Jose Garcia Martin is back for a second year as Poet Laureate for the City of Lathrop.

His return for another year was made at the January Lathrop City Council meeting by Parks & Recreation Director Todd Sebastian.

“The exciting thing is that we built a great program and Jose really kicked that off,” he said.

The Poet Laureate program – a three-year renewable grant – is again being made possible by the Library and Literacy Foundation of San Joaquin County, with the intent to promote a lifelong love of literature and poetry.

Martin was unanimously selected for year two via a review committee consisting of members from the Lathrop Senior Advisory Commission, the Lathrop Youth Advisory Commission, and the Lathrop Parks & Recreation Commission.

He called that inaugural first year as being “foundational” and is looking to add on with a busy second year.

Martin’s theme is “Action Speaks Louder than Words.”

In an effort to be even more involved in the community, he plans to do Poetry Slam – a live performance emphasizing emotional delivery, personal storytelling, and audience engagement – and Spoken Word events to go along with Juneteenth, Veterans Day, the July 1 Incorporation of the City of Lathrop celebration, Christmas Tree Lighting, and Memorial Day, to name a few.

Elected leaders were thrilled to have Jose Garcia Martin back as the City of Lathrop’s poet laureate.

“I’m very thankful to have you back to working with our (young people) – your energy and passion really speak to them,” said Vice Mayor Jennifer Torres-O’Callahan.

Added Council member Minnie Diallo: “I’m excited to see what this year brings (from you).”

Martin was picked nearly a year ago as the first-ever poet laureate.

He’s known for blending social, religious, and political themes with gritty realism and vivid detail in his work.