CasaCuba
To honor Miami’s history and the deep Cuban American roots in the community, FIU is creating CasaCuba — a multidimensional cultural and academic center that facilitates the study of Cuban heritage, history, research and culture.
The Benjamín León Jr. CasaCuba building will be a 43,000-square-foot facility that will have exhibition space to showcase FIU’s Cuba-related collections and will house classrooms and academic space. CasaCuba will be a vibrant home that invites visitors from across the globe — and from within the community — to gather, exchange ideas, find inspiration and preserve the story of the Cuban diaspora and its impact on South Florida.
U.S. Ambassador to Spain Benjamín León Jr., who is an honorary alumnus of FIU, gifted $10 million to help build the facility. CasaCuba has also received grants from the National Endowment for the Humanities and the James S. and John L. Knight Foundation. Jorge Mas, one of the most prominent Cuban American business leaders in the country, also made a $5 million gift to CasaCuba.
The groundbreaking ceremony for CasaCuba will take place later this year.
As Cuba stands at a critical moment in its history — with hope for a transition to democracy — FIU’s expertise in scholarship about Cuba will be of particular significance. FIU recently announced a new initiative aimed at supporting Cuba’s transition to democracy.
Under the leadership of President Jeanette M. Nuñez, FIU will marshal resources in a wide array of disciplines, drawing on the university’s long-standing scholarship, regional and national ties, and commitment to democratic values to support the transition.