The final Read 2 Succeed event of the spring semester welcomed author, producer, and screenwriter Rafael Agustín for a candid conversation centered on his memoir, Illegally Yours. Students, employees, and community members gathered to hear Agustín reflect on identity, belonging, education, and the power of storytelling.
During the event, Agustín read excerpts from his memoir, including the moment he learned as a teenager that he was undocumented. Throughout the discussion, he balanced humor and vulnerability while speaking openly about his experiences navigating community college, higher education, and the entertainment industry.
Agustín emphasized the importance of mentorship, community, and creating spaces where students feel they belong. Reflecting on his own journey through community college, he credited counselors, professors, and student communities with helping shape his future.
“Everything changed for me in community college,” Agustín shared. “It took a community, it took a village to actually get me to where I am today.”
The event also featured an extended audience Q&A, where attendees discussed topics including mental health, advocacy, cultural identity, fear, and representation in media. Agustín encouraged students to embrace vulnerability, seek community, and continue telling their stories.
“Fear is the point,” he said. “So don’t let fear win.”
Following the conversation, attendees had the opportunity to meet Agustín during a book signing and photo session, concluding the spring Read 2 Succeed series with a message of resilience, connection, and belonging.