Trinidad Sanchez Jr.

• Name — Trinidad Sanchez Jr. • Born — 15 June 1943 • Birthplace — Pontiac, Michigan • Died — 30 July 2006 • Place of death — San Antonio, Texas • Occupation — Poet • Genre — Poetry • Notable Works — Why Am I So Brown? • Spouse — Regina Chávez y Sánchez

Trinidad Sanchez Jr. was born in Pontiac, Michigan, on June 15, 1943, the ninth of ten children born to Sofia Sánchez and Trinidad V. Sánchez Sr., also a poet. Sanchez entered the Society of Jesus as a Jesuit brother in Detroit, Michigan, where he worked with young offenders and prison inmates. Remaining in the order for 27 years, Sanchez left the brotherhood but continued to work in prison ministry for an additional five years. In 1992, he moved to San Antonio, Texas to live with longtime friend Regina Chávez, whom he married on Nov. 26, 1993. From the late nineties until 2003, the couple lived in Denver, Colorado where they opened Cafe Taza, a coffee shop showcasing spoken-word performances. In 2003, the couple returned to San Antonio, where the poet spent his final years. Working with young fathers in outreach programs, including Family Star's Montessori and Early Headstart programs, Sanchez used poetry as an exercise for expression in emotionally constrained young men. In education, Sanchez was known as a "poet in the schools." Through the years, Trinidad came to our campus [St. Mary's University] and generously shared his bilingual poetry during classroom readings and outdoor events. His encouragement, his wisdom, and his incredible poems fired up his audiences to venture forth as poets. He reminded listeners to trust their own voices, to be true to the words, and to remember that sometimes we need to laugh at ourselves. In other activities, he participated in the Artist in Education Program for the San Antonio School District, part of the ArtsReach Program of the San Antonio Department of Art and Culture. He also toured with the Texas Literary Touring Program of the Austin Writers' League. He performed and lectured at various colleges, including Wayne State University, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Cal Poly Tech and Bowling Green University. He was also featured at the Austin International Poetry Festival, Houston Poetry Festival, Beyond Baroque Literary Center, the First Nezahualcoyotl Poetry Festival at the Mexican Fine Arts Center, the Detroit Institute of ArtsLine Series (Detroit, Michigan), and many other venues in 1990s and until his death in the first decade of the 21st century. Sanchez is remembered for his passion for influencing young, aspiring Latino writers. A poetry contest in his name is sponsored by the San Antonio literary magazine, Voices de la Luna. The Annual Trinidad Sanchez Jr. Memorial Poetry Festival is held for the poet in Detroit, Michigan.

Trinidad Sanchez Jr. was active in poetry readings. In addition, he published five books: Why Am I So Brown? Chicago: MARCH/Abrazo Press, 1991 Compartiendo de la Nada. San Antonio: M & A Editions, 1994 Poems by Father and Son. San Antonio: Pecan Grove Press, 1996 Authentic Chicano Food is HOT! San Antonio: Adela & Abigail Productions, 1996 Jalapeño Blues. Mountainview: Floricanto Press, 2006 Sanchez's book,Why Am I So Brown?, is now in its sixth reprint. Trinidad Sanchez, Junior's archives have been installed at Michigan State University as a part of the Cesar Chavez Collection.