Karen Diaz

Awarded 2nd place for Best Creative NonFiction/Memoir/Personal Essay

Faculty Mentor: Christen Madrazo

Karen is a dedicated writer and student at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, where she explores the intersections of identity, resilience, and social equity through creative nonfiction. Her writing often draws from personal experiences and observations of the world around her, blending vulnerability with a critical lens. She believes in the power of storytelling to build empathy, spark reflection, and inspire change.

As a bilingual writer, Karen also values language as a bridge between cultures and generations. Whether writing about her own upbringing, immigration stories, or moments of quiet resistance, she seeks to elevate the voices of those often unheard.

Outside of writing, Karen enjoys reading fiction, experimenting in the kitchen, crafting handmade gifts, and spending time with loved ones. She hopes to continue using her voice to create meaningful, honest, and compassionate work.

Check out Diaz’s piece Between Train Cars and Candy Bars here

Note: All interviews for this project were conducted in Spanish and translated to English by the author.