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Margaret O. Daramola has a way with words. Just ask Gov. Glenn Youngkin.
Youngkin first heard the Hampton University student’s command of the language in March, and now his office has named her Virginia’s next Poet Laureate.
Daramola, who will graduate from Hampton this semester with a Bachelor of Arts in English and a minor in history, is a writer, poet — and slam poetry performer — as well as a public speaker focusing on human rights and the experiences of the African diaspora.
Raised in Switzerland, Daramola has been writing since she was a child. In 2021, she published her first book, “A Pathway Through Survival,” in which she grapples with despair and finds her way to spiritual and emotional healing.
Youngkin said in a statement Friday he heard Daramola perform at the investiture of Hampton University President Darrell Williams in March and was “greatly impressed by her presence and passion.”
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As Virginia’s Poet Laureate, she will perform at official events and promote the art of poetry in the commonwealth for the next two years. The outgoing laureate is Luisa Igloria.
Daramola has been a dean’s list honoree every semester. She’s vice president of the African Student Association and a member of Hampton University’s Pre-Law Society. Her awards include the Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship and Student Poet initiative award.
She also played for Hampton University’s women’s volleyball team in 2021, according to the university’s website, and won two Swiss championships prior to coming to Hampton Roads.
“Virginians will be honored to have such a talented poet represent us as Laureate,” Youngkin said in a statement. “I have always believed that the promise of Virginia’s future is represented in young adults like Margaret. Suzanne and I look forward to Margaret blessing Virginians across the Commonwealth with her incredible gift.”
Gavin Stone, 757-712-4806, gavin.stone@virginiamedia.com