Kered Clement, a creative and storyteller, shares her journey of moving from the UK to Grenada 10 years ago. She highlights the importance of preparation, cultural immersion, and building a strong community network to transition to life in the Caribbean. If you've ever though about moving back home, this episode is for you! ~~Connect on Socials~~ Instagram ♡ Follow Keyanna: https://www.instagram.com/keybees/ Follow Kered: https://www.instagram.com/keredclement/ Follow In We Blood: https://www.in...
Aug 05, 2024•41 min
Keya, the Director of Disability Justice from CNIB foundation, shares her experience of playing mas in Trinidad as someone with low-vision, why its necessary to make Caribbean culture more accessible, and shifting attitudes towards people with blindness. ~~Connect ~~ CNIB: https://www.cnib.ca/ Instagram ♡ Follow Keyanna: https://www.instagram.com/keybees/ Follow In We Blood: https://www.instagram.com/inweblood_/ Tiktok ☆ In We Blood: https://www.tiktok.com/@inweblood...
Jul 27, 2024•37 min
Tiana, owner of Aunty T's Kitchen, visits schools in the Peel region teaching students about Caribbean cuisine through her hands-on cooking classes. She discusses how her classes have helped children build confidence in the kitchen and develop an appreciation for Caribbean cooking, often inspiring them to help with cooking more often at home. She also shares tips on how to encourage picky eaters to become more open to trying traditional foods.
Jul 21, 2024•48 min
Michael Lee Poy, founder of Moko Jumbie Mas Camp, shares the African roots of Moko Jumbie, its spiritual significance during life transitions, and cultural significance in the Caribbean. He's hosted Moko Jumbie workshops across North America and Trinidad, empowering participants, especially children, to connect deeper with their culture through practicing the Moko Jumbie art form—from learning how to walk on stilts, to costume making. As a post-secondary instructor, he also shares his plans to i...
Jul 14, 2024•42 min
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...
Apr 27, 2024•52 min
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: https://www.inst...
Apr 21, 2024•39 min
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: https://www.pure...
Apr 14, 2024•46 min
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 Keyanna: http...
Apr 07, 2024•56 min
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: https://www.instagram.com/new...
Mar 31, 2024•44 min
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: https://www.instagr...
Mar 24, 2024•38 min
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...
Mar 17, 2024•46 min
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: https://www.inst...
Mar 10, 2024•29 min
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: https://www.inst...
Mar 03, 2024•51 min
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 DJ, ...
Feb 25, 2024•47 min
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 ♡ Follow K...
Feb 18, 2024•51 min
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/ Follow In We B...
Feb 11, 2024•43 min
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: https://www.instagram.com/keybe...
Feb 04, 2024•46 min
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' to pat...
Jan 28, 2024•51 min
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 her st...
Jan 21, 2024•53 min
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 of hi...
Jan 14, 2024•55 min
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 behi...
Jan 07, 2024•1 hr 2 min
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 island'...
Dec 31, 2023•50 min
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: https://ww...
Dec 24, 2023•45 min
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 favor of ...
Dec 17, 2023•1 hr 1 min
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 out! Joi...
Dec 10, 2023•49 min
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 record ...
Dec 04, 2023•33 min
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: https://www.instagram.com/k...
Nov 26, 2023•1 hr 9 min
DJ BuzzB, the international soca DJ and CEO of Tsunami, the wet fete that's been making waves since 2021, shares how upcoming DJs can build their brand and buzz through social media, networking, and grit. He reveals behind the scenes of running Tsunami, giving a glimpse into what it truly takes to manage an event of this scale – both the highs and lows – and shares his vision for the future of the festival. Enjoying this podcast? Make sure to Subscribe on YouTube. ~~Connect on Socials~~ Instagra...
Nov 12, 2023•1 hr 7 min
In this episode, Jael Joseph, an award-winning film-maker, media personality and entrepreneur, discusses all things Dominica-- the small island that's making big waves. She shares lessons on Creole, bouyon music, the Kalinago people (the island's indigenous people), and her thoughts on why Caribbean culture actually isn't more vulgar now, than decades ago. Enjoying this podcast? Make sure to Subscribe on YouTube. ~~Connect on Socials~~ Instagram ♡ Follow Keyanna: https://www.instagram.com/keybee...
Nov 05, 2023•1 hr 2 min
In this episode, Carnival Bae, an international carnival model and ambassador shares her experiences with international carnivals from Miami, Jamaica, Trinidad, Cropover (Barbados), and Toronto Carnival. She shares the cost of attending international carnivals, her thoughts on why a diverse representation of carnival models matters, how to get in as a carnival model, her surprisingly emotional experience at Trinidad Carnival, and more. Enjoying this podcast? Make sure to Subscribe on YouTube. ~~...
Oct 29, 2023•46 min
