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Elizabeth Avecedo, Novelist, poet, and author of "Poet X" , was born and raised in New York City, the only daughter to Dominican immigrant parents. Her writings brings a unique viewpoint to the literaly world, coming from her background growing up in the urban New York City. Her special writing style is characterized by emotions, it captivates readers and draws them in to immerse themselves into her writing. She is also the author of a bunch of other titles such as Family Lore; With the Fire on High, was one of the many books named best book of the year by the New York Public Library. Acevedo has taken part in Writing workshops, and she is currently a National Poetry Slam Champion, she residdes in Washington,DC with her husband

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"In nearly every poem, there is at least one universal truth about adolescence, family, gender, race, religion, or sexuality that will have readers either nodding in grateful acknowledgment or blinking away tears." -Horn Book
"Poignant and real, beautiful and intense." -Kirkus Review, starred review
Poet, novelist, and National Poetry Slam Champion, Elizabeth Acevedo was born and raised in New York City, the only daughter of Dominican immigrants. Her poetry is infused with Dominican bolero and her beloved city's tough grit. She is the author of Clap When You Land (Quill Tree Books, 2o20); With the Fire On High (Harper, 2019); the New York Times best selling and award-winning novel, The Poet X (HarperCollins, 2018), winner of the 2018 National Book Award for Young Adult Fiction, the 2019 Michael L. Printz Award, and the Carnegie Medal; and the poetry chapbook Beastgirl & Other Origin Myths (YesYes Books, 2016), a collection of folkloric poems centered on the historical, mythological, gendered and geographic experiences of a first generation American woman. From the border in the Dominican Republic, to the bustling streets of New York City, Acevedo considers how some bodies must walk through the world as beastly beings. How these forgotten myths are both blessing and birthright.

Acevedo is the winner the Horn Book Prize for Fiction and Poetry for The Poet X. The Horn Book Magazine review of the novel calls Acevedo's debut verse novel "an arresting portrait of a young poet coming into her own." They write: "Fifteen-year-old Xiomara, whose name means "one who is ready for war," has been fighting her whole life.... In nearly every poem, there is at least one universal truth about adolescence, family, gender, race, religion, or sexuality that will have readers either nodding in grateful acknowledgment or blinking away tears. 'It almost feels like / the more I bruise the page / the quicker something inside me heals.'" In another review, Justina Ireland observes: "This book crackles with energy and snaps with authenticity and voice. Every poem in this stunningly addictive and deliciously rhythmic verse novel begs to be read aloud. Xiomara is a protagonist who readers will cheer for at every turn. As X might say, Acevedo's got bars. Don't pass this one by."

Acevedo's poems have been published or are forthcoming in Poetry, Puerto Del Sol, Callaloo, Poet Lore, The Notre Dame Review, and others. Acevedo is a Cave Canem Fellow, Cantomundo Fellow, and participant of the Callaloo Writer's Workshop. She's given TedTalks and has been a featured reader nationally and internationally, including appearance at renowned venues such as The Lincoln Center, Madison Square Garden, the Kennedy Center of the Performing Arts, South Africa's State Theatre, The Bozar in Brussels, the National Library of Kosovo and many others.

Acevedo holds a BA in Performing Arts from The George Washington University and an MFA in Creative Writing from the University of Maryland. She resides in Washington, DC with her husband.
Elizabeth Acevedo's Website

National Poetry Slam Champion Elizabeth Acevedo received the 2018 National Book Award for her New York Times best selling novel, The Poet X. She is also the winner of the Boston-Globe Hornbook Award Prize for Best Children's Fiction and the author of Clap When You Land, With the Fire On High, and the chapbook Beastgirl & Other Origin Myths. Acevedo holds a BA in Performing Arts from The George Washington University and an MFA in Creative Writing from the University of Maryland. She resides in Washington, DC with her husband.

