Through various events, journals and workshops, the creative writing team in the Cal State San Bernardino Department of English works hard to highlight and celebrate the diverse voices of the campus community. Take the poetry celebration in February for example. In honor of African American History Month, the creative writing team, in partnership with CSUSB’s Black Faculty, Staff and Student Association, hosted “Honoring the Past, Bridging the Future.” Comprised of students, faculty and alumni, the event featured 20 African American poets and performers, including visiting poets Natalie Graham, Marcus Omari, and emcee Nikia Chaney. Each poet and performer gave their voice to recite classics from the past as well as to read new, original material. “The audience packed the theater to sing, shout out and clap along to breathtaking performances in celebration of the struggles and triumphs of African American history, which includes this vibrant moment of living history as our students lifted their voices to bring forth the future,” said J. Chad Sweeney, associate professor of English and creative writing, and author of the new book “Little Million Doors: an elegy,” winner of the Nightboat Books Prize.   Throughout the years, the creative writing team has organized a number of diverse events like the African American History Month Poetry Celebration, such as the Hispanic Poetry Festival of the Americas, and Winds of Peace: Poetry and Music from the Middle East in partnership with CSUSB’s Center for Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies. In addition, Juan Delgado, professor of English, has co-hosted the Native Voices Festival, featuring workshops and readings at the Dorothy Ramon Learning Center in Banning by Native American writers, storytellers, musicians and artists. For more than 30 years, CSUSB creative writers have also shared their unique voices in the literary journal Pacific Review, which features poetry, fiction, creative non-fiction, art and photography by students and alumni. Further, for the past ten years, the department has published an international online journal called Ghost Town.   The creative writing team has also hosted multiple joint events with other universities, including UC Riverside, Cal State Fullerton, University of Southern California, San Diego State University, Riverside Community College, College of the Desert, University of Redlands, and Mt. San Jacinto Community College. This spring quarter, the creative writing team has an array of events planned for the campus community, such as an upcoming poetry reading by new faculty member Angela Peñardeondo, celebrating her award-winning book, “All Things Lose Thousands of Times.” Visit the Department of English website to learn more about its programs.