Speakers Forum Spring Lineup

Speakers Forum Spring Lineup

Fresno City College's Speakers Forum announces its Spring lineup. Coming to the FCC campus this semester is poet Claudia Rankine, former Congressman Jason Chaffetz and political strategist and commentator Ana Navarro. Admission to each event is free. Each event is open to the public as seating allows. The Public Information Office can provide more details at 559.489.2218

Claudia Rankine, Thursday, February 13, 7pm, OAB Auditorium

Fresno City College is kicking off the Spring 2020 Speakers Forum lineup with poet, author and playwright Claudia Rankine in partnership with the Fresno County Public Library Big Read Program. On Feb 13, Rankine will speak about her works including "Citizen: An American Lyric", "Don't Let Me Be Lonely", and her latest work to be published in 2020 entitled "Just Us."

In 2016, the poet  established The Racial Imaginary Institute, a create-based organization made to examine whiteness and how stories about race are kept and perpetuated by those in power. Rankine is the recipient of numerous poetry prizes and has worked with the Guggenheim Foundation, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the MacArthur Foundation through their fellowship programs. 

Aside from her creative endeavors, Rankine also teaches poetry at Yale University. 

She will be speaking at the OAB Auditorium on Feb. 13 at 7 p.m. Relaxed parking is in lots B, C, & D. Parking in other lots is $1.

Jason Chaffetz, Monday, March 2, 7pm, Theatre

Former congressman Jason Chaffetz follows Rankine on March 2 at the FCC Theatre.

Chaffetz is a former Republican member of Congress from Utah's 3rd congressional district. He served from 2009 until his retirement in 2017. He chaired the Committee on Oversite and Government Reform from 2015 until 2017. Chaffetz is known for his contributions to FOX News, his investigations into government agencies and scandals, and for authoring the New York Times best-selling book "The Deep State: How an Army of Bureaucrats Protected Barack Obama and Is Working to Destroy the Trump Agenda."

Chaffetz graduated from Brigham Young University with a degree in communications and then worked in a number of public relations and marketing positions. He became involved in politics when he served as campaign manager for Utah Governor John Huntsman and later became his Chief of Staff.

His presentation in the FCC Theatre on March 2 at 7 p.m. is titled “President Trump: Tweets and Beats.” Seating will be limited. Relaxed parking is available in lots D, E, and F.  Parking in other lots is $1.

Ana Navarro, Wednesday, April 22, 12 pm, OAB Auditorium

Rounding out the lineup for the Spring is Republican strategist, CNN political analyst, and co-host of ABC’s “The View” Ana Navarro who will speak at the OAB Auditorium on April 22. Her appearance is sponsored by Fresno Building Healthy Communities.

Navarro has spent years in politics working on a number of political campaigns including the late Arizona Senator John McCain’s 2008 Presidential Campaign and former Utah Governor Jon Huntsman’s 2012 Presidential Campaign. She also played a role on Florida Governor Jeb Bush’s transition team.

Navarro is a graduate of the University of Miami. In 1993, she obtained her BA in Latin American studies and political science. She obtained a Juris Doctorate in 1997. She was born in Nicaragua, and in 1980, as a result of the Sandinista revolution, she and her family immigrated to the United States. She continues to work on immigration and human rights abuse issues.

She will be speaking at the OAB Auditorium on April 22 at 12:00 p.m. Relaxed parking is in lots B, C, & D. Parking in other lots is $1.