Lissa Frometa Paulino, Fenway High, Boston, 2019

Lissa was raised to ignore the parts of herself that were Black, instead acknowledging only her Dominican heritage. But that changed when the foster care system put her with a family that was proud of their roots, forcing her to confront her own internalized biases about race. In her college essay, “Trips,” Lissa takes listeners on a journey of identity through art, literature, and hairstyles.

After High School

Lissa went on to attend Massachusetts College of Art & Design.

Music by:

🎼

🎶

• Dr. Doctor, “Semilanceata,” Fungi Compilation, freemusicarchive.org
• VeryLoudly, “Snowed In (Day 3),” soundcloud.com (used by permission)
• Dee Yan Key, “Chaleur Estivale Beguine,” BAILES-DE-SALON, freemusicarchive.org
• Audiobinger, “New Hope,” Skid Row EP, freemusicarchive.org