Montgomery County Public Libraries (MCPL) will celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month with author Tony Medina as the featured speaker of its "Contemporary Conversations" from 6-8 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 11. Mr. Medina, a professor of creative writing at Howard University, will talk about the Latino identity/culture and his professional career journey during the free event at the Rockville Memorial Library.
The Rockville Memorial Library is located at 21 Maryland Ave. in Rockville. Registration is required to attend either the in-person event or to view it via live streaming. Register at https://mcpl.libnet.info/event/9182499.
“The Contemporary Conversations series provides a wonderful opportunity to listen and learn from knowledgeable and talented speakers and artists,” said County Executive Marc Elrich. “Fostering understanding and appreciation of diverse cultures, including the rich contributions of the Hispanic community, is important. Our County’s public libraries have been steadfast in their mission to share these invaluable impacts with all residents through books, music, programs and events.”
Mr. Medina’s work has appeared in more than 100 anthologies and journals. He is the author/editor of 24 award-winning books for adults and young people including “Che Che Colé” (fiction); “Death, With Occasional Smiling” (poetry); “Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Black Boy” (children’s); “I Am Alfonso Jones” (graphic novel); “Resisting Arrest: Poems to Stretch the Sky” (anthology). Mr. Medina’s novelette, “Porto Rock Pegasus” was recently nominated for a Pushcart Prize by Obsidian: Literature & Arts in the African Diaspora, and his poem “I’ve Got the Covid Blues” was featured in the Academy of American Poets’ Poem-A-Day.
A live music performance by percussionist Luis Garay will take place during the event. Following both artists’ presentations, a reception with refreshments will be held during which time Mr. Medina will sign books. His books will be available that evening for purchase from Friends of the Library, Montgomery County or by visiting www.bookshop.org/shop/folmc.
More information about the event is available at https://youtu.be/a6VMJmdI_mc.
Previous speakers in the Contemporary Conversations series include Kojo Nnamdi, David Ignatius, Charles Lane, Hena Khan, Michelle Singletary, Dinaw Mengestu, Joshua Johnson, Elizabeth Kolbert, Haben Girma, Jarret Krosoczka, Michael W. Twitty, Sheree Renée Thomas, Tyehimba Jess, Karen Washington, Jabira S. Walker, Emanuel Xavier, Regie Cabico, Dr. DJ Kuttin Kandy and BBoy Danny Nguyen. For more information about previous speakers, visit https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/library/programs/contemporary-conversations.html.
For more information about the series, contact Clotilde Puértolas at clotilde.puertolas@montgomerycountymd.gov.
The Contemporary Conversations program is co-sponsored by Friends of the Library, Montgomery County (FOLMC), Montgomery County Office of Racial Equity and Social Justice, Montgomery County Office of Human Rights, Montgomery County Office of Community Partnerships and Classroom 2 Community.
