Who is Emilly Prado?
Emilly Prado is an award-winning writer, multidisciplinary artist, and speaker whose work explores identity, community, and the power of storytelling across mediums. With ancestral roots in the San Francisco Bay Area and Michoacán, Mexico, she now calls Portland, Oregon home.
Emilly Prado is the author of Funeral for Flaca (Future Tense Books, 2021), a Pacific Northwest Book Award winner praised by Ms. Magazine as “utterly vulnerable, bold, and unique,” and Examining Assimilation (Enslow, 2019), a youth nonfiction book on the intersections of culture, identity, and U.S. history. Her writing and photography have appeared in NPR, Marie Claire, Bitch Media, Eater, and beyond.
As an educator and cultural organizer, Emilly has built spaces that center joy, resistance, and creativity, including co-founding the Latiné DJ collective Noche Libre and the BIPOC arts nonprofit Portland in Color. She teaches creative writing at the Pacific Northwest College of Art and offers workshops, keynotes, and custom talks on writing, creative career development, healing through storytelling, and more.
Rooted in the belief that creative expression is essential for liberation, Emilly’s work spans the page, the stage, and the dance floor—all in service of community and collective imagination.
Learn more about her work below, or jump ahead.
Author | DJ | Speaker | Workshop Facilitator | Consultant | In the News
Explore her work
Multi-faceted creative, one collaborative approach
Storytelling is a vital tool for belonging.
Writing has long been my way to make sense of the world and carve a place within it. Through memoir, essays, journalism, zines, and cultural criticism, I seek to illuminate ever-intertwined personal and collective histories. My debut essay collection, Funeral for Flaca, won a 2022 Pacific Northwest Book Award! Currently revising a memoir and writing a novel, I am seeking literary representation.
DJ
I spin global sounds that keep dance floors packed and the event vibes just right as DJ Mami Miami! With private event, club, and radio DJ experience, my sets are highly curated whether a community gathering, wedding, or cultural festival. I also co-founded Noche Libre, Portland’s beloved Latiné DJ collective.
Speaker and facilitator
Storytelling sparks change.
I offer engaging keynotes, hands-on workshops for all ages, and custom talks on topics like memoir writing, career-building for creatives, first-gen experiences, and healing through art.
Consultant
I collaborate with individuals and organizations to achieve values-driven goals. With a holistic, community-centered approach, I provide customized consulting services that have helped my clients elevate their creative practices, host stellar community events, and even change careers. Whatever your vision, we can design a path forward.
What people are saying
Featured In
My work has been recognized by outlets like NPR, Elle, Marie Claire, and Oregon Public Broadcasting. I’ve also been honored with fellowships and awards across writing, education, and community leadership.
Ready to Connect?
Want to share your collaboration dreams with me? Ready to bring a dynamic speaker, DJ, or workshop to your community? I’d love to chat! Reach out with your ideas or questions — I aim to respond within 48 hours. Let’s make something amazing happen together!
