Nnamdi Chukwuocha facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Nnamdi Chukwuocha
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Chukwuocha in 2018
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| Member of the Delaware House of Representatives from the 1st district |
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| Assumed office November 7, 2018 |
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| Preceded by | Charles Potter Jr. |
| 17th Poet Laureate of Delaware | |
| Assumed office December 13, 2015 Serving with Al Mills
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| Governor | Jack Markell John Carney |
| Preceded by | JoAnn Balingit |
| Personal details | |
| Born | November 16, 1970 Wilmington, Delaware, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Residence | Wilmington, Delaware |
| Occupation | Poet, social worker |
| Website | Official website: http://www.twinpoets.org/ Campaign website |
| Military service | |
| Branch/service | United States Army |
Nnamdi O. Chukwuocha (born November 16, 1970) is an American politician and poet. He is a member of the Democratic Party. He serves in the Delaware House of Representatives, which is part of the state's government. He represents District 1. Nnamdi is also the current Poet Laureate of Delaware, sharing this special role with his twin brother, Al Mills.
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Early Life and Community Work
Nnamdi Chukwuocha was born on November 16, 1970, in Wilmington, Delaware. He was born just two minutes before his twin brother, Albert Mills. Their father, William "Hicks" Anderson, was a well-known community leader in Wilmington. The city even named its only community center after him. Nnamdi grew up in a family that cared a lot about their community.
From a young age, Nnamdi and his brother loved writing and poetry. They started writing when they were six years old. By age seven, they were already performing their poems for children at their grandmother's foster home. A sad event in their lives was when their younger brother passed away.
Nnamdi joined the United States Army and was stationed in Alaska. His brother, Al, also served in the Army. Al was in Iraq and Kuwait during the first Gulf War.
Nnamdi is a social worker. He helps people and communities. He works as a director at Interfaith Community Housing of Delaware. With his brother, he started a nonprofit group called Art for Life. This group uses art to help people and communities grow and improve their lives. Nnamdi has worked in the nonprofit field for over 30 years.
The Twin Poets' Creative Journey
Nnamdi Chukwuocha and his brother, Al Mills, are famous as the "Twin Poets." Both brothers served in the U.S. Army. They are also social workers from Wilmington, Delaware. They have been writing and performing poetry together since they were young. Their poems often talk about important issues like gun violence, poverty, and the justice system. Their daily work helping people in Wilmington inspires their poetry.
The brothers work together when they create their poems. They have a strong connection when they perform. They often speak at the same time or mix their voices. They are very good at adding to each other's "rhythmic" spoken poetry. Al Mills has said that Nnamdi often writes longer poems.
The Twin Poets have won many awards for their work. They even appeared on HBO's show, Def Poetry. A documentary film called Why I Write was made about them.
Serving as Delaware's Poets Laureate
On December 13, 2015, the Twin Poets were named the 17th Poets Laureate of Delaware. A poet laureate is like an ambassador for poetry in their state. They help promote poetry and its importance. Nnamdi and Al are the first co-laureates (two people sharing the role) in any U.S. state. They are also the first siblings to share this special position. During their swearing-in ceremony, they said the oath of office perfectly together.
Nnamdi's Political Career
In 2012, Nnamdi Chukwuocha was elected to the Wilmington City Council. The City Council helps make decisions for the city. In 2018, he became the president pro tempore of the council. This is a leadership role. Jack Markell, who was the governor at the time, also asked Nnamdi to join the Wilmington Education Improvement Commission. This group works to improve education in the city.
In 2018, Nnamdi was elected to the Delaware House of Representatives. He won against the person who held the seat before him, Charles Potter Jr.. Nnamdi represents District 1. This area includes parts of Wilmington, north of the Brandywine River.
Personal Life
Nnamdi Chukwuocha is a vegetarian. This means he does not eat meat.
