Hair is a huge part of Dominican culture; it is intermingled with unrealistic and suffocating beauty standards. This is a rebellion against standards which categorize textured hair as “pelo malo” (bad hair).
Story
Keila Cruz
(She/Her) Mentee
Keila Cruz is a writer and psychology enthusiast working toward becoming an art therapist. Her journey with literature dates back to her public education years, where a fervent passion for storytelling first took root as found joy in writing short stories. As Keila matured, she began to realize the transformative power of creative expression through poetry and aims to share the healing power of writing with the world. Keila's poetry and writing reflects on love, family, and cultural identity as a Dominican immigrant. Keila is most excited to grow as a writer as she works with her GWN mentor.
Favorite Authors & Artists
Julia Alvarez, Octavia E. Butler, Audre Lorde