INS 2015 KEYNOTE ADDRESS


Richard Blanco 
One of the most beloved and influential poets and storyteller writing today
Monday, May 18 9:00 AM 

Richard Blanco is the author of  the memoirs The Prince of Los Cocuyos: A Miami Childhood and For All of Us, One Today: An Inaugural Poet’s Journey; the poetry chapbooks One Today and Boston Strong; and the poetry collections Looking for the Gulf Motel, Directions to the Beach of the Dead, and City of a Hundred Fires.

In 2013, Blanco was chosen to serve as the fifth inaugural poet of the United States, becoming the youngest, first Latino, immigrant, and openly gay writer to hold the honor. His poems have appeared in countless literary journals and anthologies, including Best American Prose Poems and Ploughshares. Blanco has received numerous honors for his writings and performances, including an honorary doctorate from Macalester College and being named a Woodrow Wilson Visiting Fellow. He is currently working on a full-length memoir and is collaborating with renowned illustrator Dav Pilkey on a children’s book.

Learn more about his story through INS’ interview with Mr. Blanco in INS Podcasts.