María Fernanda at a retreat she created for herself.
María Fernanda is a poet.
Her work explores the intimacy of sisterhood, the anchor of intergenerational coexistence, and grief.
A published contributor of the Library of Congress, María Fernanda is a Callaloo fellow. Awarded the Norma Elia Cantú Award in Creative Writing and Andrea K. Willison Poetry Prize, her poems appear in the Hill Rag, The Rumpus, The Breakbeat Poets, Cheryl Clarke's born in a bed of good lessons inspired by Lucille Clifton, Cave Canem's Dogbytes, and numerous other publications.
She performs her original poetry, delivers speeches, offers keynotes, produces programming and presents historic research. María Fernanda’s latest appearances include the National Museum of African American History and Culture in DC, Brooklyn Museum in NY, the Phoenix Art Museum in Arizona, The Broadway League’s Annual Spring Road Conference where she immediately followed Bill Gates, The Denton Black Film Festival in Texas, The Massachusetts Reading Association, Folger Shakespeare Library (DC), and elsewhere.
She recently collaborated with global platform Black Girls in Arts Spaces to lead a literary experience hosted by the National Museum of Women in the Arts in DC. She is a Two-Time Best of the Net Nominee and recipient of the inaugural Hurston/Wright Foundation Poetry Finalist Award.
María Fernanda is the founder of several independent in-person programs, including a poetry garden, where Black literary artists and horticulturists discuss their creative and historic connections to the gardens. Her programs highlight poetry’s versatility and create more opportunities for literary artists throughout their careers.
“We have to protect our storytellers. In a world where people are moving so fast, they don’t want to be taken away. We don’t realize that we want to slow down. María Fernanda and her work remind us to do so.”
— Terry Lovette, Math + Music
“[María Fernanda’s] activism and artwork offer various insights into the question of justice. It was important to me to gather a group of writers whose craft extends to multiple genres, and who are active literary citizens”
—Maya Marshall, Haymarket Books for Denton Record-Chronicle
“We were delighted with Maria Fernanda's moderation. She injected so much intellect and enthusiasm. Thank you for connecting us to her.”
—Guest Speaker, Politics & Prose
Fiction Writer Matthew B. Kelley presents with poet Maria Fernanda at María Fernanda’s a poetry garden series.