CLAP WHEN YOU LAND
In a novel-in-verse that brims with grief and love, National Book Award-winning and New York Times-bestselling author Elizabeth Acevedo writes about the devastation of loss, the difficulty of forgiveness, and the bittersweet bonds that shape our lives. Camino Rios lives for the summers when her father visits her in the Dominican Republic. But this time, on the day when his plane is supposed to land, Camino arrives at the airport to see crowds of crying people. In New York City, Yahaira Rios is called to the principal's office, where her mother is waiting to tell her that her father, her hero, has died in a plane crash. Separated by distance-and Papi's secrets-the two girls are forced to face a new reality in which their father is dead and their lives are forever altered. And then, when it seems like they've lost everything of their father, they learn of each other.

WITH THE FIRE ON HIGH
Ever since she got pregnant freshman year, Emoni Santiago's life has been about making the tough decisions-doing what has to be done for her daughter and her abuela. The one place she can let all that go is in the kitchen, where she adds a little something magical to everything she cooks, turning her food into straight-up goodness. Even though she dreams of working as a chef after she graduates, Emoni knows that it's not worth her time to pursue the impossible. Yet despite the rules she thinks she has to play by, once Emoni starts cooking, her only choice is to let her talent break free.
THE POET X "Crackles with energy and snaps with authenticity and voice." -Justina Ireland
Xiomara Batista feels unheard and unable to hide in her Harlem neighborhood. Ever since her body grew into curves, she has learned to let her fists and her fierceness do the talking. But Xiomara has plenty she wants to say, and she pours all her frustration and passion onto the pages of a leather notebook, reciting the words to herself like prayers-especially after she catches feelings for a boy in her bio class named Aman, who her family can never know about. With Mami's determination to force her daughter to obey the laws of the church, Xiomara understands that her thoughts are best kept to herself. So when she is invited to join her school's slam poetry club, she doesn't know how she could ever attend without her mami finding out. But she still can't stop thinking about performing her poems. Because in the face of a world that may not want to hear her, Xiomara refuses to be silent.

BEASTGIRL & OTHER ORIGIN MYTHS
Poetry. Latino/Latina Studies. Women's Studies. Beastgirl & Other Origin Myths by Elizabeth Acevedo is the first title in YesYes Books' Blue Note Edition Chapbook Series. Beastgirl & Other Origin Myths is a collection of folkloric poems centered on the historical, mythological, gendered, and geographic experiences of a first generation American woman. From the border in the Dominican Republic, to the bustling streets of New York City, Acevedo considers how some bodies must walk through the world as beastly beings. How these forgotten myths be both blessing and birthright.

* Read "Ode to the Head Nod" - Poets.org

IN TRANSLATION

My mouth cannot write you a white flag.
It will never be a Bible verse.
My mouth cannot be shaped into the apology
you say both you and God deserve.

And you want to make it seem
it's my mouth's entire fault.
Because it was hungry,
and silent, but what about your mouth:

how your lips are staples
that pierce me quick and hard.

And the words I never say
are better left on my tongue
since they would only have slammed
against the closed door of your back.

Your silence furnishes a dark house.
But even at the risk of burning
the moth always seeks the light.

-excerpted from the novel in verse, THE POET X

IRON

And although I am a poet, I am not the bullet;
I will not heat-search the soft points.

I am not the coroner who will graze her hand
over naked knees. Who will swish her fingers

in the mouth. Who will flip the body over, her eye a hook
fishing for government-issued lead.

I am not the sidewalk, which is unsurprised
as another cheek scrapes harsh against it.

Although I too enjoy soft palms on me;
enjoy when he rests on my body with a hard breath;
I have clasped
this man inside me and released him again and again,
listening to him die thousands of little deaths.

What is a good metaphor for a woman who loves in a time like this?

I am no scalpel or high thread count sheet. Not a gavel, or hand-painted teacup.
I am neither nor romanced by the streetlamp nor candlelight;
my hands are not an iron, but look, they're hot, look
how I place them in love on his skin
and am still able to unwrinkle his spine.

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"In nearly every poem, there is at least one universal truth about adolescence, family, gender, race, religion, or sexuality that will have readers either nodding in grateful acknowledgment or blinking away tears." - Horn Book "Poignant and real, beautiful and intense."

