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Florida International University (FIU) announced the construction of the new CasaCuba building after receiving a $10 million donation from Benjamín León Jr., founder of León Medical Centers.
"With this gift, our story endures for future generations. Like many exiles, my family had to start over, and we achieved everything thanks to hard work and perseverance. It is a great privilege to be able to contribute to the preservation and dissemination of this part of American history," said León.
The philanthropic gesture aims to ensure the preservation and interpretation of the culture and traditions of exiled Cubans.
The donation was officially announced this Thursday at the main campus of FIU, with the participation of prominent figures from the fields of science and culture in Florida.
Among the most prominent faces were artists Willy Chirino and Emilio Estefan, who share a close friendship with León and maintain strong ties with FIU.
The president of FIU, Kenneth A. Jessell, expressed his gratitude to León for the largest contribution to CasaCuba to date, acknowledging its significance within the Cuban-American community.
"We are honored that Benjamín is sharing this ambitious project that will help preserve Cuban culture, and specifically the contributions of Cuban Americans, for future generations," said Jessell.
Benjamín León Jr. arrived in Miami following the rise of the Castros to power in Cuba. He was only 16 years old at the time, and today he is a well-known doctor and businessman in the United States. He expressed his excitement about preserving the history of exiles in Florida.
The future building is valued at 40 million dollars. It will be established as a center for cultural and educational expression, promoting the exchange of ideas and knowledge about the Cuban impact on the southern state.
It will consist of a 43,000 square foot space equipped with cutting-edge technology, housing exhibitions, classrooms, and other academic resources, with the opening scheduled for 2027.
Lydia Betancourt Space, the executive director of CasaCuba, highlighted Mr. León's vision and the importance of supporting the mission of this institution as an emotional refuge for those who have experienced exile.
Benjamín León, whose voice has echoed in the exile community since the 1960s, has also significantly supported other institutions in the fields of health and education in Miami.
Mario Murgado, president of the CasaCuba Advisory Board, emphasized the building as a symbol of gratitude towards the United States and an inspiration for the Cuban community and its future.
Another Cuban-American family that made a significant contribution to the CasaCuba project is that of Jorge Mas, one of the most prominent business leaders in the United States, who left a donation of 5 million dollars in 2021.
The Knight Foundation also awarded a two-million-dollar grant for this important cultural project in Miami.
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