Amuchechukwu Nwafor (Amuche The Poet) is a DC-based poet, author, teaching artist, librarian, curator, and host. She is a first-generation born Black American whose poetry touches on the diaspora, sexual advocacy, mental health, and the female experience. Amuche considers her poems to be still-life paintings of intimate experiences, emotions, and observations. 

She is currently the 2026-2027 Sterling A. Brown Teaching Artist-in-Residence Fellow. Amuche co-hosts and curates “Poetry Gallery,” a monthly poetry open mic at Station 3510 in Mt. Rainier, MD, that promotes visual art, intimacy, and connectivity. She is the author of her debut poetry collection, Salt Water Roots (Day Eight, 2024). Through her writing, she aspires to heal, grow, and inspire people from all different walks of life.

To Be Young, Gifted, and Black

By Amuche the Poet

I am

Young, gifted, and Black.

That much I know is a fact.

The heart of me

You cannot attack.

Even when,

I think I’ve lost it.

My words remain intact.

The gift,

My ancestors have given me,

I could never give back.

To be young, gifted, and Black,

Means

The essence of me

Is always under attack.

But if I allow them

To employ their measures

And succumb 

To the pressure

Then I say goodbye

To my mind

And all of its eclectic treasures. 

See Amuche on Monday, July 27th at Sound OFF Open Mic