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The time period of the book matches up with the present day set in Harlem, New Yowk City. offering readers a reflection of challenges that young people in our society has to face today growing up in an urban enviornment. Moreover, "Poet X" holds some significance to the world by putting some sort of focus on issuess of race and belonging. This novel reflects the main character in the story Xiomara Batista's expereinces as a young afro latina teenager dealing with issues in todays society, such as identity, religion, and expressing ones self through poetry. Harlem plays an importan role in the story shaping the characters in the novel and most of their interactions with society in New York City, their culture, and the community their surrounded by.

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As an Afro-Latina, I believe Acevedo's poems are very relateble and it presents exactly what is needed in todays society. I liked that she tied her own personal ethnic background into her poem, which is what mostly made it so relateable for me. I believe it was creative for her to include her culture because it draws in people that can relate to her work through their personal lives.

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Her spoken word , spoke to me and through me. The strength in her voice reflected her understanding of living and breathing like an Afro-Latina. We can see what it "means" to be an Afro-Latina on a simple google search but Spoken Word Poet Elizabeth Acevedo makes you understand what it feels like to be one.

The essence of her presence and the words that are released from her mouth flows elegantly as she embraces her culture and her community. Her message is inspiring and stimulating.

The power that she uses with her spoken word ,reaches out to an audience and connects them with the Afro-Latina community. It encourages me to take pride in being an Afro-Panamanian as she celebrates her skin and reveals her appreciation of her own heritage.

As an Afro-Latina , I believe Acevedo's spoken word is very relatable and it embodies exactly who we are. What made it so relative is that she connected it with her own cultural identity and experience. I think when artist connect their work back to their personal life it draws more people in and allows them to feel content. Acevedo took you on a personal expedition as she began to take us on a journey.

"Dance to the rhythm, Beat the drum of my skin. Afro descendant the rhythms within," Acevedo says. She acknowledges her African ancestry and appreciates the influence it has brought upon her cultural traditions.

"My first language I spoke was Spanish. Learned from lullabies whispered in my ear. My parents tongue was a gift which I quickly forgot after realizing my peers did not understand it. They did not understand me," she says.

Many don't know Afro-Latinas exist and understand who we are and if they do they don't acknowledge us enough. Her words symbolizes magnificence upon a community that is prominent and that reflects through her work.

For more Elizabeth Acevedo , Go to

Her Personal Website : http://www.acevedopoetry.com/

Her Facebook & Twitter Page : http://www.acevedopoetry.com
https://twitter.com/AcevedoWrites

-Signed Jenay

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Elizabeth Acevedo is a Afro-Latina spoken word poet who did a piece titled " Afro-Latinas." Her spoken word , spoke to me and through me. The strength in her voice reflected her understanding of living and breathing like an Afro-Latina. We can see what it "means" to be an Afro-Latina on a simple google search...

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Peralta, Is a known artist, known for exploring cultural identity, and he sometimes involves elements from his own culture most of his work he tells stories expressing issues in diversity, and identity. Like Xiomara’s poetry, Peraltas art is shown as a great example for empowering voices that are usually silenced. Both Peralta’s art and Xiomara’s represent Afro Latino experiences, highlighting how complex his identity can be due to his cultural background.

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EN RUTA A NUEVA YORK 18x24 POSTER Back in 2013, Peralta debuted his “RECONNECTED” series at the Renaissance Fine Arts Gallery in Harlem. The series featured iconic images morphed into screen printed art pieces on painted wood panels and canvases. The exhibit explored Peralta’s Dominican roots though a selection of imag

