After reading through every entry to her “Miss Universe” Contest Ruby Veridiano-Ching has selected a winner! Hailing from Florida State University, Marisa Munnings won a copy of Ruby’s book, “Miss Universe” and a pair of the exclusive earrings designed by Ruby herself, and created by the ladies of Made Jewelry. Here’s what Ruby had to say about selecting Marisa as the winner:

It was such a difficult choice to make because we had so many beautiful and poignant contest entries, but this one hit me the most. I felt like it was represented really well for the teenage female psyche, and definitely aligned with the sentiments and ideas I expressed in Miss Universe- Miss Universe is a testament for the female heart, thought, emotion, and strength, and I think this piece embodied that.

Thank-you to all that entered the contest! Read Marisa Munnings winning poem, entitled “Baby Girl” after the jump! Read the full story

You’ve heard us go on and on about Ruby Veridiano Ching and now, if you’re in NY, you can see for yourself the dynamo that she, and her crew, ill-Literacy are.  They’re touring the U.S. right now and they’ll be in NYC at the Crash Mansion on Wednesday night.  This will be a great event to get some culture, have some fun and expand your mind.

Image by G Gallerie

I had the pleasure of meeting Ruby Veridiano Ching earlier this year and I was instantly impressed by her. She’s a co-founder, and only female member or spoken word collective ill-Literacy and she just published her first book of collected poems called Miss Universe. Her book is out of this world (pun intended) and you can read the review here and get the book here.  She also released an “intergalactic soundtrack” to go with the release of Miss Universe that you can listen to here.  We took some time to chat with Ruby about her writing and inspiration and this lady just does not stop!  Check out the full interview after the jump.

1. When did you start writing?

I started writing at 12, writing “nursery rhyme” type poems for my boy crushes- I remember writing one for the guy that played Rocky in “3 Ninjas.” Does anyone else remember that movie? Oh, and the Green Ranger too.
Then I took it a little more seriously during my senior year in high school, when I discovered Langston Hughes. I didn’t know until then the power of language, and the art of crafting words to look and sound beautiful; creating legacy in prose. Special thanks to my English teacher, Ms. Londahl! She’s my hero. She let me explore Langston Hughes in the back of the classroom while everyone else was doing their vocab exercises.

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As part of the release of her book, Miss Universe, Ruby Veridiano-Ching has put together a soundtrack for Miss Universe. The soundtrack includes songs that inspired her journey and healed her along the way as well a little commentary from Ruby through-out. From Kanye to Stevie Wonder the playlist really helps to create an even more vivid picture of Ruby’s world and that of Miss Universe. Join Imeem now and listen to the Intergalactic Soundtrack of one Miss Universe.

Stay posted for more info of Ruby’s book release party at Milk in SF on Oct. 26th! Peep the flyer after the jump!

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A few weeks back the iLL-Literacy crew hosted It’s Pop It’s Art, a show featuring “limited edition prints from It’s Pop It’s Art collaboration between Airside and Emi Music Publishing.” Pieces from US artists including Hit + Run, Retna, Mike Genovese, Ethos, Garrett Morin & Cody Hoyt were on display. DJ Shred One was on deck and Black Swan Wines kept the wine flowing all night. The posters, paintings and illustrations were all inspired by music lyrics and it was interesting to see the words brought to visual life. Many thanks to the iLL-Literacy crew. Check out more pics from the event after the jump and stay tuned for “Mirror, Mirrors” from the event.

Artwork by Retna
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