Richard Blanco

Richard Blanco is a highly respected and influential author, poet, and speaker. He is best known for his role as the fifth inaugural poet of the United States, where he performed his original poem "One Today" at the public ceremonies for President Barack Obama's second inauguration in 2013. Blanco was the youngest, first Latino, immigrant, and openly gay writer to hold this esteemed position, following in the footsteps of notable poets such as Robert Frost and Maya Angelou.

Blanco was born in Madrid in 1968 and immigrated to the United States with his Cuban-exile family as an infant. He was raised and educated in Miami, earning a B.S. in civil engineering and a M.F.A. in creative writing from Florida International University. Prior to his career in writing, Blanco worked as a practicing engineer. He has since traveled extensively, living and working throughout Europe and South America. Blanco has also taught at several prestigious institutions, including Georgetown University, American University, Writer’s Center, and Central Connecticut State University.

Throughout his career, Blanco has published several highly acclaimed books of poetry, including "City of a Hundred Fires" (1998), "Directions to the Beach of the Dead" (2005), "Looking for the Gulf Motel" (2012), "One Today" (2013), and "Boston Strong" (2013). His writing often explores themes of identity, place, and memory, drawing from his experiences as a Cuban-American and member of the LGBTQ+ community. Blanco's work has received numerous honors and awards, including the Agnes Starrett Poetry Prize, the PEN/American Beyond Margins Award, the Tom Gunn Award, the Maine Literary Award, and the Paterson Prize. His poems have also been widely anthologized and featured in literary journals such as "Best American Prose Poems" and "Ploughshares."

In addition to his written work, Blanco is also an accomplished performer and public speaker. He has written and performed occasional poems for various organizations, including Freedom to Marry, the Tech Awards, and the Fragrance Awards. In May 2013, following the Boston Marathon bombings, Blanco wrote and performed "Boston Strong," an occasional poem that he later released as a limited edition chapbook, with all proceeds going to those most affected by the tragedy. Blanco has also received numerous accolades for his performances and public speaking, including an honorary doctorate from Macalester College and being named a Woodrow Wilson Visiting Fellow.

Blanco continues to write and perform for audiences around the world. In addition to his occasional poetry and performances, he is currently working on a full-length memoir and collaborating with renowned illustrator Dav Pilkey on a children's book. Through his powerful and moving writing, Blanco invites readers to connect with the human experience and celebrate the beauty of our diversity.