Denise, the founder and creative director of Made Neo, a sustainable fashion brand, points out how fast fashion culture is impacting carnival, highlighting the importance thinking about sustainability from production to the parade itself. ~~Connect on Socials~~ Instagram ♡ Follow Keyanna: https://www.instagram.com/keybees/ Follow Denise: https://www.instagram.com/made.neo/ Follow In We Blood: https://www.instagram.com/inweblood_/ Tiktok ☆ In We Blood:  https://www.tiktok.com/@inweblood

Mr. Ron Dukes, co-founder of Jouvert in June, shares how they went from 250 attendees and struggling to cover the expenses of the event to almost 5000 attendees and becoming one of the most anticipated fetes of the year... and building on the jouvert brand with Jouvert in August, and a free jouvert playday for kids. ~~Connect on Socials~~ Instagram ♡ Follow Keyanna: https://www.instagram.com/keybees/ Follow Mr. Ron Dukes: https://www.instagram.com/mrrondukes/ Follow In We Blood:...

Sekou Stroude, Grenada Tourism Authority's Sales and Marketing Director in Canada, shares the various ways travelers can experience the island. From simple stays and volunteer experiences with locals to luxury experiences, there's something for everyone on the island. Whether Grenada has been on your bucket list for a while or you simply want to learn more about it, this episode is a must-listen to discover the many ways to experience the Spice Isle. For more information, visit:...

Yolanda T. Marshall, a traditionally published author who writes children's stories representing the African and Caribbean diaspora including C is for Carnival and one of CBC’s best Canadian picture books of 2020 and TD’s Top Recommended Reads for 2023 – My Soca Birthday Party: with Jollof Rice and Steel Pans. In this episode we discuss the importance of representation in children's literature and having our stories traditionally published. ~~Connect on Socials~~ Instagram ♡ Follow...

Aldene, a member of New Dimension Steel Orchestra in Toronto, who's played pan since she was 8 years old discusses the intricacies of the steelpan music, and the culture behind it. If you've ever wanted to learn more about the nuances of pan, and the people who play it, this episode is for you.   ~~Connect on Socials~~ Instagram ♡ Follow Keyanna: https://www.instagram.com/keybees/ Follow Aldene: https://www.instagram.com/aldene.h/ Follow New Dimension Steel Orchestra:...

Rory, Sales & Operations Director of Playmas, a platform that has helped Carnival bands in 12 countries around the world process over 55,000 costume payments, shares how they help band leaders manage, and protect their band through their e-commerce platform and services that cover the full lifecycle of mas to support 'from first click to last wine.' Book a demo w/ my referral code here: https://pages.playmas.app/inweblood ~~Connect on Socials~~ Instagram ♡ Follow Keyanna:...

In this episode we discuss the South-East Asian heritage of the Indo-Caribbean community, exploring their cultural identity and addressing the issue of anti-black racism that persists within the community. ~~Connect on Socials~~ Instagram ♡ Follow Keyanna: https://www.instagram.com/keybees/ Follow Brown Gyal Diary: https://www.instagram.com/browngyaldiary/ Follow In We Blood: https://www.instagram.com/inweblood_/ Tiktok ☆ In We Blood:  https://www.tiktok.com/@inweblood

Breanna Chanelle, a seasoned psychotherapist with a focus on the black Caribbean community and social worker whose work focuses on advocating for black youth and families facing systemic racism, discusses mental health, aversions to therapy, and shaming in the Caribbean community. In this episode we discuss the lack of language around mental health conversations in the community, and how to find a therapist that’s right for you. ~~Connect on Socials~~ Instagram ♡ Follow Keyanna:...

Michelle Lochan, the General Manager of the Building Black Entrepreneurs Program (BBEP), a free 9-month program offered online in partnership with George Brown College to empower Black and Caribbean entrepreneurs and upcoming entrepreneurs. One of their main goal's is teach the business and innovation skills to help mas businesses move from seasonal festivals to year-round success. ~~Connect on Socials~~ Instagram ♡ Follow Keyanna: https://www.instagram.com/keybees/ Follow BBEP:...

Steph Honey, a Toronto DJ whose opened for Patrice Roberts multiple times, and has worked alongside well-known soca DJ, Dr. Jay, shares how she got started in the industry and scaled up her DJ'ing side hustle to replace her full time income in under a year. She gives survival tips for upcoming DJ's– including how to determine your price– and stresses the importance of building your personal brand, live streaming, and building genuine relationships with other DJ's. If you're an upcoming soca...

Chef Kareema, a personal chef and caterer specializing in gourmet Caribbean fusion cuisine, shares her journey from helping her mom cook since childhood to becoming a highly sought-after chef, featured on Cityline as an expert, and earning a six-figure income from her passion for cooking Caribbean fusion food. In this episode, we delve into how she began her career, her specialties, and valuable insights for upcoming entrepreneurs in the food industry.   ~~Connect on Socials~~ Instagram...

Donisha Prendergast, speaker, activist, filmmaker, and the eldest grandaughter of Bob and Rita Marley shares knowledge on Rastafari, her grandfather, and building community. In this episode we explore Rastafari and it's power and global impact. Thank you to The Don Arts Academy, our location sponsor for this episode. https://donondanforth.com/ ~~Connect on Socials~~ Instagram ♡ Follow Keyanna: https://www.instagram.com/keybees/ Follow Donisha: https://www.instagram.com/iamdonisha/...

