Amanda Gorman and Estée Lauder launches “Writing Change”, a $3 million-worth grant to advance literacy among girls and women.
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When Amanda Gorman signed on to a three-year partnership with a global beauty giant, she made sure she won’t only appear in campaigns to model their latest products, but she’ll also be inciting change with the platform given. As an activist, award-winning writer, and the youngest inaugural poet in U.S. history, Gorman has always stood for empowering the youth and to use the power of language to raise awareness of racism, oppression, and marginalization. And after turning down several deals in the past, she has chosen to work with Estée Lauder Companies and the Estée Lauder brand for their commitment towards advancing literacy, equity and access.
The 24-year-old poet now works with the brand on corporate level to lead their new initiative “Writing Change” where Estée Lauder will be contributing $3 million to invest in organizations to close the literacy gap. This will then promote systemic changes in the education system through three pillars: access, advocacy and artistic expression in youth.
Writing Change will first focus on American organizations with the potential to expand globally. The grant recipients are selected based on their ability to impact underserved youths, families and diverse communities.
Here are first-year grant recipients:
1. American Library Association: As the biggest library organization globally, Writing Change will help them partner with artists to develop programs that build literacy and digital skills for impoverished communities.
2. We Need Diverse Books: A non-profit organization of children’s book lovers that combat systemic racism by promoting representation. Writing Change will further help them in tailoring grants to support various minority-led creative funds and workshops.
3. Girls Write Now: A premier creative writing and mentoring organization for high school girls and gender-expansive youth. With the grant given, the organization aims to create a national presence for its core program to reach an additional 600 girls in the next year.
4. WriteGirl: A community-based creative writing and mentoring organization which they will also support in the organization’s literacy programs for under-served girls.
5. MIGIZI: A Native American non-profit organization that provides a strong circle of support that nurtures the educational, social, economic and cultural development of American Indian youth. Writing Change will support the organization’s First Person Production program that will equip Native American youth with 21st-century media skills
“I am honored to partner with The Estée Lauder Companies to activate change through literacy, and to represent a brand founded by such an inspiring and daring woman,” said Amanda Gorman in the press release. “Mrs. Estée Lauder shattered glass ceilings as a leader in business 75 years ago. Embracing this spirit, I am delighted that our partnership will help inspire women, girls, and all people around the world to do great things, to disrupt, to be confident, and to be future leaders in whatever path they take.”
To know more about the “Writing Change” initiative, visit elcompanies.com and esteelauder.com