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Both Xiomara's jounery in "The Poet X" by Elixabeth and Ferrera's perosnal story highlight the struggles related to expressing one's identity in a world full of limiting stereotypes. As an Afro-Latina, Xiomara travels through the challenges of two hertitages, dealing with pressure from society on its own and her culture. Her journey is based on connecting her afro latina personality with her personal ambition and the ecpectations of her community. Ferrera discusses the ability of expressing her Latina identity in the Hollywood industry that usually overlooks or profile minorities. She speaks on the traits and rawness that come from her dual hertiages, instead of only speaking on one. Throughout the novel "The Poet X" Xiomara challenges the assumptions that were placed on her as a young afro latina. In her poetry, she gets to express herself freely without thinking about or adding on expectations from the society she was surrounded by. Ferrera speaks on her career in the Hollywood industry, where shes had issues in getting roles due to the fact that most of them were roles that streoetyped or profilied colored women. She made it a challenege for the industry by pushing away the limiting offer of roles. For Xiomara poetry became her way of self expression. Poetry gives her the ability to talk about her experiences and find her identity in a society that tries to quite down the voices of minorities. Xiomara does face a lot of pressure from her culture and family, which mess with her personal manifestations and sense of identity even though there was a lot of pressure. Ferrera makes it clear that her personality is a type of strength that she carries. By being able to express her true self and use her cultural experiences and platforms as a celebrity to spread awareness about her stories, shes able to give herslef, her community, and others the right confidence. Both Xiomara's story and Ferrera's experience present the importance of expressing one's personality, challenging society, finding confidence through being authentic. They both present how personal narratives of personlity can somehow help make a better understanding on including diversity.

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My identity is a superpower -- not an obstacle | America Ferrera | TED

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Dionis ortiz, a Dominican artist, is known for delving into themes of identity, culture and community through art. His art expresses themes of afro latino identity, a lot like Xiomara's experience in the book. His art seems to honor both African American and Dominican hertitage. Very similar to the main character in "Poet X", Xiomara tries to find her afro latina roots while also trying to find her identity. Her story speakes on what its like to have dual heritage and multiple identity crisises. I feel like Ortiz's work definetley expresses personal experiences, I feel his work really highlights the Harlem Xiomara explained in the novel. For instance, Harlem in the book is known as a vibrant, diverse neighborhood that shapes Xiomara's persoanlity. I believe this relfects how ortiz uses his landscapes to present the big influence community can take on identity. So far seeing Ortiz's art alongside the novel "PoetX" , both highlight and show the significance of culture, and what its like having to jugle two heritages in an urban city.

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Julia De Burgos is a renowned Puerto Rican poet, she wrote mostly about her identity as a woman, feminism, and social justice. Her poem "A Julia de Burgos" sort of mirrors the conlfict with expectations from society and one's persoanl identity, similar to Xiomara's battle with her family and communities expectations also, her own desires.

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Julia de Burgos

The people are saying that I am your enemy,
That in poetry I give you to the world.

They lie, Julia de Burgos. They lie, Julia de Burgos.
The voice that rises in my verses is not your voice: it is my voice;
For you are the clothing and I am the essence;
Between us lies the deepest abyss.

You are the bloodless doll of social lies
And I the virile spark of human truth;

You are the honey of courtly hypocrisy; not I–
I bare my heart in all my poems.

You, like your world, are selfish; not I–
I gamble everything to be what I am.

Your are only the serious lady. Senora. Dona Julia.
Not I. I am life. I am strength. I am woman.

You belong to your husband, your master. Not I:
I belong to nobody or to all, for to all, to all
I give myself in my pure feelings and thoughts.

You curl your hair and paint your face. Not I:
I am curled by the wind, painted by the sun.

You are the lady of the house, resigned, submissive,
Tied to the bigotry of men. Not I:
I am Rocinante, bolting free, wildly
Snuffling the horizons of the justice of God.

Spanish; trans. Grace Schulman

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Julia de Burgos The people are saying that I am your enemy, That in poetry I give you to the world. They lie, Julia de Burgos. They lie, Julia de Burgos. The voice that rises in my verses is not your voice: it is my voice; For you are the clothing and I am the essence; Between us lies the deepest abyss.

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Melania Luisa Marge’s “Afro-Latina” and Xiomara’s story in “The Poet X” both show themes of stereotypes from society, community, acceptance, and themes of diverse backgrounds, and gaining confidence, providing the audience’s with a better understanding on the challenges faced growing up to be an Afro Latina woman in todays society.