Richard Blanco, the fifth and youngest inaugural poet in U.S. history, will return as the featured speaker at the Montgomery County Community College Online 2020 Presidential Symposium on Diversity, Oct. 21 from 12:30PM to 2PM.

Blanco previously visited the College during the 2015 Presidential Symposium on Diversity. As a poet, public speaker, teacher and memoirist, he touches the hearts of his audiences as he shares his poetry across the country and the world.

Through his transformative words, Blanco helps people to see beyond their differences and reconnect with each other through their shared experiences.

Blanco will discuss his most recent book of poems, “How to Love a Country,” which examines both the nation’s past and present injustices, celebrates ideals and asserts that America could be a place where all narratives will come together as one.

As part of the Symposium, students and employees were invited to participate in a poetry contest, focused on their experiences and sense of belonging in this country.

Poem submissions will be shared in a poetry panel workshop at the end of the event from 4PM to 5PM and will be published thereafter. A panel of six faculty members and Blanco will be in attendance for the invitation-only workshop where the winners will be announced.

The event will take place on Zoom and will include a live Q&A. The Symposium is free and open to the community; however, pre-registration is required by Sunday, Oct. 18.

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