Roots Volume 2 | Issue 7 April 2009 1 In This Issue: ATOG Ike Torres Poet-Activist Provokes ATOG Audience ATOG: Ike Torres page 2 Cesar Chavez Remembered page 3 After Spring Break, and an extra day off, April’s Another Type of Groove will feature Oakland-native Chicano Ike Torres. Ike Torres began his poetry career in 2005 when he first performed at the Mahogony Urban Poetry Series. His ability was quickly recognized as he won a spot on the Sacramento Slam Team in 2005 and 2006. He was also named the Sacramento Grand Slam Champion and a Podslam All-Star in 2006. His poetry resonates with themes of politics, social justice and the importance of education, and he has been praised for his high energy lyrics. He has also traveled throughout California, New Mexico and Texas as both a performer and guest speaker at a variety of venues, high schools and universities. Since 2006, he has also been working with youth in the Sacramento and Oakland areas through the Stockton-based non-profit organization With Our Words. The program teaches youth how to express themselves through poetry, both written and spoken, by bringing professional poets to high schools to perform and host workshops. The workshops also stress the importance of literacy in the modern world. By bringing together students of different interests, the program’s goal is to provide students with new experiences and abilities to improve their skill behind the mic and on stage. Torres has also shared the stage with past ATOG poets Mike McGee, Talaam Acey and Andrea Gibson. 100% Organic Cotton ATOG shirts available at the door for $10 Simply Kat at March’s ATOG Newsletter Design and Stories by Mickela Gonzales mtgonzal@calpoly.edu MCC on the web www.multicultural.calpoly.edu 2 Cesar Chavez Remembered Tribute to Influential Chicano Leader On Thursday April 2, the MCC will be hosting a tribute to Cesar Chavez. Besides a day off of school, few people know little about Chavez, and his importance to minority workers, Mexican Americans in particular. The film Chicano! will be shown, highlighting the contributions and achievements of Cesar Chavez, and will be followed with a brief discussion. Thursday, Apr. 2, 2009 11a - 12p MCC Lounge (UU 217) Asian Pacific Islander American Month Updates Coming Soon Stop by the MCC in UU 217 for more info 3