MARIA is a Poet/Performance Artist/ Community Arts Activist/Educator. Featured on Bronx Net, News 12, NBC Latino and TIEMPO WABC-TV. She is a two- time recipient of the International Latino Book Awards for Transitions of a Nuyorican Cinderella and The Gift of Loss.   Maria is the Founder & President of Latina 50 Plus™ a not for profit organization honoring Latina Pioneers.  She is also the Assistant Director of Global Diversity & Inclusion for Career Services at Fordham University.