"Honesty is my favorite form of poetry."
Matthew Cuban Hernandez
Poet, Actor, Emcee, Host, Educator
Praise
The distance we close in moments
the time it takes to go
from thought to action, the will
the restraint and knowing our bodies
are capable
praise be the mornings
when the earth cools itself
ready for the day or bloody from night
praise be the days I miss my mother
the everyday, the grief holding on like
the last part of her in my life, praise be
the health, the decisions
based around the heart
the lighthouse of emotional navigation
at times guiding you to the reefs
praise be the seconds I take myself seriously
the morning commutes
built like a confessional
for the eyes
and the desert of unlearning
that keeps them
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, Educator, 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 nearly 20 years, Matthew has spent the last 13 years working in youth detention centers, high schools, community centers, and other various orgs across Los Angeles County. Currently serving as the Director of Juvenile Programming for Street Poets Inc, Matthew has opened for artists such as Wu-Tang, performed for platforms such as BuzzFeed, LAist, NPR and even appeared on the award-winning television show, Better Things. For the last two summers, Matthew has led 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 teams and Get Lit Words Ignite youth teams to multiple final stage 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.