José Olivarez

Award-Winning Author, Poet & Spoken Word Artist

José Olivarez

Award-Winning Author, Poet & Spoken Word Artist

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Biography

José Olivarez is the son of Mexican immigrants and one of the most exciting voices in contemporary poetry. His debut collection, Citizen Illegal, was a finalist for the PEN/Jean Stein Award, winner of the 2018 Chicago Review of Books Poetry Prize, and named a top book of the year by The Adroit Journal, NPR, and the New York Public Library. His second collection, Promises of Gold, further builds on his signature style—blending humor, honesty, and cultural insight—and was selected as a USA Today Book Club Pick.

In addition to his own writing, Olivarez is a collaborative force in the poetry world. Alongside Felicia Chavez and Willie Perdomo, he co-edited The BreakBeat Poets Vol. 4: LatiNEXT, an anthology that highlights the voices and experiences of Latinx poets across the country. He is also the co-host of the poetry podcast The Poetry Gods, where he engages in thoughtful and accessible conversations about craft, culture, and creativity.

Olivarez’s work has earned widespread recognition and critical acclaim. In 2018, he received the inaugural Author and Artist in Justice Award from the Phillips Brooks House Association and was named a Debut Poet of the Year by Poets & Writers. The following year, he was awarded a prestigious Ruth Lilly and Dorothy Sargent Rosenberg Poetry Fellowship from the Poetry Foundation. His writing has appeared in The New York Times, The Paris Review, and other leading publications.

A compelling and engaging speaker, Olivarez connects with audiences through powerful readings and conversations that explore identity, language, and belonging. His work invites audiences to reflect on personal and collective stories while finding humor, resilience, and joy along the way. José Olivarez works in partnership with APB Speakers for speaking engagements worldwide.

Speaker Videos

Withholding Our Truth

Let's Get Married

Down to My Elbows and Nate Calls Me Soft

Citizen Illegal, José Olivarez | UW–Madison Diversity Forum 2023, Day Two

I Loved the World So I Married It

USA TODAY Book Club: 'Promises of Gold' by José Olivarez

Mexican Heaven

Myths and Promises: Decoding "Latino" in America with José Olivarez and Héctor Tobar

José Olivarez at El Paso Community College (April 19, 2023)

José Olivarez reads “Como Tú” (“Like You”)

Jose Olivarez, Promises Of Gold

José Olivarez Reads “Mexican American Disambiguation”

Guapo

Mexican-American Disambiguation

Getting Ready to Say “I Love You” to My Dad, It Rains

Citizen Illegal: Poet Jose Olivarez

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Speech Topics

Promises of Gold: Poetry, Identity & the Complexities of the American Dream

Love is never simple—and neither is the story of who we are. José Olivarez brings his acclaimed collection Promises of Gold, a USA Today Book Club Pick, to life through a dynamic program that can be experienced as a reading, keynote, or interactive workshop. Through powerful poetry and honest reflection, Olivarez explores the many forms of love—self, familial, cultural, and romantic—while unpacking the contradictions of the American Dream with both vulnerability and sharp insight. His work reveals how identity, belonging, and aspiration are often shaped by forces far beyond our control, inviting audiences to sit with complexity rather than search for easy answers. Depending on the format, this experience can include live readings, facilitated conversation, writing prompts, and audience engagement, creating space for both reflection and dialogue. Thoughtful, moving, and deeply human, this program meets audiences where they are and invites them to see their own stories more clearly.

Audiences will learn:

How poetry can be a powerful tool for exploring identity, love, and belonging
Why the American Dream is often experienced in complex and contradictory ways
How creative expression can open pathways for reflection, dialogue, and connection

Citizen Illegal: Poetry, Identity & Life Between Worlds

What does it mean to belong in a place that doesn’t always claim you? José Olivarez, the son of formerly undocumented Mexican immigrants, brings his powerful collection Citizen Illegal to life through a program that can be offered as a reading, keynote, or interactive workshop. Through vivid, accessible poetry, Olivarez explores immigration, in-betweenness, gender, class, and family—capturing the contradictions, joys, and struggles of navigating life between Mexico and America. His work paints unforgettable portraits of communities in transition, from steel mill towns to gentrifying barrios, while opening space for deeper conversations about identity, mental health, and belonging. Depending on the format, the experience can include live readings, audience dialogue, writing exercises, and a facilitated Q&A, creating an environment where stories are not just shared but explored together. Honest, thought-provoking, and deeply human, this program invites audiences to reflect on their own identities and imagine more inclusive futures.

