Written by Maria Isabel Dicent I arrived in the city with an uncertain soul, my home was a place I had never known, a land of steps and memories untold, where words were a distant echo, and English, my great foe. I lived in other Latin lands, but New York was just a dream in my hands, my Latino accent, my broken strands, faded among unfamiliar bands. But something inside me shouted with might: “Here you are, and here you...
Elena Olazabal hails from Peru where she worked as a teacher. Now residing in Queens, she is an avid reader with a penchant for novels and the poetry of Gustavo Adolfo Becker. Elena also pens heartfelt poetry, often drawing inspiration from the love-filled landscape of her soul. Central to her world are her cherished pets: her dog, Kenyi, and her cats, Trueno (meaning “Thunder”) and Luna (meaning “Moon”). They illuminate her life and inspire her writings. She expressed her gratitude...
Born in Brazil in 1982, during the tentative transition from military dictatorship to democracy, Clarissa is the youngest of four sisters. She grew up surrounded by transformative art, spirituality, and political activism, influences that shaped her into the graphic designer and illustrator she is today. For nearly a decade, Clarissa has called New York home, though she frequently returns to her childhood house in a quaint town in Rio de Janeiro. There, she continues her quest for ripe mangoes and...
In partnership with several organizations serving immigrants and refugees, NWNY proudly participated in the 5th Annual World Refugee Day Music Festival, hosted by the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music. The NWNY Community was well-represented for both the virtual and in-person iterations of this event, celebrating refugees and their resilience through music, dance, and art. Virtually, Potri Ranka Manis shared her passion for promoting indigenous rights and traditions through a poignant Maranao dance performance. Sharing a table with Ruth’s Refuge, NWNY staff...