Chelsea Naomi, Founder & CEO of Sunday Lunch catering shares her culinary journey of documenting, preserving, and creating traditional Trinidadian cuisine, and using it as a means to build community. Our food runs deep, and so much of it is about coming together. Whether you’re a seasoned Caribbean foodie, and could rell cook, or if you’re new to the world of cooking Caribbean cuisine, this episode is for you. ~~Connect on Socials~~ Instagram ♡ Follow Keyanna:...

Siamoy Stewart, a master's student of Tourism at the University of Guelph, dives into her studies on how the Jamaica Tourism Board can market the island to Gen Z travelers using TikTok. Despite having less money than baby boomers, Gen Z's are currently the largest travel demographic. She also shares the challenges of studying abroad in Canada as someone from the Caribbean, gives tips for those planning to study abroad, her experience growing up and how she went from being 'foreign-minded'...

Jade Nixon, a Ph.D. candidate at the Women & Gender Studies Institute at the University of Toronto, noticed a gap in academia. While there's a lot of research on black women, there isn't much that focuses on Caribbean women or those with Caribbean heritage. In her work she engages with Black women of Caribbean heritage, exploring their theories of gathering together with one another and with waters, particularly aboard Uber Soca Cruise while sailing the Atlantic Ocean. Participants in...

Hayden 'Pumpkin' Joseph, band leader of Lavway Mas, formerly known as Venom Carnival shares insights into his transition from section leader to band leader in Toronto Carnival, desigining for King and Queen in Trinidad, and how making mas is something that comes from the heart. He highlights the major differences between carnival processions and internal interactions in Trinidad vs Toronto, the impact children have on mas and keeping the spirit of carnival alive, and the rebirth and future...

Carnival veteran Nicholas, who has been participating in big mas since childhood, winning multiple titles and now leading his own section with Saldenah, discusses Toronto Carnival's challenges, controversies, and his hopes for the future. He shares concerns over prizes for big mas competitions, which don't cover the cost of creation, despite inflation and rising ticket prices for the stadium, prize money hasn't increased. Nicholas also points out the feeling of being undervalued among those...

Jerawl, a passionate portrait photographer with a focus on capturing black stories, particularly those rooted in Grenadian life and culture, uses photography to document the island and its people in a raw and authentic way, to showcase the beauty of the island to the world.  His recent project, "Dipped in Oil," pays homage to his life-changing experience of participating in Spicemas Jouvert, a deeply spiritual and renewing experience that led him to further explore, honor and document the...

Khadejah Chrysostom, CEO of Freshmen clothing and Founder of Global Fund for Children, an international youth empowerment initiative, shares the reason for starting her non-profit work, particularly in the Caribbean. In this episode we explore Khadejah's compelling story of turning personal loss into a global force for positive change-- pain to power, and the capacity that each one of us has to make a positive impact on our community. ~~Connect on Socials~~ Instagram ♡ Follow Keyanna:...

Louis Saldenah, a Toronto Carnival veteran and band leader of Saldenah Carnival, which holds 21 Band of the Year titles and 13 second-place titles, reflects on 80 years of Saldenah. From growing up in the mas camp under his father to passing down the tradition of mas to his children and their children, Louis shares insights into the costs of running a band, what's led to his success, and his vision for the future of mas. He advocates for a return to pageantry, the removal of bikinis in...

Jesse Ryan, grandson of calypsonian the Mighty Bomber, and the visionary behind the Kaiso Street Society, an organization dedicated to researching, documenting and reigniting an appreciation for authentic calypso discusses how calypso is a form of music for social change and protest.  He emphasizes that calypso is deeply entwined into black history, and at one point was thought to eventually become bigger than rock and roll in the United States.  This episode is full of insights. Check it...

Swipe, one of the two people behind Impulse Production, the duo that produced hits like Chopping the Line, Ah Doh Have, and more, talks about creating music for the culture– from the creative process to the business side of the game, and how combining elements from trap music and jab riddim gave them that unique sound that they call 'Jab-trap'. He also shares his his vision for the future of the music industry, ushering it into a more positive, uplifting, and spiritual era with their new...

Ian Charles, of Jambalasee Grenada, an organization that's dedicated to documenting & preserving Grenada’s traditional Jab culture and its sounds, shares all about real jab jab from its origins to traditions and practices. He clears up misunderstandings around Jab Jab, including those that attempt to demonize the jab, and shares why it's critical to have mass understanding of true Jab Jab culture to keep it alive. ~~Connect on Socials~~ Instagram ♡ Follow Keyanna:...

Steph Honey, a Toronto DJ whose opened for Patrice Roberts multiple times, and is under the wing of well-known soca DJ, Dr. Jay, shares how she got started in the industry and scaled up her DJ'ing side hustle to replace her full time income in under a year. She gives survival tips for upcoming DJ's– including how to determine your price– and stresses the importance of building your personal brand, live streaming, and building genuine relationships with other DJ's. If you're an upcoming...