Poet, Educator, Speaker
KENNETH ROBERT CHACÓN
ABOUT KENNETH
Kenneth Chacón is the author of The Cholo Who Said Nothing & Other Poems(Turning Point, 2017). His work has appeared or is forthcoming in The Colorado Review, Cimarron Review, Palette Poetry, Blackbird, and Huizache among others. Chacón is a native of Fresno, California and teaches English at Fresno City College. He has presented his work to audiences as wide ranging as the Congreso Internacional de Literatura Chicana in Salamanca, Spain to graduates in London, England to graduates in Pleasant Valley prison in Coalinga, California. His work targets the homies, the poor and the lost and those who advocate for freedom and justice on their behalf. Chacón’s dream is to take risks with his poetry, to say something that will impact the streets and make a difference to people living impossible realities.
Praise for the Cholo Who Said Nothing
LEE HERRICK, AUTHOR OF THIS MANY MILES FROM DESIRE AND GARDENING SECRETS OF THE DEAD:
"THE CHOLO WHO SAID NOTHING IS A STUNNING DEBUT, A POET’S MEDITATIONS ON DRUGS, GUNSHOTS, ADDICTION, AND THE INCESSANT ECHO OF GANGS. IT IS ALSO A PORTRAIT OF CONFESSION AND REDEMPTION, SURVIVAL, FAMILY, AND GRACE. THIS IS TRUE FEARLESSNESS AND CONVICTION. THIS IS A STARTLING FIRST BOOK BY A POWERHOUSE OF A VOICE."
CORRINNE CLEGG HALES, AUTHOR OF TO MAKE IT RIGHT:
"THESE POEMS TAKE US ON A COURAGEOUS AND HARROWING JOURNEY TOWARD SALVATION THROUGH A HARSH, CONCRETE WORLD OF ABANDONED BUILDINGS, DRUGS, ALCOHOL, KNIVES AND GUNS. UNFLINCHINGLY HONEST ABOUT THE TANGIBLE AND EVER-PRESENT APPEAL OF WHAT MUST BE LEFT BEHIND, THESE POEMS CARRY NO SELF–RIGHTEOUSNESS, NO SELF-PITY. THEY CARRY ONE MAN’S CANDID, LYRICAL VOICE, AND THEY OFFER SONGS OF DEEP HUMAN LONGING AND HOPE."
TIM Z. HERNANDEZ
AUTHOR OF MAÑANA MEANS HEAVEN AND ALL THEY WILL CALL YOU:
"THIS DEBUT COLLECTION IS A HARD-HITTING TESTIMONY OF ONE MAN’S JOURNEY FROM THE DRUGS AND GANGS THAT ONCE RULED HIS WORLD, INTO THE SUBURBAN LIFE AND ACADEMIA THAT HE NOW GRAPPLES WITH DAILY. THE POEMS—UNAPOLOGETIC IN THEIR SUBJECT AND DELIVERY—RANGE FROM GUT-CHECK MEDITATIONS TO FRENZIED RANTS AND ENLIGHTENED OBSERVATIONS, BUT ALWAYS THEY ARE FORGED FROM RAW EXPERIENCE AND BOLD HONESTY. THE CANDOR IN THESE VERSES IS REMINISCENT OF JIMMY SANTIAGO BACA, BUT WITH THE COOL-HANDED SPIRITUALITY OF ANDRES MONTOYA."
GET IN TOUCH
Kenneth is available for readings and/or speaking engagements. He has spoken at high schools, community colleges, universities, graduation ceremonies, rehabilitation centers, and even places of worship. He brings a positive and encouraging message to those who might need it, but doesn't shy away from speaking the Truth as he sees it.
PAST & UPCOMING EVENTS
Keynote Speech
March 29th 2019
Kenneth Chacón is honored to give a keynote speech at Fresno City College for this year's Chicano Youth Conference organized by M.E.Ch.A. de FCC.
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Together We'll Be a Song: A Celebration of Andrés Montoya
April 13-14 2018
Panel Discussion Saturday, April 14th at 3:45-5pm
Fresno State
Inside the Henry Madden Library
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Respite by the River
May 8 2018 6-8pm
San Joaquin River Parkway and Conservation Trust
11605 Old Friant Rd, Fresno, California 93730
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The Pushouts Movie Screening
October 9, 2019
Panel Discussion
Q & A with Film Producers
6-830PM
Fresno City College
Healing through Words, Images, Poetry & Music
October 14, 2019
4-6PM
Come join us for a night of Art that Heals.
Fresno City College