Lucio P. Fernandez is a Cuban-American politician and entertainer, who works as the Commissioner of Public Affairs in Union City, New Jersey,[1] where he serves under Mayor Brian P. Stack.

He is also an artist, author, singer, actor, dancer, playwright, screenwriter, producer and film director who has been credited with being instrumental in reviving the arts in Union City.

[4]When Herminia was forced to leave the country for political reasons, the family lived in Spain for one year before emigrating to the United States[2] in the 1970s, when Fernandez was a child.

After attending Union Hill High School, he studied at Rutgers University/Newark Campus, initially double majoring in engineering and business.

[3] After graduating Fernandez began auditioning, sending out hundreds of photos and résumés every week, while simultaneously taking classes for singing, acting and dancing.

From 1985 to 1997,[3][6] he toured nationally and internationally with productions of shows such as West Side Story, Jesus Christ Superstar, A Chorus Line[5] and Guys and Dolls, working alongside performers such as Marc Anthony, Shirley MacLaine and Gene Kelly, and with directors and choreographers such as Jerome Robbins, Jerry Zaks, Michael Peters.

[8] In September 2000 Fernandez and his wife, Megan, founded the non-profit Grace Theatre Workshop, which provides free lessons in various fields of the arts to children.

It was named after its first home, Union City's Grace Episcopal Church's auditorium, where it began with seven students, but as of 2007 it is run out of Jose Marti Freshman Academy, where it serves approximately 120 children.

In 2003 CuJazz released the independent album, Volver A Ti, which features eight tracks of covers and originals, including "Besame Mucho" and "Nuestro Olvido", for which Fernandez's vocals were praised by The Hudson Reporter.

[12] In 2008 Fernandez produced an autobiographical stand-up comedy concert, The Cuban Kid, which focuses on his experiences as a native of Cuba growing up in New Jersey and dividing his time as a performer and an elected official.

It stars local artists, and utilizes Union City landmarks almost exclusively as shooting locations, such as St. John's Episcopal Church, and Hackensack Reservoir No.

His co-star, Ruth Kavanagh, played a multi-faceted, ghost-like "perfect woman" who volunteers to help him kill himself, despite his persistent failed attempts to do so.

[23] On May 19, 2018, Fernandez was one of three media figures inducted into Union City's Celia Cruz Park Walk of Fame, along with actor Eduardo Antonio, and Latin Grammy winner Amaury Gutierrez.

[24] In the 1990s, while Fernandez was offering free performance classes for neighborhood children, he became friends with local civic leader Brian P. Stack.

[12] In late January 2004 Fernandez was named a commissioner of the Union City Housing Authority, a job he says he took because it would allow him to liaise with seniors and veterans, and address their needs.

[26] That same year Fernandez was involved in the creation of the Union City Plaza of the Arts on Bergenline Avenue between 30th and 31st Streets, which opened in December 2010 as a venue for artists to congregate and showcase their work.