I’m back in studio after spending most of this past week in the Bay Area. I did several rounds of outreach talks and presentations at San Jose State University, discussing sf/f art, career paths, The Mexicanx Initiative, Worldcon 76, and more. The kids were passionate and amazing. SJSU has an incredible Mexican-American Studies program and cultural heritage emphasis, and last year when I was asked to be Worldcon’s Artist Guest of Honor, I knew I wanted to reach out to this university because of their excellence in those departments. SJSU is also located within a few minutes’ walk from the site of this year’s Worldcon. As expected, there was a fantastic range of racial diversity, but I was especially glad to see so many DREAMers and Mexicanx in the audiences. I hope to see them again when they attend their first Worldcon and first Hugo Awards Ceremony this August.

Thank you to Kathryn Blackmer Reyes, Vanessa Fernández, Julia Curry, Andrew Blanton, Lily Pinedo Gangai, Marcos Pizarro, Sonja Daniels, Bonnie Sugiyama, and everyone who made my visit possible. Kathryn did incredible work, championing and arranging this endeavor. It would not have happened without her leadership. And again — MUCHAS GRACIAS to all of the students who were so incredible all week long.

After the SJSU appearances, I did a Loteria Game Night and Poster Signing at Borderlands Books in San Francisco. Thank you to everyone who came to play on a rainy night, and especially to Alan Beatts and Jude Feldman for hosting. I know many of the friends that night will be attending Worldcon this summer and I can’t wait to see them again.