How A Poem At The Inauguration Inspired Poet Uche Ogbuji And His Daughter Nkem

February 25, 2021
Uche Ogbuji NkemUche Ogbuji NkemCourtesy Uche Ogbuji
Poet Uche Ogbuji from Superior, Colo. and his 10-year-old daughter Nkem.

Amanda Gorman sealed her place as a household name when she delivered her poem “The Hill We Climb” just before Joe Biden and Kamala Harris were sworn in as President and Vice President last month. 

Her performance inspired Colorado poet Uche Ogbuji to write a poem of his own in response. "The Amanda Gorman Effect" explores his relationship with his 10-year-old daughter, Nkem, and the way poetry weaves together their relationship.

Ogbuji, who lives in Superior, Colorado, won the 2014 Colorado Book Award for his poetry collection, "Ndewo, Colorado." His new book of poems, "Ńchéfù Road," is set to publish this fall. He and his daughter spoke with Colorado Matters about "The Amanda Gorman Effect."