World Poetry & Creative Expression: Celebrating Voices Across Our Community
by Alvin Blount
One of the most meaningful collaborations hosted this semester was the World Poetry & Creative Expression, the brainchild of Lauren Rich, Learning & Engagement Librarian at our Newton Campus. The event took place in November 2024 and again in 2025, each time filling the Jim Cherry Auditorium on the Clarkston Campus with creativity, connection, and community.
As emcee, Rich shined at bringing people together—collaborating with faculty, students, and marketing to make the event a success. Alvin Blount, Learning & Engagement Librarian at our Clarkston Campus also helped coordinate the event. Clarkston was selected as the venue because of its wonderfully diverse student body. The vision was to create a space where students could share poems or short excerpts in their original languages, followed by English translations and personal reflections on why the work matters to them. While not every event has featured multiple languages, participation has been consistently strong, with students and faculty even publishing their works afterward.
This event was designed to spotlight student voices first, followed by faculty and staff if time allows. At our most recent gathering, we were thrilled to welcome forty-eight readers and attendees. Just like last year, the selections reflected remarkable variety and diversity. Even more inspiring was the way students supported one another, creating a sense of comfort and healing simply by sharing literature in a welcoming space.
In today’s world, spaces like these—where we can be ourselves, celebrate our cultures, and connect through art and literature—feel more important than ever. And that’s exactly what World Poetry & Creative Expression continues to offer. Look out for the next World Poetry & Creative Expression.