Elizabeth came to Bloomingdale in 1991, a 3s class at W 109th Street with teachers Traci Chen, Angie Ramos, and Martha Aponte. That year she was photographed for the cover of Scholastic Pre-K Today feeding the class guinea pig. Traci recalls her sweet nature and how well she fit into the class. In the 4s, her teachers were José Velilla and Janette Matos. José recalls that “Elizabeth was a leader in the class. During her pretend play with other children in the family area she would usually set the scene and give out roles to others while taking on her own role. She was always the first to answer questions during group times and enjoyed helping other children.”
That year, Elizabeth remembers her parents coming to school to do an activity in which the children were traced on large pieces of butcher paper. They were then asked to color in what they were wearing. Elizabeth said, ‘Except I was stubborn and I wanted to do the tracing, not be traced. My mom complied and even though my sketch was a bit wobbly, it turned out well. I wonder if this was a good first sign of how I’d later be more interested in depicting people and their stories.’
Depicting people and their stories has been a deep part of Elizabeth’s work as an author and a poet. She attended Manhattan School for Children for K-8, and then Beacon High School. She started performing her poetry at the Nuyorican Poets Café and other venues in New York City as a young teenager. She is a national Poetry Slam Champion and has coached the D.C. Youth Slam Team. Her undergraduate degree at George Washington University was a self-designed program in performing arts, English, and sociology. and she has a M.F.A. in creative writing from the University of Maryland.
Elizabeth is the author of numerous books, including The Poet X, With the Fire on High, Clap When You Land, and her latest, Anger is Only a Shadow, will be published on September 15, 2026. Her books have won many awards, and most importantly, have had a strong impact on young women coming up behind her. Aya Gallego had this to say, “I have spent my whole life being able to bask in the glow of the foundation that Liz set. We are not only both Bloomingdale alums, but also attended the same high school. I got to witness all of what she accomplished as a poet and writer long before it was time for me to select my own path. She has created, and continues to build a constellation of possibilities for all who are touched by the many facets of her work.”
Other things Liz remembers about Bloomingdale are the visits from Santa, and a brown bear that she still has, though it lost an eye in the wash. What she took from Bloomingdale is very special: a friend for life. Carid Santos graduated with Liz, and has remained a close part of her life. In the acknowledgements for Clap When You Land, Liz wrote, “Thanks to my bestie, Carid Santos, a million times over. She sat with this story through so many drafts and continuously gave an example for the sisterhood I wanted to forge here.”
Liz is the mother of two toddlers, and loves to read. We are very excited that her nephew will be joining us in the 3s in September.
The video and the links below share information about Liz and some aspects of her work:
