FOUNDERS
suOm Uheri Francis
suOm’s approach is culturally informed, adapting to the needs and opportunities of each target audience. She believes that Miamibloco is an effective tool for tuning into our state of play, which in turn serves to:
Break down socio-economic barriers
Strengthen and connections to Miami
Foster communities of care
Cultivate active citizenship
Enable non-verbal connections
Combat loneliness
Build trust and resilience networks
Enhance sensory awareness and wonder
Create mobile community hubs that bridge diverse economic groups
SuOm’s work, along Brian’s musical expertise and pedagogy are a testament to the power of art and community in building resilience through joy and connection.
Beyond her role at Miamibloco, SuOm has been an active member of the RAIZAL social justice movement since 2007, advocating for the cultural and ancestral knowledge reclamation of Caribbean peoples impacted by colonization. Her work within the Afro-Caribbean diasporas deeply informs Miamibloco’s commitment to equity and inclusion, ensuring that our programming honors and uplifts historically marginalized communities. Through her leadership, Miamibloco actively integrates diverse cultural narratives, fosters intergenerational learning, and creates space for underrepresented voices in the arts.
SuOm is a dynamic urban planner, and artist with a background in philanthropy, and “art & ecology”. As co-founder and Chief Operating Officer of Miamibloco, she channels her passion into creating inclusive, vibrant communities through the power of percussion.
Inspired by her mentor, Dr. Teresa Cordova, and her mother’s social activism in Colombia, SuOm integrates cultural and social dimensions into Miamibloco's mission, fostering healthy, engaged, and joyful communities through collective music-making.
At Miamibloco, SuOm leads efforts to cultivate a sense of belonging and pride in Miami, using Brazilian and Afrodiasporic percussion to connect people across generations and communities. Alongside her work at Miamibloco, she is an urban designer and has made significant contributions to bike and pedestrian infrastructure locally and nationally. She is also the writer and designer of the Miami Beach Street Design Guide and contributed extensively to multiple bicycle-pedestrian masterplans.
Dr. Brian Potts is a versatile performer and educator who seeks to connect the two cities he calls home, Miami and Rio de Janeiro. He studied classical percussion under Dr. Ney Rosauro at the University of Miami, and there became enamored with teaching and Brazilian music.
In Rio de Janeiro he plays alongside some of the city’s top percussionists in PRD Mais, an offshoot of Bernardo Aguiar and Gabriel Policarpo's project, Pandeiro Repique Duo. This group is signed to Michael League’s label, GroundUP Music, has released two albums, and opened for Snarky Puppy on their latest South American tour. He also plays and records with Nu Deco Ensemble, Rose Max & Ramatis Moraes, Gafieira Rio Miami, Anemoia, Suénalo, Samabaia, and many other original projects in Miami.
His main instrument is the pandeiro, and after writing a doctoral dissertation on Marcos Suzano he combined with Bernardo Aguiar to create the Pandeiro Moderno method. In addition to his performance career, Brian also teaches at Barry University as well as both online and in-person individual lessons.
In Miamibloco, he serves as musical director and Mestre/ director of Bateria Saideira, the community-made performance ensemble of Miamibloco. He is also the lead instructor and for the music programs.