Elizabeth Acevedo
College Spoken Word Artist & Author
Elizabeth Acevedo was born as the youngest child of Dominican immigrants. Raised in New York City, her poetry is infused with Dominican bolero and her beloved city’s tough grit. With over 12 years of performance experience, Acevedo has been a featured performer on BET and Mun2, and has delivered several TEDTalks. She has graced renowned…
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Full Bio
Elizabeth Acevedo was born as the youngest child of Dominican immigrants. Raised in New York City, her poetry is infused with Dominican bolero and her beloved city’s tough grit. With over 12 years of performance experience, Acevedo has been a featured performer on BET and Mun2, and has delivered several TEDTalks. She has graced renowned venues, such as the Madison Square Garden, the Kennedy Center of the Performing Arts, South Africa’s State Theatre, The Bozar in Brussels, and the National Library of Kosovo.
Her passion for poetry has manifested in an increasing body of popular poetry videos, most of which have gone viral and been picked up by PBS, Latina Magazine, Cosmopolitan Magazine, and Upworthy Magazine. She says, “I commit wholeheartedly to the mission that my mother’s stories will not die with her. I believe wholeheartedly telling my own story is an act of love and survival.” Many of her poems have been published, or are forthcoming in Puerto Del Sol, the Callaloo Journal, Poet Lore, Notre Dame Review, and others.
Acevedo is a National Slam Champion, Beltway Grand Slam Champion, a Cave Canem Fellow, Cantomundo Fellow, and participant of the Callaloo Writer’s Workshop. She is the author of two poetry collections: Beastgirl & Other Origin Myths and Medusa Reads La Negra’s Palm, winner of the 2016 Berkshire Prize. A novel, The Poet X is scheduled for release in early 2018.
Testimonials
Ernie was perfect for our Elders Conference at Little River Casino Resort in Manistee, Michigan. We will definitely be using PDA again!
LITTLE RIVER BAND OF OTTAWA INDIANS
Our speaker was great and the crowd enjoyed her! She was very engaging. Thank you again PDA for the great list of suggestions!
MEDTRONIC
Everything went great! and our speaker was wonderful! Thank you so much for all your help PDA! Looking forward to the next one.
UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI – KANSAS CITY
I hope that this message finds you well. We had a phenomenal time with Atsuko this past Thursday. We wanted to just let you know how amazing she was. All those that were in attendance thoroughly enjoyed her and had nothing but amazing things to say about her. Thank you for working with us to make sure this happened!
BAYLOR UNIVERSITY CAMPUS
We had a fantastic day with Inge! She was very engaging with all those that attended. Her personal stories about the holocaust were very special and we were moved that she was willing to share them with everyone. Thank you again, PDA for all your hard work and dedication to make this program such a success!
SALT LAKE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Dear PDA Group, Thank you so much for your hard work in scheduling our speaker! From the moment we reached out to you the first time, you worked with us on all details and logistics and kept us up-to-date on the progress. Thank you for all your hard work on making our event such a success! We couldn't have done it without you and your team!
SAP COMPANY
Thank you again, Dr. Kimbrough, for a great presentation, our attendees are still talking about it!
CAMPUS LABS
Dr. Henry Lee's presentation was entertaining, insightful and wise. I, and everyone at Pfizer, especially appreciate the remarks you directed about following your passion and preparing yourself to excel. Thank you, everyone, at PDA for helping to make this happen!
PFIZER
The event was successful! I received many messages expressing how awesome, outstanding and inspiring Ms. Webb-Christburg's speech was."
DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. MEMORIAL BREAKFAST, BOSTON, MLK SPEAKER
Everything went well. Atsuko was very easy to work with and the students enjoyed her performance! Thank you again for your recommendation and I hope to work with you again in the future!
CENTRAL MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
Dr. Novello left this morning after a very successful event on our campus! Thank you PDA Group for your help from the first phone to the last you were with us every step of the way.
GRAND VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY
Jordan Carlos was very very entertaining! A majority of students who answered the event survey indicated they really enjoyed Jordan and definitely will bring him back!
WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY
On behalf of myself and my organization Entertainment Unlimited the Campus Programming Board of Ferris State University, we thank you PDA and Dan for a successful event!! Dan was magnificent! Students really enjoyed the presentation. I know I did. Can't wait to bring in more programs with PDA Group.
FERRIS STATE UNIVERSITY
It was a great pleasure to work with PDA Group! The communication was always prompt, friendly and helpful. We loved the speakers and events we booked through Mr. Peter Walker (PDA Group).
WESTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
Thank you, Peter, for all your help, you'll be happy to know that the event went incredibly well! Aneesa Ferreira was by far one of the best speakers we've ever had!
FURMAN UNIVERSITY
Topics
Identity Out Loud
A writing workshop that uses language and memory to explore gender, race, culture and socio-economics. Participants will be asked to think critically about the different factors that have developed them as an individual and write in ways that uplift and celebrate all parts of the self. This workshop is generative.
What I Never Said
This workshop is a generative writing workshop that looks to explore the micro-agression performed against us based on our gender, sexuality, or race and utilizes poetry as a way to talk about the silences we’ve kept. Based in text by renown writers, this workshop is great to open communication and works under the premise that all wounds need witness in order to heal.
A Small Needful Fact
Based on Ross Gays’ poem of the same title, this is a generative workshop that takes on a broader-scope, social justice angle and encourages participants to consider causes they’re passionate about, and the necessity of writing about those causes.
Videos
Elizabeth Acevedo - "Spear" (NPS 2014)
I use my poetry to confront the violence against women - Elizabeth Acevedo - TEDxMidAtlanticSalon
News
Testimonials
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