#GreaterSeattle: Writing poetry without barriers

Angel Gardner grew up without having a place to call home for very long. A native of the Central District, she was removed from her home at age of 5. Gardner moved from one foster home to another.

When she was 7-years-old, she discovered poetry. Gardner’s poems have been shaped by her life experiences. Last year, at age 19, Gardner was chosen by Seattle Arts and Lectures’ as its 2016 Youth Poet Laureate. The yearlong appointment by Seattle Arts and Lectures also granted her a book deal with Penmanship Books in New York City.

Gardner, 20, now lives with her baby son, Maverick, in an apartment in Seattle. She continues to write, exploring the themes of race and identity that she has known all her life.

About the #GreaterSeattle series: Political slogans about “making America great again” are stirring up racism and anti-immigrant sentiment around the country. But these young people are proof that our growing diversity is Seattle’s greatest strength.

This video was produced as part of a class taught by Seattle Times photographer Erika Schultz for the UW Journalism program.