Biography
Poetry Reading at the National Black Theatre, Harlem NY in 2015
MISSON:
Karina's mission as a writer is to write and share stories about life experiences, human perspective, and the human condition. As a writing coach, and consultant she fosters writing development, suggest solutions for "writers block", helps create routines to complete writing tasks, goals, and helps writers build confidence with their writing.
Feature at the 9th Annual Poetry Festival in Govenors' Island, NY in 2018
BIO:
Karina Guardiola-Lopez, MSED, is a Honduran American Jew from NY/NJ. She is a poet, writing coach, educator, and author of Textual Time Capsules (2021), Jewtina Journals (2016), and co-author of Live Big Girl (2017). Her works have appeared in New Brunswick Library (2023), Hive Avenue Journal (2022), LaLiberta Online (2021), For Women who Roar, (2020), Great Weather for Media (2020), Indolent Books (2020), and many others. She has featured at The NYC Poetry Festival at Governor's Island, The National Black Theatre, Nuyorican Poets Cafe, Bowery Poetry Club, The Bronx Museum, just to name a few. She has created a collection of poetic stickers, magnets, and a card deck for writers to inspire and motivate writers to write their story. For more information visit www.kglopez.com
Karina has also developed multiple forms of expressive outlets and platforms including writing workshops, open mics, poetry readings, and plays. She has served a poetry judge for Urban Word NYC, The Children's Aid Society, and Hostos Community College. She is currently the social media manager and tech support for the National Association for Poetry Therapy (NAPT).
Performance at the National Black Theatre, Harlem New York 2016
THE PEN, PAD, and POET SERIES:
Karina is the founder of The Pen, Pad, and Poet series which includes publishing, poetry workshops, and performance for teens. The series has evolved into a resource page on Facebook called Pens, Pads and Poets. During the pandemic, Karina created virtual writing workshops that included for adults. Click here for more information. WORKSHOPS
LIVE BIG GIRL: The Play
Karina served as a writer, actor, and author of the play and book, Live Big Girl. Live Big Girl was a poetic play based on living in a body that isn't always celebrated. The show sold out at the National Black Theater, BAAD Theater, and The Tank Theaters. Readings were also conducted at various venues including Capicu Culture, York College, and at the NYC Poetry Festival at Governor's Island. For more info visit lhttps://livebiggirl.wixsite.com/livebiggirl
Book signing in Queens, New York
Age 2 in Brooklyn, New York City
Live Big Girl (Sold Out Show) at the National Black Theater, Harlem, New York featuring Vanessa Chica, Rebeca Lois Lucret and directed by Peggy Robles- Alvarado in 2017
CURRENT OCCUPATION:
Karina is a former elementary, middle, and high school educator with over 18 years of experience. She now works with college students for the City University of New York (CUNY) as a Student Success Coach. Karina not only serves as a Success Coach but is also a social media manager and college assistant supervisor within her department. She has obtained her MSED from Baruch College in Higher Education Administration.
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Facilitating the Live Big Girl Workshop at ID Studio, Bronx New York in 2018
ADDITIONAL FACTS:
Karina recalls a time when her high school guidance counselor told she was not "college material". The counselor suggested that she should drop out of school and get a GED. While Karina was disheartened by her counselor's words, she used the negativity as fuel for motivation. As a result, Karina now has three college degrees and is an educator who is passionate about education and professional development. Her goal is to motivate and encourage students to finish their college degrees at their own pace.
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Karina has taught many of her students to use their fists to move their pens and not to pick a fight. This motto has inspired her quote, "Purge on the Page, Poetry Heals." This quote is now part of her poetic sticker and magnet collection. See here for more info
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Karina's favorite quote is "Nothing is impossible, the word says I'm possible" by Audrey Hepburn. It is a quote often used in her workshops and speeches.
FUN FACTS:
Favorite things to do: Writing, reading, animal encounters, traveling the world, and listening to good music.
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At what age did you begin writing? I was 9 years old and in the 4th grade. I took my short story homework assignments a bit too serious. In the 6th grade, I created a book cover out of a cereal box and my teacher had it displaced.
When and where did you take first poetry workshop?
At City College in 2003 while pursuing my undergraduate degree. I took various workshops and courses including Jazz poetry, creative writing, writing short stories, advance poetry, writing for children and introduction to publishing.
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Share something people may not know about you: Before poetry, I wrote hiphop lyrics. I used to rap and was part of two different groups between 2001- 2009 as a writer, performer, and producer.
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