Jose B. Gonzalez was born in San Salvador, El Salvador, and immigrated to New London, Connecticut at the age of eight. He has been the recipient of such honors as the 2009 American Association of Hispanics in Higher Education Outstanding Faculty of the Year Award, Connecticut's Higher Education Multicultural Faculty of the Year Award and has published poetry in such journals as Callaloo, The Teacher's Voice, Palabra, Acentos Review, Calabash and Colere, and anthologies including Coloring Book, Nantucket: A Collection, and Latino Boom: An Anthology of U.S. Latino Literature, which he also co-edited.  His work was most recently included in a special edition of OCHO featuring Latino poets.  He was the recipient of the 2006 Poet of the Year Award presented by the New England Association of Teachers of English.  In addition, he has contributed critical and nonfiction essays to such journals as New England Quarterly and to National Public Radio. 

Jose infuses his presentations with a mix of poetry, humor, and social commentary. He holds a Master’s in Teaching in English from Brown University and a Ph.D. in English from the University of Rhode Island.  He has presented at various conferences, schools and colleges such as Yale University, Wright State University, University of Connecticut, Eastern Connecticut State University, Connecticut College, Boston College, and he has been keynote speaker for a number of Hispanic Heritage Month events.  He is currently a Professor of English at the United States Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut.  For information on scheduling him for a speaking engagement, e-mail: jgonzalez@latinostories.com.  He is available for the following keynote lectures, presentations, and workshops (as well as for poetry readings):

*     From No-English to Professor of English: What Educators Should Know About a Former ESOL Student's Journey

*     Latino, Hispanic, Latin American: And What Difference Does It Make Anyway? (Ideal for Hispanic Heritage Month and other culture-themed functions)

*     Everything You Wanted to Know About Latino Literature (in 90 Minutes or Less)

*     And I Thought Aliens Didn't Eat Rice and Beans: The Evolution of the Word "Alien"

*     Poetry Readings and Customized Presentations on Latino Literature and Culture
 

*      February:  Invited Panelist, Harvard University 2010 East Coast Chicano Student Forum Conference

2009

*     December: Panelist, Modern Language Association Convention, PA

2007-08

*      February: Reader, AWP ACENTOS: A Gathering and Celebration of Latino and Latina Poets.  February, 2008. Readers included Scheduled readers include Martin Espada, Rafael Campo, Aracelis Girmay, Willie Perdomo. Hosted by Rich Villar.

*     February: Keynote Speaker, Langston Hughes Community Poetry Reading.  Mystic Arts Center

*     February:  Acentos Bronx Poetry Showcase.  The Bruckner Bar and Grill

*     April 25, 26 & 27, 2008: Poetry reader and panelist.  Newburyport Literary Festival

*     April 30:  Poetry Celebration Keynote Speaker, Cumberland County College, New Jersey

*     July 17: Featured Poet, Hygienic Gallery, New London, CT

*     September 24: Keynote Speaker, Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation, Connecticut

*     October 2007: Keynote Speaker, Hispanic Heritage Month, Wright State University

*     October 2007: Featured Poet, Connecticut College

 

Recent Letters: Hi Jose, Thank you so much for being the speaker at our Langston Hughes event.  I was knocked off my feet by your speech and poetry.  I hope you got a chance to see the Norwich Bulletin article about the event-it wrote about the laughter and the wonder of your "brown" autobiographical poem.  I loved your part in the event.  You have a teacher's ear for keeping your listeners interested. We were listening to you.  And thanks for your actor's voice which you projected.  I'll be listening for your comments on NPR. Jackie Hemond Norwich Otis Library Dear Jose: I want to thank you for allowing me to use the audio recording of your poem “The Autobrownography of a New England Latino” as the centerpiece for the keynote address I delivered to the annual NM/WTSAP (New Mexico/West Texas Student Assistance Programs) TRiO conference in Albuquerque this past April.  The two hundred Latino college students in the audience enthusiastically enjoyed your remarkable work; I could see the personal glimmers of recognition in their eyes and the repeated affirmations and nods as they shared your descriptions of your educational journey.  Without question, your evocative words were inspirational and I was personally very happy to have been able to share your creation with them.  Thanks for your very meaningful contribution to our event and your words’ great promise and generosity of spirit. John Whitman TRiO/SSS & Tutoring Programs Director Santa Fe Community College Santa Fe, NM Dear Jose: Thank you for your humanity, your warmth, ... everybody was buzzing about your presentation." Professor Kevin McGarvey, Cumberland County College Dear Jose: Jose, your obvious public speaking talents, coupled with your breadth of knowledge make you a dynamic speaker. You weave humor and pathos into your presentations captivating your audiences! Your presentations aren't simply lectures - they are events! Julie Johnson Associate Director College of Fine Arts Advising University of Nevada Las Vegas Jose: On behalf of the Hispanic Leadership Forum here at Sikorsky, we want to thank you because of your captivating poetry, humor, and the way you touched based on the different journeys Latinos go through in life.  There was never a dull moment.  I had nothing but great feedback from the people who attended this event.  You are inspiring.  I would definitely recommend you to anyone.  You are indeed a great poet and presenter. David Collazo, Co-Chair, Hispanic Leadership Forum Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation Jose: There have been sooooooo many great comments.  Everyone loved you .... you really entertained people and engaged them. Juanita Campbell-Heredia, Union Latina Allegheny College

Poetry Review:
Almost each poet in the collection [of OCHO] is able to locate the organic interchange between past and present, maintaining reverence toward self and seemingly, toward much of the Latino culture.  Perhaps Jose B. Gonzalez best captures this duality in his poem “Fleeing For Work” when exclaiming his desire to “rinse [himself] with drops of mud, & curse the distance between dirt, clean water & our blood.”  These chilling lines reverberate throughout the entire issue, enhanced by the truths of Gonzalez’s talented contemporaries.
The Montserrat Review