Native Miamian and proud Cuban American Anthony Rionda has been at Florida International University for nearly 25 years – he started as an undergrad – and he currently serves as its associate vice president for strategic communications, government and external affairs as well as co-executive director of the Center for Community Impact and Public Purpose. He and his wife recently welcomed the birth of their first child, a daughter, who already has more than 50 books in her home library. He’s been attending Miami Book Fair for 20 years.
What compelled FIU to partner with Miami Book Fair – how does our work enhance your community-building and cultural connection goals?
FIU does a lot in the K-12 space, and we think it’s just a natural fit with what Miami Book Fair does. We want to support the Fair and make sure that the thousands of children, adults, and families who attend learn about FIU and our programs, like those offered through the Center for Children and Families. That’s a really incredible place at FIU that’s focused on revolutionizing the way that we treat children’s mental health and approach their emotional well-being.
Tell me about some of the other organizations you partner with in Miami.
We collaborate with many different groups, from chambers of commerce to Miami-Dade Public Schools, Miami Dade College, Broward College, and also Baptist Health and Nicklaus Children’s Hospital. We pride ourselves in making sure that FIU is achieving our mission of providing incredible education, economic mobility, and cutting-edge medical research that’s transforming lives locally and around the world. Any organization that falls into those areas probably has an FIU connection. [laughs]
How does MBF’s work align with your personal thoughts on access to literary culture?
It’s important to expose children to literary culture and to support that. I love that there are authors from all around the world at the Fair, and presentations in different languages. I was fascinated by some of the speakers at the last one – famous authors, emerging authors, and children’s book authors alike. We have a long tradition of great authors at FIU, too, including Dennis Lehane and Les Standiford, who directs our creative writing program.
What was the experience like for you and your team at Miami Book Fair 2024?
Great! We had an incredible partner in crime in (MBF director of development) Corey Lewis. We worked with him from day one and he helped us not just get involved, but also introduce some great speakers. One of our faculty members, Rosie Lozada, actually had the privilege of introducing her brother, Carlos Lozada, who was a presenting author. I also bought a bunch of books from University Press of Florida – they’re still in my car because my wife might divorce me if she saw how many I got. [laughs]
Aside from your support as a major sponsor, FIU also sponsored two specific author programs – Carlos Lozada with Max Boot, and Paul S. George and Henry Green with Cesar Becerra – aside from the Lozada sibling connection, why those sessions?
Outside of the sister connection, Carlos has spoken with our students at our Washington, D.C., center, and the program that Paul George and Henry Green did with Cesar Becerra – who’s an FIU grad – talked about Jewish Miami, and FIU is proud to be the home of the Jewish Museum of Florida.
What’s the last great book you read?
That’s a hard one, but probably Eric Larson’s The Demon of Unrest –
Oh, the book he presented at the Fair last year.
Yes, and The Devil in the White City is also top of mind; I think I’ve given about 100 copies of that out to folks as gifts. Larson really takes you into historical moments.
Is there a book you read as a child or teenager that still holds resonance for you?
Number the Stars by Lois Lowry. It’s about the Holocaust and the children in Denmark who were fleeing that.
If you could have a one-on-one lunch with any author, living or dead, who would they be and what would you ask them?
Bob Caro; he’s my favorite author and I’d ask him a lot of questions about Robert Moses.
Interview by Elisa Chemayne Agostinho; responses have been edited for space and clarity.
