About This Event
Thursday, November 6, 2025
Hartford Public Library’s Beyond Words is our signature annual fundraising event, celebrating the transformative power of libraries.
This special evening highlights the Library’s commitment to literacy, community, and connection. Beyond Words showcases the power of impact—how your support helps us change lives, expand opportunities, and build a stronger Hartford.
Special Guest, Ocean Vuong in conversation with Thea Montañez, HPL Ambassador.
Writer, professor, and photographer, Ocean Vuong is the author of On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous, winner of the American Book Award, The Mark Twain Award, and The New England Book Award. The novel debuted for six weeks on The New York Times bestseller list and has since sold more than a million copies in 40 languages. His latest novel, The Emperor of Gladness, was published this May.
Ocean currently splits his time between Northampton, Massachusetts and New York City, where he serves as a Professor in Modern Poetry and Poetics in the MFA Program at NYU.
Celebrating 25 Years: For a quarter century, The American Place has helped thousands of immigrants and refugees begin their journey on a legal path to citizenship. As a vital resource, it connects newcomers with city services, education, and workforce opportunities to support resettlement and long-term success.
Caroline M. Hewins Medal: This year the honor will be presented to the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving for its transformative grantmaking and deep commitment to equity and public service. The award recognizes those who provide revolutionary service to Hartford and champion equal access to opportunity—values that HFPG exemplifies.
Evening Schedule
Reception, Cocktails and Dinner, 6 pm - 7 pm
Remarks and Honors, 7 pm - 8 pm
About This Event
Thursday, November 6, 2025
Hartford Public Library’s Beyond Words is our signature annual fundraising event, celebrating the transformative power of libraries.
This special evening highlights the Library’s commitment to literacy, community, and connection. Beyond Words showcases the power of impact—how your support helps us change lives, expand opportunities, and build a stronger Hartford.
Special Guest, Ocean Vuong in conversation with Thea Montañez, HPL Ambassador.
Writer, professor, and photographer, Ocean Vuong is the author of On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous, winner of the American Book Award, The Mark Twain Award, and The New England Book Award. The novel debuted for six weeks on The New York Times bestseller list and has since sold more than a million copies in 40 languages. His latest novel, The Emperor of Gladness, was published this May.
Ocean currently splits his time between Northampton, Massachusetts and New York City, where he serves as a Professor in Modern Poetry and Poetics in the MFA Program at NYU.
Celebrating 25 Years: For a quarter century, The American Place has helped thousands of immigrants and refugees begin their journey on a legal path to citizenship. As a vital resource, it connects newcomers with city services, education, and workforce opportunities to support resettlement and long-term success.
Caroline M. Hewins Medal: This year the honor will be presented to the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving for its transformative grantmaking and deep commitment to equity and public service. The award recognizes those who provide revolutionary service to Hartford and champion equal access to opportunity—values that HFPG exemplifies.
Evening Schedule
Reception, Cocktails and Dinner, 6 pm - 7 pm
Remarks and Honors, 7 pm - 8 pm