A series of facilitated book groups scheduled throughout Central Oregon in February, coordinated by Building Common Ground and Central Oregon Community College (COCC), is open to the community to discuss My (Underground) American Dream: My True Story as an Undocumented Immigrant Who Became a Wall Street Executive by Julissa Arce, a political commentator and immigrant rights advocate. A complete listing of the book groups is available at cocc.edu with a search for multicultural events. Arce will speak at the Bend campus next month from 6:30-8pm, Tuesday, February 6, at the Coats Campus Center as part of the college’s Season of Nonviolence schedule.

Making headlines several years ago when she revealed that she had achieved the status of vice president at Goldman Sachs as an undocumented immigrant, Arce is now a champion of immigrant rights as well as a contributor for CNBC and the Huffington Post. She uses her own story to explore the true cost of the American dream for undocumented individuals. Arce became an American citizen in 2014 and serves on the board of directors of the National Immigration Law Center.

The national Season of Nonviolence, now in its twentieth year, honors the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Mahātmā Gandhi and others who believed in nonviolent efforts to advocate for human rights. Building Common Ground’s mission is to be an effective multicultural educational network of individuals and groups serving Central Oregon, promoting justice, equity and compassion in human relations.

For more information on the book events, contact Karen Roth, director of Multicultural Activities, at 541-383-7412 or kroth1@cocc.edu