Grace Beniquez was born and raised in the South Bronx, New York. Her passion for writing led Grace to attend Bard College where she earned a BA in Literature. She went on to to earn a MA in Creative Writing at The City College of New York. She has worked over 25 years in New York City's public schools as an English teacher and Internship Coordinator. Since 2012, she has has been a guest poet and workshop facilitator at the Andover Bread Loaf Writing Workshop for Educators. Her work has appeared in the Bard Observer, TimBookTu, The Labyrinth, Bards Annual, The Performance Poets Association Literary Review, "Rhyme and Punishment" by Local Gems Press, The Nassau County Poet Laureate Society Review, 2020: The Year that Changed America, and Liminal Spaces: A Poetry and Visual Art Collaboration. Grace also enjoys creating art and designing graphic tee-shirts. She currently resides in Baltimore County where she continues to write and explore other creative endeavors.
phthalo blue is a collection of poetry, ranging from rhythmic riffs of Bronx life to indictments against racism and other social ills. It will take the reader on a ride that moves faster than an uptown express train, and still make unexpected stops that will catch you by surprise.