Immigrants in the United States are tokenized by those in power to either be success stories or undesirable, but not as humans with a full set of human rights and protections. Established over decades, this reality colors how those in power have crafted policy and established legal precedent. This also establishes the reality that immigrants, especially the undocumented, have to fight for justice in the United States. Oliver Telusma explores these topics in his talk on immigration, history, and more. Oliver Telusma is a spoken word poet, public speaker and Juris Doctorate Candidate at the Florida A&M University College of Law in Orlando, Florida. He earned his B.A. in Political Science from the University of Florida in 2018, where he worked as a research coordinator for the Samuel Proctor Oral History Program for two years. His writing and work focus on critiquing legal and political systems of power that target marginalized communities, life as a member of the Black diaspora, Black male vulnerability, allyship from other marginalized identities and the occasional rap freestyle. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

On September 14th, I had the opportunity to serve as the keynote speaker and performer at UF Hispanic Heritage Month Opening Ceremony. This is the largest student run HHM celebration in the country! Here's the full speech and performance. Follow me on social media: www.olivertelusma.com Twitter: @olivertelusma IG: @olivertelusma Twitter: @FiresideRadio18 IG: @firesideradio Follow Solstice Media: IG: @solsticemedia_ IG: @samuellaguerre_ Twitter: @ThatGuySol4

On July 24th, 2018, I had the opportunity to serve as a featured speaker at the 2018 "For All Y'all Social Justice Summit." Put together by educators, For All Y'all bought together educators, community leaders and students to share their leadership in activism in the American South. I had the opportunity to speak on Fannie Lou Hamer's model for fundamental change and applying it to our schools, the importance of fully formerly incarcerated felons being involved in activism and Florida's unique opportunity to be a nationwide leader in creating effective systems that work for the marginalized. Connect with me on social media! www.olivertelusma.com Twitter: @olivertelusma IG: @olivertelusma

On October 21st, 2017, I had the opportunity to address the Florida Federation of Alpha Chapters during our 2017 District Convention in Orlando, Florida. The topic, "Where Do We Go From Here: From Chaos to Community, Fifty Years After the Death of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr." challenged me to connect the lessons from our past and connect them to some of our present challenges. Connect with me on social media! www.olivertelusma.com Twitter: @mrKentClark IG: @_oliver_telusma_

Back in January, I was asked to be the sophomore speaker and had the opportunity to deliver my speech "Be Your Future" at "Launch into IA," a one-day meeting where Innovation Academy students at the University of Florida are oriented on how they can best contribute to the collective success of their community. At this convocation I had the opportunity to speak alongside Dr. Kent Fuchs, President of the University of Florida, Kai Kight, engineer and renowned violinist, Nicholas Carre, then Student-Body Treasurer, Dr. Jeff City, Director of the Innovation Academy and Geeta Iyer, Chancellor of the Student Conduct Committee. It is by no means perfect, and I ask you to forgive my missteps and miscues. However, I hope you enjoy and learn as much watching it as I did writing and delivering it. -Oliver Let's Connect! Social Media IG: @_oliver_telusma_ Twitter: @mrKentClark Stop by my website! otelusma96.wix.com/progress #nextup #makeprogress