About the Institute
February 25, 2020
Award-winning presidential inaugural poet Richard Blanco to speak at Edward M. Kennedy Institute about new poetry collection and finding common ground
City of Boston Poet Laureate Porsha Olayiwola to moderate the conversation
BOSTON – On Thursday, February 27, the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate will host presidential inaugural poet Richard Blanco for a Getting to the Point conversation on the themes he explores in his recent poetry collection, “How to Love a Country,” and how Americans can find common ground through shared experiences and ideals.
Mr. Blanco was the fifth presidential inaugural poet, serving as poet for President Barack Obama’s second inauguration in 2013. He stands as the youngest, first Latino, immigrant, and gay person to serve in such a role. Mr. Blanco will be in conversation with moderator Porsha Olayiwola, Poet Laureate for the City of Boston. Mr. Blanco will perform a poetry reading as part of the program, will take questions from the audience, and will participate in a book signing. He is the author of four collections of poetry and three memoirs.
Ahead of the evening program, local youth leaders will converge for a poetry workshop led by the Kennedy Institute’s newly-formed Youth Action Committee and the Massachusetts Literary Education and Performance Collective (MassLEAP).
WHO:
• Richard Blanco, award-winning writer and presidential inaugural poet
• Porsha Olayiwola, Poet Laureate for the City of Boston, moderator
WHAT:
Getting to the Point with Richard Blanco
WHEN:
Thursday, February 27, 2020, at 6:00 p.m. ET
WHERE:
Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate
Columbia Point
210 Morrissey Boulevard on the UMass Boston campus
Boston, MA
The program’s livestream can be accessed here.
This event is OPEN PRESS. RSVP to press@emkinstitute.org.
About the Edward M. Kennedy Institute
The Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, civic education organization in Boston envisioned by the late Senator Edward M. Kennedy. Through a range of exhibits, interactive educational offerings, and topical programs, the Institute engages students and visitors in a conversation about the essential role each person plays in our democracy and in our society. Learn more via emkinstitute.org.
