Ceasar Avelar considers himself a blue-collar poet, a working-class writer who speaks words to his everyday life as a factory worker.

“I try to convey my poetry through the lens of a blue-collar worker,” Avelar said. “Its authentic to who I am and the world I live in.”

Avelar, 41, was appointed Pomona’s second poet laureate at the beginning of the year, a title he considers “a fulfillment” of who he is.

On Saturday, a celebration of his appointment as poet laureate took place at Cafe Con Libros Press in downtown Pomona. The event featured live music, poetry and an open mic to celebrate.

The community space supported him when he was just finding himself as a poet, Avelar said.

A local presence in the arts community, Avelar started performing live poetry at Cafe Con Libros Press when he came to Pomona almost a decade ago. In 2017, he founded Obsidian Tongues, an open-mic event that brings poetry artists and musicians to the coffee shop.

“This space became like a second home for me,” Avelar said. “A place to express myself and connect with my community, my people.”The father of two is currently a student at Cal Poly Pomona and pursuing a career in social work. He is also in the process of publishing a book called “God of the Air Hose,” which he says was mostly written at his factory job.

Part of his responsibilities with his new title, which runs through 2024, include promoting poetry. Avelar will be hosting a teen poetry workshop at 4 p.m. April 10 the Pomona Public Library, 625 S. Garey Ave.

“I want to share the stories of our community,” Avelar said. “The good, the bad and the people that make Pomona the beautiful city that it is.”