At the stroke of midnight on January 1, 2023, Poet Ceasar K. Avelar became Pomona’s second Poet Laureate. He took over the reins from David “Judah 1” Oliver, a passionate poet who wears many hats—artist, poet, author, art advisor, and is the Co-Host and Founder of LionLike MindState Poetry and Art Series at the Pomona Fairplex. Avelar steps into the role of Poet Laureate, having become known in the Southern California poetry community for his proletariat-infused poetry and as the host of the monthly open mic “Obsidian Tongues” every second Saturday of the month at Café con Libros Press in Pomona’s Arts Colony. Plus, next year FlowerSong Press will publish his debut poetry collection.