Olivia Gatwood

Originally from Albuquerque, New Mexico, Olivia Gatwood has received national recognition for her poetry, writing workshops, and work as a Title IX Compliant educator in sexual assault prevention and recovery. As a finalist at Brave New Voices, Women of the World, and the National Poetry Slam, Olivia is an active member of the slam poetry community and has been featured on HBO, Verses & Flow, Button Poetry and Huffington Post, among others. Olivia has travelled nationally to perform and teach workshops on gender equality, sexuality, and social justice at over 70 colleges and 30 high schools nationwide. Her Amazon best-selling collection, New American Best Friend, reflects her experiences growing up in both New Mexico and Trinidad, navigating girlhood, puberty, relationships, and period underwear. 

Olivia is a former member and co-founder of SPEAK LIKE A GIRL and was an artist-in-residence at the Chatham School for girls, alongside celebrated leaders such as Venus Williams and Gloria Steinem. Online, her videos, including “Manic Pixie Dream Girl” and “Ode to My Bitch Face” have gained over 3 million views collectively. 

Olivia believes in girl-power. She currently lives in Boston.

The Mexico City-born, LA-based R&B songwriter Joaquina Mertz supports with her distinctive blend of classic jazz vibes, neo-soul power, bits of traditional Mexican folk music, and contemporary sounds. 

Boston-based, Mexican-American slam poet Angelica Maria Aguilera opens the evening.