Marlena Wadley

A lover of all things artistic. Marlo is a recent graduate from UIC who is passionate about media and communications.

As a Chicago native, she comes from a melting pot of cultures, music, art, and people. With a degree in Communications and a concentration in Journalism, she has studied storytelling. She uses her experiences and environment to create content that is heartfelt, entertaining, and well-needed. With an eye for cultivation, creativity, and innovation, she plans to dominate the media industry.

The impact of poetry and the spoken word club

Spoken word gave me a voice. I have always been timid and passive as child who detached from their feelings. Spoken word allowed me to creatively articulate my feelings and to speak up for myself. It taught me the importance of humility and how to be a team player.

Top favorite poets or lyricists

Poets: Warsan Shire, Patricia Smith, and Sonia Sanchez

Lyricists: Frank Ocean, Lauryn Hill, and Solange

Connect with marlena IG

Writing Prompts

Write a poem using various names you’ve been called in life
Write a poem that begins with “Alternate names for ____”
Write about a time you were called something that wasn’t your name