“Orange Is the New Black” Actress Jackie Cruz to Visit Truman

The SAB spring speaker will be Jackie Cruz, best known as Flaca on Netflix’s “Orange Is the New Black.”

Cruz offers lessons on resilience, determination and using life’s challenges as opportunities to change one’s perception of the world for the better. As an accomplished singer, songwriter and actress, she has entertained millions with her unique vocal sound and mesmerizing screen presence. She first captured America’s attention with her role on “Orange Is the New Black,” and now she captivates audiences with her poignant yet encouraging story of surviving homelessness and a near-paralyzing car accident to go on to achieve success and happiness.

On stage, Cruz shares real-world advice on surmounting life’s obstacles as well as the inspiration to turn dreams into reality. Crediting her car accident for leading her down a better path, she empowers audiences to harness their inner strength and sense of gratitude to learn from challenging life experiences and how to use that hard-fought wisdom to persevere and come out stronger than ever.

Cruz will speak at 7:30 p.m. April 13 in the Ophelia Parrish Performance Hall. Tickets can be picked up at the SAB Office in the lower level of the Student Union Building from 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.