Amanda Eke: From Child Poet to Global Storytelling Visionary

Amanda Eke: Bridging Continents Through Poetry and Storytelling

In the quiet hum of a California suburb, Amanda Eke’s artistic journey began in an unassuming way—scribbling poems as a child who had yet to fully find her voice. Born to Nigerian immigrant parents and the youngest of her siblings, she faced early developmental delays that might have obscured her potential. But by the age of eight, she had not only found her words but crafted them into a published collection of poetry. Her ascent—from a child poet inspired by Maya Angelou to a globetrotting storyteller and media creator—has been a remarkable narrative that intertwines cultural preservation with unbounded creativity.

Eke’s immersion into the world of words began with the tug of two seemingly disparate influences: the rich oral traditions embedded in her Nigerian heritage and the cadenced, lyrical mastery of spoken word icons like Angelou. Poetry became more than a pastime; it transformed into a ritual, a grounding force, and, in her own words, a compulsion. “I write every day. It’s not negotiable,” she has said in interviews, describing writing as her way of processing life’s complexities and joys. This steadfast devotion to her craft laid a foundation for her future endeavors, which would span continents and mediums.

Today, Eke wears many creative hats, the most prominent of which may be as the host of “The Poet Speaks with Amanda Eke,” a podcast and television show where the power of verse takes center stage. Through this platform, she has assembled a tapestry of voices from across the globe, inviting poets of varying ages and backgrounds to share their work and insights. The show, in a sense, mirrors the very core of what poetry represents to her—an art form that transcends generational and linguistic boundaries, tapping into universal emotions. With episodes ranging from explorations of love and loss to societal protest and cultural pride, “The Poet Speaks” has garnered critical acclaim for both its depth and accessibility.

Parallel to her work in digital media, Eke has cultivated a reputation as an ambassador for oral traditions, often returning to the storytelling roots of her Nigerian ancestry. She helms The Poet Speaks Workshop, an initiative that introduces audiences to the intricate techniques of oral narration, with a particular focus on the storytelling styles of West Africa. Her workshop circuit has spanned multiple countries, from the bustling metropolises of the United States and the United Kingdom to the quieter, culturally rich enclaves of Nepal and Malta. In each location, the ethos remains the same: storytelling is both a cultural artifact and a living, breathing form of communication that must be nurtured and shared.

Eke’s most recent triumph underscores her commitment to preserving and reinventing the art of storytelling. At the 2025 Marrakech International Storytelling Festival, she was part of a collaborative effort that set a Guinness World Record for the Longest Storytelling Session. Clocking in at an astonishing 80.5 hours, the feat was hailed not just as a demonstration of endurance but as a vibrant celebration of oral traditions from around the world. Participants ranged from griots to modern-day bards, weaving an unbroken thread of narratives that resonated across time and geography. For Eke, the event reflected the profound power of collective creativity and its ability to connect humanity in unexpected ways.

What makes Eke’s trajectory especially compelling is not merely the breadth of her accomplishments but her ability to balance the ephemeral nature of art with the structural demands of enterprise. While her creative pursuits flourish, she has also embraced the less glamorous responsibilities that come with managing workshops, building an international media presence, and engaging with her audience. For her, the journey is far from one of unbridled spontaneity; it is anchored by a clear sense of purpose. “You have to know why you’re doing this,” she has advised to emerging artists, urging them to start their creative paths with intention rather than expectation.

Her advice holds weight in an era where many creators grapple with the tension between artistic integrity and financial sustainability. As digital platforms proliferate and demand for online content grows, Eke represents a model of how to navigate these shifts without compromising authenticity. She crafts her work not for fleeting virality but for resonance, curating spaces where poetry and storytelling thrive as deeply human acts.

Amanda Eke’s story also serves as a reminder of how identity can serve as an inexhaustible wellspring of creativity. As a Nigerian-American, her body of work often circles back to the themes of duality and belonging, exploring what it means to navigate cultures without losing one’s roots. For her, storytelling is a way of bridging those gaps, not just for herself but also for her audience, many of whom see their lives reflected in her poetry or hear echoes of their histories in the tales she shares.

From a girl finding solace in the power of words to an artist standing at the intersection of tradition and innovation, Amanda Eke’s journey underscores the enduring relevance of poetry and storytelling in a modern world. At a time when digital efficiency often overshadows human connection, she reminds us that the intimacy of a shared story or a spoken poem carries a timeless universality. Her work is both a celebration of where she has come from and a roadmap for where she—and indeed, the art she champions—might go next.