An Evening with Rebe Huntman and Richard Blanco

Discover a moving exploration of grief, spirituality and connection as Rebe Huntman shares her debut memoir, My Mother in Havana: A Memoir of Magic & Miracle. Taking place at Books & Books in Coral Gables on Thursday, March 20, this evening event features Huntman in conversation with acclaimed poet and author Richard Blanco.

Huntman’s memoir chronicles her transformative journey to reconnect with her late mother in Cuba, a path that brings her face to face with Afro-Cuban gods, spirits and rituals. Through poetic and physical storytelling, she blends memory with spiritual exploration, offering an intimate portrait of loss, resilience and the sacred feminine.

Moderating the conversation is Richard Blanco, the fifth Presidential Inaugural Poet and a celebrated voice for cultural identity and belonging. Together, they will delve into Huntman’s lyrical writing, the spiritual significance of her journey and the intersection of personal and cultural histories.

Rebe Huntman is a memoirist, essayist, dancer and poet. Former head of the award-winning Danza Viva Center for World Dance, Art & Music, she has been featured in Latina Magazine, Chicago Magazine and the Chicago Tribune. Her work has been supported by institutions such as Ohio State University, Virginia Center for Creative Arts and Ragdale Foundation. Huntman splits her time between Delaware, Ohio and San Miguel de Allende, Mexico.

Richard Blanco is a renowned poet, memoirist and public speaker. Selected as the fifth Presidential Inaugural Poet by President Obama, Blanco is the youngest, first Latinx and openly gay poet to serve in this role. His work explores themes of identity, belonging and home, earning numerous accolades including the National Humanities Medal. Blanco currently serves as Education Ambassador for The Academy of American Poets and is the first-ever Poet Laureate of Miami-Dade County.

An Evening with Rebe Huntman and Richard Blanco is presented by the Books & Books Literary Foundation. Admission to this event is free, and books will be available for purchase.