Biography
As the reigning 2023 World Poetry Slam Champion, I have carved a niche in the global literary landscape, beginning with my victories as the 2021 Colombian and 2018 Canadian Poetry Slam Champion. My journey as a poet has taken me across continents, where I've been invited to feature in literary events and conduct workshops, sharing the power of words in Canada, Colombia, Brazil, Belgium, Italy, Germany, Latvia, Estonia, Namibia, and Mexico.
I am the proud author of La Sangre Llama and its English version, The Blood Calls. My artistic talents extend beyond the written word into music as an artist and composer of the album SER. In the realm of film, I have directed award-winning short films Whiteface and Penumbra, and the full-length documentary Kleños.
A unique confluence of poetry, music, and gastronomy culminates in my project, The Umami Project, where I explore the synergies between diverse art forms to create a holistic sensory experience.
Micro-interview
English was not my first language, yet I had a deep passion for creative writing. Many of my teachers were impressed by how I was able to convey profound thoughts and emotions in a language that was not native to me. During my high school years, I was particularly captivated by the songs of Mercedes Sosa. Her music, rich with poetic expression and social critique, resonated with me deeply. I admired how she intertwined critical commentary with love and compassion in her work.
I began writing poetry during high school, although at the time, I didn't label it as such—I saw it primarily as a means of self-expression. It was in university that I discovered Spoken Word. With my theatre background, I initially viewed my poems as akin to monologues. However, it wasn't until I moved to Namibia after university that I fully immersed myself in the Spoken Word poetry scene. It was there, in Namibia, that I felt truly reborn as a poet.
Upon returning to Canada, participating in slam poetry and its competitions taught me the importance of consistency and discipline in my craft. Today, I am a world poetry champion, a testament to my environments, life experiences, unwavering discipline, and unyielding passion.
A poet's calling is to convey truth with utmost responsibility. In essence, every poet is a prophet. As I express in one of my cherished poems, I firmly believe that "poets can foresee the future, for we examine the past with profound detail." - Lady la Profeta
If I were to choose one poem to memorize from our anthology, it would undoubtedly be "Dear Diaspora Child." This piece deeply resonates with me. Although I was born in my motherland, leaving it at the tender age of nine meant missing out on much of my cultural heritage. There were aspects I didn't know or had to struggle to remember. This poem powerfully encapsulates the experiences of many immigrant children and the profound nostalgia we feel as we navigate daily life in a land that is not entirely familiar to our ancestors.
