CSW Welcomes Jennifer De Leon for MLK Day Assembly

Jenn, a Latina author whose work includes the young adult novels Borderless and Don’t Ask Me Where I’m From, as well as several essay collections, grounded her remarks in the legacy of Dr. King. She opened by playing excerpts from King’s iconic “I Have a Dream” speech, inviting students to consider how storytelling and literary devices can move people, shape collective imagination, and inspire meaningful social change. She emphasized that even the most transformative visions often begin as distant, or seemingly impossible, dreams, urging students to allow themselves to imagine who they want to be and what they want to contribute to the world.

Jenn also shared her personal journey as the daughter of Guatemalan immigrants, describing the experience of feeling caught between cultures while growing up in a predominantly white suburban school environment. She spoke candidly about not feeling a sense of belonging during high school, college, and beyond, and about how writing became a way for her to make sense of those experiences. By continuing to write, and learning to trust her own voice, she eventually created the books she had once wished existed for her younger self.

During the assembly, Jenn read an excerpt from Don’t Ask Me Where I’m From, in which a young protagonist navigates an uncomfortable classroom discussion about immigration policy, highlighting the emotional weight such moments can carry for students whose identities are placed under scrutiny. The visit concluded with a thoughtful Q&A, during which students asked questions about imposter syndrome, the challenges of writing, and Jenn’s experiences as a woman of color in the publishing world.

Jenn’s visit offered students a powerful reminder of the role storytelling can play in shaping empathy, self-understanding, and social change, an especially resonant message as the community reflected on Dr. King’s enduring legacy.