Mary Grueso Romero
Poet and the first Afro-Colombian woman in the Colombian Academy of Language
Finding our voice begins with recognizing ourselves, understanding who we are, and having the courage to share the stories we believe matter
Finding our voice is not simply about learning how to express ourselves. It also involves recognizing our identity, understanding where we come from, and discovering which stories, ideas, and experiences we feel a responsibility to share.
Mary Grueso Romero is a poet, writer, oral storyteller, teacher, and cultural advocate from Colombia’s Pacific region. As the first Afro-Colombian woman to join the Colombian Academy of Language, she has devoted her career to celebrating Afro-Colombian identity, memory, and cultural heritage while bringing the voices and experiences of historically overlooked communities into new spaces.
Drawing on a life dedicated to education, literature, and oral tradition, Grueso reminds us that understanding who we are allows us to speak with greater authenticity and purpose. Her own work demonstrates that raising our voices can preserve memory, challenge exclusion, and help others recognize themselves in the stories they hear.
Finding our voice does not mean speaking louder than everyone else. It means identifying what we consider valuable, expressing it with conviction, and ensuring it reaches those who need to hear it. When we recognize the value of our own story, we also create space for other voices to be acknowledged.
💥 SparkLab Skill in Action: Self-Confidence — recognizing the value of our identity, trusting our own voice, and expressing the stories and ideas that matter to us with conviction.