Ernesto Garay reads from his new book of poems “Reverberating Voices” published by FlowerSong Press. Ernesto will be joined by guests poets Tongo Eisen-Martin, Bernice Espinoza, and Ngame Grey
Ernesto M. Garay’s writings have appeared in the DI-VȇrRSέ-City Anthology 2020, Redwood Writers 2016 Poetry Anthology, Pterodáctilo, and Ethnic Studies Journal. Garay is the author of one collection of poetry: Reverberating Voices. He is LA Revista Bilingüe: La Voz’s Person of the Month in Sonoma County for March 2020, a 2019-2020 Sonoma County, California, Discovered Award Recipient in Literary Arts and an Ethnic Studies Associate Faculty at San Jose City College, and Woodland Community College. Garay now lives in San Francisco and Sonoma County with Pakal, his son.
Tongo Eisen-Martin Originally from San Francisco, Tongo Eisen-Martin is a poet, movement worker, and educator. His latest curriculum on extrajudicial killing of Black people, We Charge Genocide Again, has been used as an educational and organizing tool throughout the country. His book titled, "Someone's Dead Already" was nominated for a California Bookstore Award. His book "Heaven Is All Goodbyes" was published by the City Lights Pocket Poets series, was shortlisted for the Griffins Poetry Prize and won a California BookAward and an American Book Award. His latest book “Blood On The Fog” was released this fall in the City Lights Pocket Poets series and named one of the New York Times poetry books of the year. In 2020, he co-founded Black Freighter Press to publish revolutionary works. He is San Francisco’s eighth poet laureate.
Bernice Espinoza, Her life long dedication to social justice has led her activism, advocacy, a career in law, and even poetry -all of which center on the social justice issues close to her heart (particularly immigration, racial justice and criminal justice reform). Bernice has been writing since she was 11 years old and has 3 published poems! She derives her purpose from her faith and the community she serves. Her belief that she can always try to use her educational privilege and resources to serve others is what sustains her through challenging times.
Ngame Gray. Gray is a Social Justice Major out of Long Beach State, CommUnity advocate and activist, but her superpower as Neo Soul Poet is her gift she shares from Northern California thru Southern California. N'game' was raised in Sonoma County and lives there still. Her love for poetry came about at the early age of 5 years olds making up songs that were silly and songs that were sad and at the age of 11, her songs transitioned into Poetry for the Soul.