Rock Valley College Hosts Rockford Anthology Launch.php

Rock Valley College Hosts Rockford Anthology Launch

• Events
• 10/16/2025

Rock Valley College will celebrate the launch of The Rockford Anthology, a collection highlighting the voices and lived experiences of local creatives, on Wednesday, October 22, from 5–6 p.m. at the Estelle M. Black Library.

Curated by editor, writer, and social worker Rachel León, the anthology amplifies stories of resilience, identity, and community.

The public reading, held the day after the book’s official release, marks the first opportunity to hear from a handful of anthology contributors––including Araceli Olvera, Linda Zuba, Voltavelle (Blake Atterbury), Ryan Burritt, Sarene Alsharif, Wren Medina, and Fatima Khan.

“Rockford has historically been misunderstood and underestimated, and the anthology is an opportunity to offer a more nuanced and accurate portrait of the city,” says editor Rachel León. “Rockford is full of talent, and I’m excited by the range of essays, poems, and images in this collection.”

In recognition of the anthology’s cultural significance, the Mayor’s Office plans to declare the week of the book’s release, October 20, as ‘Rockford Anthology Week.” A series of events will take place throughout that week to celebrate the release and encourage community engagement.

Several RVC alumni have their work featured in this book, including Academy Award nominated filmmaker and RVC Distinguished Alumnus Bing Liu, whose full piece explores his upbringing in Rockford and offers a deeper look into his artistic development.

“I wrote my essay as a way of making sense of a childhood that I've long struggled to comprehend and find meaning in as an adult, a period in which I lived in 8 different homes over the course of 13 years. I've written it not just for myself but in the hopes that by doing so my writing can help others,” Bing Liu reflects.

He encourages other young artists not to be discouraged by setbacks, but instead to embrace them as part of the journey. “You have to learn to live in failure. It's part of the process, so have fun with it, allow it to fuel you, and go easy on yourself when you're feeling stuck.”

Other featured RVC alumni include Linda Zuba, Kimberla Lawson Roby, Myles Halberstadt, Araceli Olvera, and Jenna Goldsmith. Additionally, RVC student Melissa Massiel Blanco helped organize the event.

Jerry LaBuy, Professor, Chair of Mass Communication, sees the event as an essential opportunity for students. “As a teacher, we have a responsibility to create events for our students, to create things that are outside the classroom. And so, this is one thing that I can help make happen.”

In a recent review, Sixty Inches From Center noted that this collection highlights a diverse range of writers young, old, novice, and professional. With a focus on Rockford, this event goes beyond a book launch—it encourages students and educators to delve into the depths of local stories and realize how their own voices can create meaningful change.

At its core, this project is about giving voice, giving support, and giving back, which is why Rachel and the contributors have voted to donate all book royalties to the Rockford Area Arts Council.

“If you want some insight into what artists are doing, I would check out the event and check out the book,” said Jerry LaBuy. “It's only going to help people see the journeys of other people that have kind of maybe gone the way they want to go and find a path of their own from it.”

The reading highlights creativity, resilience, and the diverse stories that define Rockford. Attendees will have the opportunity to hear readings from contributors and participate in a brief Q&A following the presentations. The event is free and open to the public.