What We Carry, What We Claim: Latina Voices, Living Memory, and the Art of Becoming. Yale Dwight

On September 19, 2026, "What We Carry, We Claim" hosted by Casa de Maria Publisher Dr. Vilma Luz Caban, brought together four Puerto Rican authors and poets for a meaningful literary gathering celebrating poetry, identity, heritage, and the power of storytelling. The event featured Dr. Melissa Coss-Aquino, Adriana Erin Rivera, and Elisabet Vasquez, alongside host Dr. Vilma Luz Caban. Together, these four literary voices shared their poetry and reflected on their individual journeys as writers, offering perspectives shaped by personal experiences, cultural roots, and the stories they carry. Through their words and reflections, the gathering created space to honor Puerto Rican identity, explore the connections between memory and belonging, and celebrate the courage it takes to claim one's voice through literature. "What We Carry, We Claim" served as a testament to the enduring power of poetry and the importance of preserving, sharing, and amplifying Puerto Rican stories across generations.