H.O.M.E.S. serves as a bridge between more privileged communities and those who have not benefited from the wealth in our region. Each year, H.O.M.E.S.’ lead artist Jose Cordon works with staff on a general theme. In collaboration with directors, a cohort of actors and writers are selected to flesh out the theme and the direction for the script. They meet with Monument Impact’s organizing staff and community members to understand the issues and share their lived experience. After the script and performance concept has been developed, rehearsals and public performances are scheduled.
Watch our full 2024 performance, iLLEGALLY BROWN below:
Jose Cordon is a poet, entrepreneur, and community organizer who has been performing his poetry for over 10 years. He joined the Monument Impact team in 2020 where he has worked with the day labor program, tenant organizing, and leads the H.O.M.E.S art and culture program. He recently founded his own organization called Grassroots Poetry. His poetry has been commissioned by the Latino Community Foundation, Google, the California Endowment, the Blue Shield of California Foundation, Mayors for a Guaranteed Income, and many others. In 2019 he was given the Cesar Chavez Spirit award by a local community college. And most recently, Cordon was named the City of Antioch’s Honorary Poet Laureate, received recognition from the state assembly for his work as a community organizer and poet, and had the opportunity to share his poetry at the US Treasury in Washington D.C.
