Of all the many ways the literary nonprofit O, Miami has brought poetry to the city’s residents, founder and executive director P. Scott Cunningham recalls one in particular: the resurrection of José Martí.
O, Miami bombards Miamians with poetry in April, be it with airplane banners, fake parking tickets or downtown billboards. In 2014, actor Ivan Lopez suggested a fun idea to bring a dead poet to life. He dressed as Martí, the Cuban poet and revolutionary. He recited Martí’s poems as he rode a horse down Calle Ocho, trailed by staff and volunteers handing out white roses.
Cunningham loved the idea and thought it would be funny. But The Last Ride of José Martí meant much more than that, he said. Cuban community members were touched to see and hear their homeland’s idol, and Cunningham recognized the project’s impact.
“One of the things I love about the festival is that I think an event is gonna go one way and then it goes a completely different way,” Cunningham said. “And it’s actually way better and way more meaningful than I ever realized.”
After leading the organization for 17 years, Cunningham is stepping down as executive director as of June 30. O, Miami announced Thursday that it will conduct a search to fill the role. The announcement came just a week away from the group’s annual O, Miami Poetry Festival, from April 1 to 30.
Cunningham will remain involved in the organization as a member of the Board of Directors.
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Links:
Miami Herald | P. Scott Cunningham
