Episode 1: The Writing & Parenting Life of Topacio Marrero

We couldn’t think of a better person to kick off our first season of interviews than South Florida based Afro-Dominican freelance writer and poet Topacio Marrero.

Marrero, whose writing has been featured in places like Blavity, HuffPost, and Ain't I Latina, brings the gift of mindfulness, conscious, and authentic transformation into the lives of those who attend her workshops and/or speaking engagements. Born and raised in Washington Heights, her writing focuses on her journey both as a parent and an Afro-Latina, exploring not only culture and identity, but also how communities can recognize and achieve their full potential. We sat down to talk with Topacio ahead of the mid-October publication of her first book of poetry to about her childhood, Domincana-Haitian relations, and the challenges of raising a bilingual, tricultural daughter in a place like Miami. We also asked her to pay it forward and suggest someone who might not be well known, but who she thought listeners should check out.

It’s a conversation rich with insights and thoughts to continue to explore as our first season rolls on.