In 2026, Manuel González was named an Academy of American Poets Laureate Fellow. Manuel González will expand Voces de la Tierra , a statewide poetry initiative that brings spoken-word performances, writing workshops, and community storytelling opportunities to tribal nations, rural communities, libraries, and schools throughout New Mexico. Central to the project is a cohort of six young, Indigenous poets who will serve as youth poetry ambassadors, traveling with González to share their work, engage local youth, and demonstrate the power of poetry as a tool for cultural expression, identity, healing, and connection. Through performances, interactive workshops, community open mics, and a growing digital poetry archive, the project will amplify underrepresented voices, increase access to the literary arts, and foster meaningful connections across the diverse communities of New Mexico.