Lauren Zuniga

Lauren Zuniga is a highly acclaimed poet, activist, and teaching artist. As a respected writer, she has authored two poetry collections that have achieved critical success. Her second publication, The Smell of Good Mud, was even selected as a finalist for the Oklahoma Book Award. Lauren has performed in over 200 schools and universities throughout her career, as well as at unconventional venues such as prisons, shelters, churches, train stations, and even on a city bus. Her work has also been featured on various platforms including Upworthy, MoveOn.Org, BoingBoing, Autostraddle, and Everyday Feminism. Lauren has been a three-time national slam finalist, making her one of the top-ranked female slam poets in the world. Beyond that, she has served as Activist-In-Residence at the University of Oklahoma and was even voted as the Best Local Author by the Oklahoma Gazette in 2012. Currently, Lauren is working as the Director of Literary Arts at SixTwelve Community Center and lives happily with her partner, two kids, and dog in a house named Persimmon.