Marisa is a Junior majoring in Anthropology, passionate about exploring the intersections of culture, community, and storytelling. She frequents the vibrant spoken word scene in Washington, D.C, where her love for poetry thrives. Volunteering in her local community, she works with libraries and youth programs like College Mentors for Kids, helping to inspire curiosity and creativity in young minds. As the current Gillespie Fellow, Marisa is focused on documenting the student experience at this year’s Furious Flower IV through the creation of a student made scrapbook. Viewing poetry as an act of excavation that functions to uncover buried truths about identity and history, her fellowship allows her to delve deeper into this world. She works to put her Anthropological studies and her fellowship in conversation, finding both to be passions that complement and enhance each other. Additionally, she has recently accepted the role of managing the social media for the Furious Flower Poetry Center. She is honored to be apart of the celebration of Black literary excellence.