E24 - Zona San Anto Podcast Feat. Candy Perez (The Love Poet)

Candelaria Nieves Perez has been writing poetry since the age of 9, using it to discover and reaffirm her identity. She is currently a student at Texas A&M University-San Antonio, pursuing her Bachelor’s degree in English Language Arts with a concentration in Literature. Candelaria’s poetry has been published in four local anthologies and in Texas A&M’s inaugural literary magazine, The Mosaic.Her passion for poetry and advocacy for the arts, especially in the often-overlooked Southside, inspired her to create an open mic event at Tandem every second Wednesday of the month from 6 to 9 p.m. This platform allows creatives to share their work freely. Candelaria believes poetry and art play vital roles in creating safe and inclusive communities, emphasizing the need for connection and community for healing and growth.Love is the fundamental basis of everything she does and is a central theme in her poetry. Candelaria aims to help people feel seen and valued through her efforts, ensuring their names and needs are recognized.Music by Jamie Seward