"My favorite form of poetry is honesty."
MATTHEW
CUBAN
Poet, Actor, Emcee, Educator
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. Matthew is also a three time Southern Fried poetry slam champion and an award-winning poetry coach. Cuban’s favorite activity is making people feel great; sometimes he does this through hip hop and poetry.
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.
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
Sierra DeMulder
award-winning international poet, educator
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.
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.
Justus Jones
rapper, mentee
Tonya Ingram
world-renowned poet, mental health advocate
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.