Audiences will learn:

How poetry can spark meaningful conversations around identity, community, and belonging
The complexities of navigating culture, immigration, and life “in between”
How storytelling and creative expression can help us better understand ourselves and others

Writing Between Worlds: A Poetry & Creative Writing Workshop

Every story begins with a voice—and learning to trust that voice is where the real work starts. José Olivarez leads an interactive, hands-on workshop designed to help participants explore poetry and creative writing as tools for self-expression and connection. Drawing from his own journey as an award-winning poet, Olivarez guides participants through the process of turning lived experience into meaningful, resonant work. He explores how identity, language, culture, and memory shape the stories we tell, while offering practical strategies to move past self-doubt and begin writing with intention. Through guided prompts, writing exercises, and group reflection, participants actively engage in the creative process and leave with new work and new confidence. This workshop creates a supportive space where every voice is valued and every story has the potential to be heard.

Participants will learn:

How to develop an authentic voice through poetry and creative writing
Practical techniques for transforming personal experiences into compelling pieces
How writing can be used as a tool for reflection, healing, and connection

Testimonials

“José Olivarez was exceptional. José was warm, generous with students, and created a meaningful and engaging experience for all involved. He connected thoughtfully with the campus community, making the visit both impactful and memorable. We are grateful for the support in planning such a successful event.”

- Dalton School

“José Olivarez was absolutely outstanding and exceeded our already high expectations for his visit. José was exceptional in the classroom, engaging, thoughtful, and generous in his interactions with students and faculty alike. His reading was a tremendous success, with one colleague describing it as the best Mountcastle Lecture in over 40 years at the institution. He is both a remarkable artist and a deeply impactful presence, and we were delighted to have the opportunity to host him.”

- Gilman School

“José Olivarez delivered a highly successful forum and was a pleasure to work with throughout the visit. José thoughtfully incorporated his poetry into the discussion and fostered a meaningful and engaging conversation with students. He was exceptionally well received, with many attendees eager to connect with him following the program.”

- University of Wisconsin-Madison

“José Olivarez’s presentation was nothing short of exceptional. José delivered a powerful spoken word performance that resonated deeply with the audience and sparked meaningful conversations across campus. He seamlessly blended poetry with poignant social commentary, creating an experience that was both thought-provoking and emotionally impactful for students, faculty, and staff. His presence made for an unforgettable evening, and he was a pleasure to work with throughout the engagement. The planning process was seamless, with a responsive and organized team ensuring every detail was thoughtfully managed. We are grateful for José’s inspiring contribution and highly recommend him to any organization seeking a speaker who brings both artistic excellence and lasting impact.”

- SUNY Geneseo

“José Olivarez delivered an outstanding and memorable experience for our community. José was exceptionally well received, with overwhelming positive feedback from attendees who were deeply engaged and inspired by his work. He made a lasting impact on our students, and we are proud to support his work as a continued source of inspiration. We are deeply grateful for the recommendation and for the opportunity to host such a meaningful and successful program.”

- Taft School

“José Olivarez’s Citizen Illegal is both timely and impactful, bringing forward a powerful blend of empathy and incisive critique. José’s work invites audiences to reflect on the humanity of those who have shaped the nation, offering a perspective that is both urgent and deeply resonant.”

- Eve Ewing, Author of Electric Arches

“José Olivarez’s Citizen Illegal is a fearless, honest, and deeply impactful collection of poetry. José’s work is at once skilled, tender, and often laced with humor, as he navigates the sharp dualities and contradictions of citizenship with striking clarity. His poems confront bias and the absurdity of prejudice while affirming a sense of humanity that cannot be defined by policy or borders. At the same time, his writing holds space for love, even as it challenges difficult truths with unflinching honesty. José Olivarez is a powerful literary voice whose work invites readers to question, reflect, and imagine new possibilities beyond the boundaries we inherit.”

- Willie Perdomo, The Essential Hits of Shorty Bon Bon

“Citizen Illegal is a stunning piece of artwork from beginning to end. A vivid journey on José’s real life experiences which open-heartedly allows you to discover many of the things people don’t often talk about: love, anxiety, fear, and hopefulness. This book is inspirational and culturall“José Olivarez’s Citizen Illegal is a stunning and deeply moving work from beginning to end. José draws from his lived experiences to create a vivid and open-hearted exploration of themes often left unspoken, including love, anxiety, fear, and hope. The collection is both inspirational and culturally rich, offering powerful insight into the Latino experience and resonating across a wide range of audiences. Works like Citizen Illegal and voices like José Olivarez’s are essential to fostering understanding, empathy, and connection within our communities.”

- Luis Carranza, poet & member of Young Chicago Authors 2017 Bomb Squad

“José Olivarez’s Citizen Illegal is a deeply moving and intimate collection that feels as though José is in direct conversation with the reader. His poems evoke a powerful emotional response, capturing moments of joy, sadness, and reflection while exploring what it means to be a first-generation Mexican American. José creates a space where love, identity, and community are celebrated alongside the complexities of fear, shame, and lived experience. His work brings these deeply personal stories into the open, allowing readers to connect, reflect, and share in both the beauty and the challenges of that journey. José Olivarez’s voice is both courageous and authentic, and his poetry leaves a lasting impression that readers carry with them long after the final page.”

- Victoria Chávez Peralta, poet & member of Young Chicago Authors 2017 Bomb Squad