Bio:

Pinqy Ring is a Puerto Rican woman MC, speaker, educator, author and activist hailing from Chicago. She first shook hands with the mic at the tender age of 15, when her love for learning Hip Hop songs turned into a curiosity to try it for herself. A tough childhood, troubled teens and a catastrophic car crash all worked to mold the artist into the powerful MC she is today. The accident, (which left Pinqy in a coma), served as the defining turning point in her life. She realized that sharing her story was not only important – it was paramount.

Pinqy has since captivated a multitude of audiences nationwide, and has also garnered a large international audience – performing in Cambodia, Belgium, Morocco, Cuba, Spain, Thailand and Vietnam. Pinqy proudly serves as a Hip Hop Cultural Ambassador for the United States, traveling overseas with the State Department to facilitate cultural diplomacy programming and conflict transformation through music. In 2019, Pinqy was one of twenty women selected by Vital Voices and TRESemmè for their inaugural Women’s Leadership Incubator in New York. She has won grant funding and awards from 3Arts, Breakout Foundation, Grammys MusicCares, the Illinois Arts Council, and is a three-time recipient of the City of Chicago’s DCASE grant. As of 2020, Pinqy sits on the Chicago Board of Women In Music as the Assistant Vice Chair of Events.

Outside of music, Pinqy is an avid philanthropist and educator. She has been featured on several panels, including A3C Hip Hop Festival in Atlanta, and has spoken at schools, nonprofits and Universities worldwide. She has also been tapping into her acting skills, writing and performing as Rosina – the lead character in Chicago Fringe Opera’s “The Rosina Project”, a Hip Hop iteration of the famed opera Barber of Seville. She was inaugurated as an author in 2020, penning her story around mental health and wellness for Today’s Inspired Young Latina, Volume II. An artist and activist on the rise, Pinqy Ring shines bright with the determination to share her story, while encouraging others to find their truth, live in it unapologetically, and tell it authentically.

Programs:

Herstory: Celebrating Women and the Female Narrative – It is no secret that women have been and often are overlooked in professional capacities. In every day interactions and encounters, women are having to deal with challenges based solely on their gender. Using the vehicle of Hip Hop, one of the musical genres that significantly lacks equal female representation, Pinqy shines a light on women and uses her story to share what success has looked like for her, (and many other women), despite adversity.

A Seat At the Table: Creative Entrepreneurship, Activism, Leadership and Education – Living in an age of bountiful knowledge, it is no surprise that young people are leaning more towards entrepreneurship. But with so much access to the information, it is important for young entrepreneurs to explore their craft and learn how to become leaders in their communities. As a rapper, educator, speaker and Cultural Ambassador, Pinqy shares her secrets to success for the creative entrepreneur. She engages students in discovering their path, finding their “Big Why”, honing leadership skills, and more.

What’s Your Story? – Pinqy Ring gets raw with her story and performance, providing an example for students on how to follow their own dreams and positively use their voices. From her experience with childhood sexual abuse, to a near-fatal car crash, to traveling the world and sharing her truth, Pinqy challenges listeners to see their challenges as steps to success. This interactive workshop aims to have participants begin to think about writing and sharing their own narratives to create change.

Yo Soy Boricua, Pa Que Tu Lo Sepas! – In a time where stereotypes are running rampant and cultural identities are being stifled, it is important to understand and celebrate Latinx culture. As a Chicago Puerto Rican, Pinqy’s point of pride has always been her Borinken heritage. This workshop will delve into that pride, but also teach about Latinx cultural awareness and sensitivity, and focus specifically on Pinqy’s work on the diaspora. With music in both English and Spanish, and activism very much rooted in Latinx communities, her platform has always challenged the status quo of inequality. This is an opportunity to talk, teach, and learn to create a bridge of understanding, compassion, and acceptance.

Other Topics that Can Be Covered:

Workshops can be tailored to address specific issues at your campus/organization. Topics can include, but are not limited to: Self-confidence, bullying, body image, surviving sexual abuse, Hip Hop, social justice, street violence, identity, expression through art, teamwork, creative writing, pursuing dreams, “Me, Too” movement, Spoken Word poetry, songwriting, feminism, activism, social justice, equality, higher education, choices, self-awareness and second chances.