Malaya Ulan, the Youth Poet Laureate of Philadelphia, explains how writing has helped her navigate growing up as a first-generation Filipino-American. She shares her belief that poetry can be a powerful tool for healing, both for oneself and for others. Malaya Ulan (Freedom Rain) is a sixteen-year-old Filipino-American Philadelphia based artivist. Ulan currently serves as the 2024-2025 Youth Poet Laureate of Philadelphia. Malaya Ulan is a multidimensional poet who merges her poetry with dance, film, and visual art. Ulan recently spoke at the United Nations Fourth Review Conference on the Program of Action on Small Arms and Light Weapons with IANSA. She has performed at the Barnes Foundation, Bronx Academy of Arts and Dance, Asian Arts Initiative, Painted Bride, Movement Research at Judson Dance Theatre, Festive Walk Philippines and more. She collaborates with her mother in a collective, AniMalayaWorks. Ulan was awarded the Scholastic Art and Writing gold key for the Philadelphia region in 2023 and first place in the open category for the Youth Film Awards at WHYY for her poetic film Anthem Erased. Her poetry accompanied by paintings has been exhibited at Da Vinci Art Alliance Exhibit and Imperfect Gallery. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
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