Cuban-American Richard Blanco who came to the international stage as the Inaugural Poet at the Second Inauguration of Barack Obama on January 21, 2013, is presenting a Craft Writing for Poetry master class/lecture that is designed for students here at SUNY Orange.

Several classes are coming with their professors to the program which is scheduled from 12:30 to 1:45pm on Thursday, October 5, 2023 in RCSE Forum 010. Q & A with discussion will follow his presentation. The college community may join the already invited classes to this sure-to-be interesting and informative talk.

Blanco holds a degree in civil engineering from Florida International University. However, after receiving that degree and while working in the field, he continued his creative side by focusing on poetry which led him to studying and receiving a degree in creative writing from FIU.

He believes “language matters” and the correct words are important. His Craft Writing session will explain the concept and usage of words.

In March of this year, Richard Blanco received a National Humanities Medal from President Joe Biden. Upon receiving the award, he stated, “As we all know, the humanities are really under threat, and I am hoping this gives me a voice and a bigger platform to contribute to the discussion about the important and vital role the humanities play in education and in our daily lives. … The humanities play an essential role because they teach us to appreciate and respect one another and unite us.” This theme is the basis of his inaugural poem, “One Today.”

Additionally, over the last few years, Blanco has received many poetry and literary awards and was chosen by The Academy of American Poets as its first Education Ambassador. He is the contributing poet to “The Village Voice,” a bi-monthly segment on Boston public radio station WGBH, and he advocates for LGBTQ+ rights, diversity, immigration, arts education, and cultural exchange. He writes regularly about sociopolitical issues and advocates for the role of poetry in the public realm.

A wide variety of his books are available in the college bookstore as well as the event including his new book, Homeland of My Body.

This event for the college community is so-sponsored by Cultural Affairs and the Evelyn and John Morrison Charitable Fund which is administered by the SUNY Orange Foundation. Questions should be directed to Cultural Affairs at cultural@sunyorange.edu

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