INTERVIEWS, NEWS, PODCASTS, & MORE
D.C. TRENDING
"KNOWING MARJAN NADERI"
“These pieces have become a living artifact demonstrating a journey of learning lineage as a first-generation, Afghan-Muslim American, hoping to belong on land that’s once rejected me,' she wrote.Naderi is proud of her heritage and of who she is - and it shows. Not just through her poetry, but also her expressions, anecdotes, and the way she embraces her culture in everything she does."
Jan 20, 2022
‘When I’m sleeping I see everything’: Taliban resurgence in Afghanistan makes its mark on Wisconsin
by Will Romano @ The Badger Herald
“There is this weighing burden and struggle that the country is falling apart and that our closest loved ones are belittled and enchanted by trauma,” Naderi said. Marjan Naderi is an Afghan-American poet who recently published the book “Bloodline” on her experiences growing up as a child of two Afghan refugees. She experienced the Taliban resurgence through some of her family who still live in Afghanistan.
Dec. 22, 2020
HOW A YOUNG POETRY CHAMPION FOUND HER VOICE — MARJAN NADERI
by Baktash Ali @ Stories of Transformation
"But for Marjan, the work was never about the accolades nor the attention; from the beginning, poetry was a tool which facilitated her own self-discovery, self-expression, and healing. She was able to channel her life’s trauma into her poetry, and in her performances, she magnifies the weight of her words through movement and body language."
Dec. 16, 2022
Persian Student Society celebrates tradition at Yalda Night
by Lauren Aguila @ The Daily Cardinal
"PSS also hosted well-known Washington D.C.-Area poet Marjan Naderi. As an undergraduate student at the University of Virginia, Naderi was invited to perform some of her pieces in poetry slam style. While most of her work is inspired by growing up as an Afghan-American girl alongside her mother and father’s influential impact on her life, Naderi chose to share some of her more spirited pieces for the Yalda Night celebration. 'Marjan’s performance brought tears to my eyes,' Besharat said. 'You could not only see, but you could feel her words as she put all her emotion into them. I was in awe the entire time and enjoyed Marjan’s passion.”
Jan. 22. 2020
A Young Poetry Champion in The Nation's @ 88.5FM, The Kojo Show
"For the last five years, Words, Beats and Life Inc. has held a competition to decide which young person will represent D.C. as the District’s Youth Poet Laureate. The title comes with a book deal, performance tour and workshops with famous poets.
For many poets, of all ages, the craft is much more than an art form. It’s a tool for educating their audiences about trauma or social woes and a means for personal healing.
Kojo sits down with Marjan Naderi, the 2020 D.C. Youth Poet Laureate, to learn about her process — and how she uses poetry to tell stories about her cultural identity."
Feb 16, 2021
DC’s 2020 youth poet laureate finds renewed hope in writing, community and a new presidency
by Kelly Mcdonnell @ The D.C. Line
“The poems we write will change nations, so long as we are given the platform,” Naderi said. “These youth poets are the future. We are writing history. We are writing and creating and moving a part of the force. We are the force itself. We come and we bless.”
Oct 13, 2022
Building bridges: Imam Fode Drame sheds light on spreading peace in the West through Islam by The Cavalier Daily @ The Univeristy of Virginia
Marjan Naderi, event coordinator and third-year College student, said it is important to educate others about the Islamic faith to promote mutual understanding and respect.
“Being able to come close to the most misunderstood religion in the world is critical for the development of a complete citizen,” Naderi said. “When people are able to have these opportunities to have their stereotypes and their preconceived notions challenged, not only makes the United States safer for Muslims, for Africans, but also opens a completely new branch of support.”
April 30, 2021
Folklife Today - Folklife and Poetry (S3E5)
@ The Library of Congress
"Guest Michelle Stefano of the American Folklife Center discusses “Rhyming the Archive,” an event in which members of the poetry slam team Split This Rock wrote poems inspired by materials in the archive and performed them at an event at the Library of Congress. The poet Marjan Naderi reads her work “The Lessons My Mother Taught Me While Preparing Dinner.”
Jan. 26, 2021
At The Intersection Of Poetry And Politics @ 88.5FM, The Kojo Show
"Last week’s inauguration was like no other: It took place two weeks after a deadly insurrection at the Capitol, and a week after the House of Representatives voted to impeach President Donald Trump a second time. Many were struck by the outfits of attendees. But the showstopper was Amanda Gorman, the first-ever National Youth Poet Laureate, who read her inaugural poem... Youth Poet Laureate Marjan Naderi to talk about poetry and language during tumultuous times. And we hear how the pandemic has shaped their writing.”
IN THE NEWS
Listen: Poet Marjan Naderi Responds To The Humanitarian Crisis In Afghanistan
"Afghanistan has been rocked by the departure of U.S. forces and the takeover by the Taliban in what’s quickly turned into a humanitarian crisis. In times of uncertainty and pain, poet Marjan Naderi says it can help to make space for humanity, something she does through her poetry."
The trees have eyes in Strathmore’s mesmerizing art installation ‘Monuments’
"The six artists and creators recognized in the Strathmore iteration of Monuments were selected by a panel, based on their impact in the local community." "The faces of poet Marjan Naderi, left, and visual artist Terron Cooper Sorrells are projected onto trees in Strathmore’s outdoor art installation “Monuments: Creative Forces.”
A young poetry champion in the nation's capital
"When we detach ourselves from our work it’s no longer an independent narrative. Our work stretches out to serve the greater community, which isn’t a bad thing."
"Congratulations on being a leader in training. Not many young people have the patience and ambition that you possess. You all inspire me to put my game face on when I challenge the world. Though you all are beams of light, the adult world has grumpy grown-ups and boring corporations. Here are my three secrets for surviving through the unknown world of adulthood."
"Others, such as Marjan Naderi, 18, spent their time distributing food, hand sanitizer, and water..."
Poems projected across Arlington during “Visual Verse” series
"Using the latest projection technology, Arlington County’s “Visual Verse” series brings a diverse array of poets literally into the public square by projecting their poems onto large, highly-visible edifices. Dr. Karapetkova, Professor of Literature & Languages at Marymount University and the County’s Poet Laureate, was featured in the series, along with U.S. Poet Laureate Joy Harjo, Virginia Poet Laureate Luisa A. Igloria and 2020 D.C. Youth Poet Laureate Marjan Naderi. The work of these four poets was brought to life by Robin Bell."
Theme: Chasing the future
"On Saturday, November 9th, at 2:30 PM, B-CC students, parents, and community members are invited to an official student-run, independently-organized TEDx event at Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School in Bethesda, Maryland."
Interviewing Rob Kenner about Nipsey Hussle
Rob Kenner is the author of The Marathon Don't Stop, The Life and times of Nipsey Hussle
This “beautiful tribute to a legendary artist” (Quincy Jones) is the first in-depth biography of Nipsey Hussle, the hip-hop mogul, artist, and activist whose transformative legacy inspired a generation with his motivational lyrics and visionary business savvy—before he was tragically shot down in the very neighborhood he was dedicated to building up. Rob Kenner will appear live to discuss his new book, THE MARATHON DON'T STOP, in conversation with members of the First Wave Cohort from the University of Wisconsin.