January Highlights & February Announcements

My first wish is that I hope you are all taking time to take care of yourselves so that you can care for each other. This is far easier said than done. We are indeed in challenging times and  many have been here before. Breathe. Rise. Resist. Engage in and create art! The arts will always be the powerful tool to help us work through the struggles. 

On the day we recognized Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday this year, many locals came together for a day of solidarity presented by the Multicultural Arts Leadership Institute (MALI SV).

Here are some images from the gathering, including some POETree offerings.  Thank you to Demone Carter, MALI SV, the School of Arts and Culture @ MHP and all who made it happen.

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Last month I met a stunning young poet. She is 11 years old and her name is America Cihuapilli. I have invited her to share a poem for the invocation at the San Jose City Council meeting on April 4th in recognition of National Poetry Month.  Here is her poem that will be included in the spring mother tongue anthology:

My Name is America Cihuapilli

I am native, independent, and proud 

My name is America 

I stand on this land

with my feet firm on the ground.

My Land, Your Land, OUR LAND!

I AM YOUR AMERICA 

I stand for grace, liberty, and freedom

My name is Cihuapilli 

Mi nombre es Cihuapilli!

Defined as lady princess

I am a warrior woman in the making..

A Guerrera child

Noble, protective, 

Of my culture, de mi cultura

Cautious, elegant, unbreakable 

Reina sin corona

Royalty crownless

Yet, I have my castle

My land 

Mi tierra

AMERICA

I AM YOUR AMERICA CIHUAPILLI

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Please join us! I am thrilled to be presenting at Kepler’s Books along with these stellar writers. Details on the Facebook event page

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February – March 2017

I will be participating in three events for this year’s SVR program:

For all details and a full calendar of events please visit the Silicon Valley Reads 2017 Schedule. There are events for all ages.

For the Feb. 15 reception and reading at DeAnza College – Euphrat Gallery, please visit the Facebook event page

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Details on the Facebook event page

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Details on the Facebook event page

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Details on the Facebook event page

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For more information join the Facebook group page

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San Jose’s own Mighty Mike McGee is non-stop with a myriad of cool events and a monthly calendar to get you involved! Please check it out here.