About
Dr. Angélica M. Yañez is an Indigenous Chicana poet, educator, teaching artist, and Associate Professor of Chicana/x Studies and Ethnic Studies. She earned her Ph.D. in Ethnic Studies from the University of California, San Diego. She is the author of the poetry collection My God Is Brown (Riot of Roses Publishing House, 2026), the chapbook Roots, founder of The Ancestral Teachings Institute®, and editor of United States History from a Chicano Perspective.
Her work bridges higher education, literary arts, and community-based learning, drawing on more than two decades of teaching, writing, public scholarship, and cultural leadership. Through poetry, Critical Ethnic Studies, and Indigenous perspectives, she explores history, identity, belonging, cultural memory, race, decolonization, power, and Women of Color feminisms. Her scholarly work includes her doctoral dissertation, an edited textbook, and academic publications.
Her poetry has appeared in Angel City Review, San Diego Poetry Annual, La Raíz Magazine, Xinachtli Journal, and other literary journals and anthologies. Her work has also been featured in anthologies published by FlowerSong Press, Sugar Cane Press, Curious Publishing, and other independent literary presses. She is a 2026 La Raíz Poetry Prize finalist, and her poem From Clay and Corn appears in La Raíz Magazine (2026). She is also the recipient of the Moon Prize from Writing in a Woman’s Voice (2024).
Beyond her literary and academic work, Dr. Yañez is a cultural educator whose practice brings together Indigenous knowledge, spirituality, traditional Aztec dance, youth mentorship, healing arts, and community-centered education. She has been invited to present her poetry and scholarship at The Cheech Marin Center for Chicano Art & Culture, The FRONT Arte & Cultura, Chicano Park Museum, Centro Cultural Tijuana (CECUT), and at colleges, universities, libraries, museums, arts organizations, nonprofits, and community organizations.
Whether working with students, readers, educators, or community members, Dr. Yañez believes learning is most meaningful when it invites curiosity, reflection, and genuine human connection. She is available for readings, workshops, keynote presentations, artist talks, panel discussions, consulting, and collaborative projects.
Angélica M. Yañez featured at The Cheech Marin Center for Chicano Art & Culture, 2025.Follow along on Instagram for behind-the-scenes moments, upcoming events, and glimpses into my work and everyday life.
