Multicultural Book and Family Festival this Sunday at Cal State

The John M. Pfau Library, in partnership with the Black Faculty, Staff, and Student Association and the San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools, will host the Multicultural Book and Family Festival on Sunday, April 28, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Santos Manuel Student Union.

Festivities include author presentations, book readings, dance performances, learning activities for kids, a children’s theater show, plus arts and crafts exhibitors, food vendors, prizes and more. 

Over 5,000 books will be given away to children and young adults!

KVCR’s Lillian Vasquez, host of the popular radio program “Lifestyles with Lillian Vasquez,” which explores arts and culture in the Inland region, will serve as the festival’s co-MC, along with Alfredo Cruz, Marketing Coordinator for Coyote Radio and Advertising.

“We are excited to present the Multicultural Book and Family Festival (MBFF), which grew out of and succeeds the Latino Book and Family Festival (LBFF), a marquee event CSUSB has hosted the past six years,” said Cesar Caballero, dean of the Pfau Library.  “While the LBFF was always open to all members of our communities, we wanted to expand its scope and reach, an aspiration that led us in a new direction.”  

Vendors, exhibitors, sponsors, local authors and volunteers are still being sought. 

A sample of the program lineup:

• Bàllet Folklorico;
• Faculty Author Jason Perez, English Department, College of Arts and Letters (CAL);
• Terria Smith, California Indian Book editor for Heyday and magazine editor for News from Native California;
• The Imagination Players present:  Grimm’s Fairy Tales (Production director: Professor Tom Provenzano, Theatre Arts, CAL);
• Puppet show by Mary Ellen Abilez;
• Polynesian dance performers; and
• Kalli Tecpatl  (Azteca Dancers).

Special thanks to Deans Rueyling Chuang, Rafik Mohamed, Sastry Pantula, Larry Rose, and Jake Zhu for their support of the program. 

“As we define the future at CSUSB,” said Dean Pantula, “I am reminded of a quote by Confucius: ‘If your plan is for one year, plant rice; if your plan is for ten years, plant trees; and if your plan is for 100 years, educate children.’  Since CSUSB is committed to enhancing diversity and moving the needle on social mobility in the Inland Empire, we in the College of Natural Sciences want to lay a strong foundation in our children through events like this.  The stronger the foundation, the stronger the building will be.”

“Southern California is truly a microcosm of the world, representing many faiths, cultures and cuisines,” said Danny Morales, co-chair of the MBFF planning committee.  “The festival offers a wonderful opportunity to bring communities together to celebrate diversity and support early reading and literacy. We invite everyone to join us and be a part of the celebration.”

The event is free and open to the public, with complimentary parking available in Lot D. 

To register or for more information, email mbff@csusb.edu or call (909) 537-5104.