The Office of Multicultural Affairs Monthly Heritage Speakers Series is an annual event dedicated to celebrating the various cultural heritages present within our student community. Through a carefully curated selection of speakers, workshops, panels, and performances, the series aims to educate, engage, and empower students by providing them with opportunities to learn about and appreciate different cultural backgrounds.

By showcasing diverse voices and narratives, the series encourages cross-cultural understanding, combats stereotypes, and helps bridge gaps between different communities on campus. This dynamic series provides opportunities for all students to engage in meaningful discussions and learn about cultures different from their own. Our aim is to cultivate a broader worldview and help break down barriers that can arise from misunderstanding or lack of knowledge.

September Speaker

José Olivarez is an award-winning poet and spoken word artist, and the son of Mexican immigrants. His debut book of poems, Citizen Illegal, was a finalist for the PEN/Jean Stein Award and a winner of the 2018 Chicago Review of Books Poetry Prize. It was named a top book of 2018 by The Adroit Journal, NPR and the New York Public Library. His second book of poems, Promises of Gold, which was recently released, is a USA Today Book Club Pick.

Along with Felicia Chavez and Willie Perdomo, Olivarez co-edited the poetry anthology, The BreakBeat Poets Vol. 4: LatiNEXT. He is the co-host of the poetry podcast, The Poetry Gods. In 2018, he was awarded the first annual Author and Artist in Justice Award from the Phillips Brooks House Association and named a Debut Poet of 2018 by Poets & Writers. In 2019, he was awarded a Ruth Lilly and Dorothy Sargent Rosenberg Poetry Fellowship from the Poetry Foundation. His work has been featured in The New York Times, The Paris Review and elsewhere.

This event is supported by Geneseo Student Association. It is free and open to the public.