"Honesty is my favorite form of poetry."
Matthew Cuban Hernandez
Poet, Actor, Emcee, Host, Educator
Credence
There is a faith in loving, like disciple
or religion, it takes faith, a belief
in something beyond
yourself, a moon floating in the iris
of the crush you’ll never speak to
faith is daily, something to work at and chip away
a hemming, a hand-grenade to your heart
handing the pin to something that can walk away
still, there is a faith in loving someone
like rain carving a new path
through marble
Reviews on Matthew's new book! "All Brown Boys Get Trumpets
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This book is dedicated to every kid told who they were, before discovering on their own. It's for the teachers and mentors praying their students won't fall into the traps the world has set for them. These poems are for liberation, and those who strive for peace by any means. For the ones who feel like a mistake, the ones riddled with grief and self-doubt. This book is for Duval County.....
I am a Brown boy embracing all
that is my mix.
Matthew ‘Cuban’ Hernandez is a poet, emcee, speaker, actor, and performance coach from Jacksonville, Florida. He has toured as far as Abu Dhabi and nearly every major city in the United States and Europe, performing, teaching and coaching poetry. A teaching artist for over 15 years, Matthew has spent the last ten years working in youth detention centers across Los Angeles County, currently serving as the Director of Camp Programming for Street Poets, Inc. In addition, he is a current Lead Teacher and Co-Founder of Spoken Literature Art Movement. Cuban has opened for artists such as Wu-Tang, performed for platforms such as BuzzFeed and NPR and even appeared on the award-winning television show, Better Things. For the last two summers Matthew lead an arts and culture delegation to perform, teach and speak in Havana Cuba. Matthew is also a three time Southern Fried poetry slam champion and an award-winning poetry coach. Leading both Da Poetry Lounge Adult team and Get Lit Words Ignite youth team to multiple finals appearances at National and International Poetry competitions. Cuban’s favorite activity is making people feel great; sometimes he does this through hip hop, poetry and healing circles.
As an educator, Matthew is engaging like no other teacher I have met. His warm and generous energy is practically tangible the moment he enters a classroom. His writing workshops are thoughtful and fun, and his understanding of the craft is unmatched. But what impresses me most about Matthew beyond his creative skill is his unique ability to make everyone he comes in contact with feel inspired, empowered, and appreciated. It’s his gift and it’s a privilege to experience.
Sierra DeMulder
award-winning international poet, educator
since the beginning, you gave light to others you believed neglected by the world. since that time, you gathered light to share in community. since then, you've grown to give yourself light no other could give... let it be known that your gifts are growing, bless beyond you, and are a light in our lives that we are all thankful for
Beau Sia
Tony award-winning poet
I appreciate Matt for always being optimistic, believing in me even when I didn't believe in myself and letting me know I have a story that needs to be heard.
Matthew 'Cuban' Hernandez is a gift to the world serving as an inspiration for the creator I hope to be and for the human I strive to become. A poet, rapper, educator and friend, Cuban is a light amongst us. With his electric spirit, encouraging heart and enormous joy, I am thankful to call him family. PS: he is definitely someone you would want on your zombie apocalypse team.
Justus Jones
rapper, mentee
Safety hasn't always been easy to come by in this life, so I cherish it when it comes by. There are few people about whom I can say without hesitation make me feel completely safe when I'm around them. Matthew does.