US Poet Laureate Joy Harjo Visits CCS

On February 5, 2020, Joy Harjo, the 23rd Poet Laureate of the United States and the first Native American to receive the honor, spoke with CCS Writing & Literature students and others at a small gathering in the Old Little Theater. Sharing wisdom on topics like truth, compassion, and how to write when the hurt in the world takes creativity out of you, Harjo recounted stories from her past that impacted her writing journey. She described attending the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe, New Mexico and her return to the homeland of her Muscogee Creek Nation where she listened to the spirits of her ancestors. To young writers, she encouraged persistence in all aspects of life.