Winfrey at the Inauguration Her new book is called Change Sings: A Children's Anthem Gorman graduated Magna Cum Laude from Harvard University in 2020 with a B.A. in Sociology

• Cover