[music] [music] He said if you scream there will be consequences. So I survived the only way I knew how in silence. [music] And in that moment, he took away the one thing that made me feel powerful, my voice. [music] At 23, I was sexually assaulted by someone I knew. While this is where my story begins, it's not where [music] it ends. And the voice you're hearing today, it doesn't just belong. It belongs [music] to every survivor who was forced to stay silent, [music] to stay alive. Thank you for sharing th ...

Almost three years ago, I made a choice. I chose not to give into the oppression and pressure forced on me by my own government. So instead, I chose to step into a new chapter of my life.One where I could be the writer and the warrior of my own story. I could fight for what I wanted. With that being said, let me give you a little bit of information about myself so you guys get to know me.I was 16 when for the very first time I came here in the United States, especially in this college. Stepping to the class ...

[music] Good morning ladies and gentlemen. Today I feel privileged to be standing in front of all of you to talk about the power of possibilities. My name is Arving Nesh from grade 4 and this is my journey from a shy to super. So, who was Arv? The shy kid. The one who always feels not enough in a world that seems to award the loud and the bold. Imagine being so shy that ordering your favorite ice cream feels like climbing up Mount Everest. Have you ever felt that way? Well, I have. And now, let me give you ...

I was 17 when I lost my sister. Now, usually when telling this story, I'd say something along the lines of, "We fought long and hard to get her the medication she needed, to get access to the drugs, to change the landscape of South African organ donation, to get her the lung transplant she needed to save her life. But that would be a lie because we didn't do those things. My mother did, my father did.But me, I was a child. 13 when Jenna was diagnosed, 15 when the campaign started, and 17 when she died. I wa ...

Artistic Expression & Empowerment - The arts, including dance, music, and performance, serve as a means of resistance, empowerment, and claiming space, particularly for those marginalized by societal norms [4][25][26] - Embodiment through dance and voice allows for articulation and expression when verbal communication is challenging [3][4] - Creative work connects individuals to community, cultural identity, ancestral memory, and a sense of belonging [14] - Art is not optional but essential for life and hope, especially within immigrant communities [20] Identity & Multiplicity - Embracing contradiction, complexity, and cultural identity as a source of strength is crucial, particularly for Latina artists navigating resistance and acceptance [15][16] - Individuals are meant to be multifaceted, defying societal pressures to fit into a single category or role [6][20][27] - Overcoming self-doubt and adversity through art leads to personal power and the ability to empower others [25][26] Career & Community - Building art with community and chosen family is more fulfilling than industry accolades [23] - Home is defined as an artistic family, shared creation, and community, rather than a physical place [24] - Balancing art, advocacy, and academia allows for standing tall and shattering limiting molds [24]