About Marjan Naderi
Marjan Naderi is an Afghan-American poet, performer, educator, and neuropsychology researcher who uses her voice and scholarship to bridge art, cultural memory, and trauma-informed care. A former D.C. Youth Poet Laureate and seven-time National Poetry Slam Master, she has performed at The White House, Madison Square Garden, The Library of Congress, The Kennedy Center, and Lincoln Center. Her contributions were commemorated in 2021 when she was monumentalized by The Strathmore Center for the Performing Arts.
Her work has been featured by The Washington Post, NPR, NBC News, and more. She has collaborated with global and national institutions such as Nike, the United Nations’ Girl Up Campaign, and the National Endowment for the Arts, channeling her poetry toward advocacy for refugee empowerment, mental health awareness, and gender justice.
Naderi’s debut chapbook, Bloodline, sold out shortly after release and is now included in curricula at institutions like the University of Virginia and the University of Wisconsin–Madison. As an educator and curriculum designer, she has led youth-centered workshops nationwide and founded the Washington International Academy Library—continuing to expand library access in underserved communities.
Currently, Naderi conducts neuropsychological research at UVA’s Contemplative Sciences Center, in partnership with UVA Hospital. Her work focuses on the clinical application of Dhikr, a form of Islamic contemplative practice, to support Afghan refugees living with PTSD—merging neuroscience, lived experience, and spiritual healing.
Through the convergence of creative expression and clinical inquiry, Marjan Naderi redefines what it means to heal across borders.
Strathmore Curators Statement
“At just 18 years old, Marjan Naderi has accrued accolades typically bestowed upon more seasoned artists. Named the 2020 DC Youth Poet Laureate, Naderi is a Muslim Afghan American author, performer, and educator.
Feeling outcast as a minority in America and yet somehow too American to be accepted by the Afghan community, Naderi’s poetry reconciles her family’s roots with that of her American upbringing. In so doing, she has forged a path for healing and understanding.
“I write because I know the narrative that I hold. I’m aware of how often the narrative of Afghan women, a Muslim woman is shoved to the back of the closet,” she says. By elevating the voices of Afghan American women, Naderi has proven herself a force of nature.
While the themes of her writing—cultural heritage and generational trauma—are heavy subjects, Naderi believes that poetry is a powerful medium for building immediate connections with audiences on the journey to compassion and acceptance.”
Muslim-American Teen Uses Slam Poetry to Elevate Community, NowThis News
“In a world where the teen isn't 'American' or 'Afghany' enough, this Muslim spoken word poet found solace with a pen and microphone. Meet Marjan Naderi, a Muslim American teenager creating her own space in the spoken word space and elevating the stories of her community.”
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