Top 100 Black Women In Canada - 2020

"2020, the year we celebrate our possibilities" - Rose Handy (Founder of CIBWE)

I could not have agreed more with the quote above. This year has revealed to us so much about ourselves and the world. We have been challenged, we’ve grieved, we’ve persevered, we’ve learned and still we rise. It is important through it all to celebrate ourselves, give ourselves grace, and remain open to the endless possibilities that life has to offer. It is further more rewarding when others recognize our efforts, growth and impact of our work too.

Last month I was notified that I was selected as Canada’s 100 Black Women to Watch in 2020 by CIBWE - What an honour! My heart is full and I am motivated to keep going!!! Although it has been a tough year for me both personally and professionally, I will continue to do my part in helping women unlock joy while building confidence through dance, fitness and culture.... even if it takes a thousand more zoom meetings!!

The Canada International Black Women Event (CIBWE) sets out to symbolize the boundless legacy black of women who are building in Canada and beyond through their achievements, leadership and successes.

CIBWE has a clear goal to:

• Offer a unique platform where black women from different walks of life can meet to share, network, learn and celebrate

• Offer an atmosphere to explore possibilities and connections

• Offer an opportunity to share knowledge, experience and network.

• Showcase success stories of accomplished Black women

• Raise funds in support of scholarship program for young girls and young mothers in Makak, Cameroon

The 100 Black Pearls Gala 2020

On Saturday, October 17th CIBWE hosted a virtual gala where all 100 ladies, friends, family and supporters had an opportunity to come together and celebrate this momentous occasion. Here is a video of the speech I submitted for the event. Organizers pushed though technical difficulties and welcomed an inspirational keynote by Brampton councillor Charmaine Williams.

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When You See It, You Can Be It!

Black women continue to blaze the trail in a variety of professions, roles and circles. Not only am I inspired by the exceptional leadership and talent and that Black Women display but I am sure the future generation of women will be too.

I would like you to meet four ladies who were also featured in this year’s CIBWE ceremony. Two I know personally and two I share community with by the powers of social media. Each are from different industries and backgrounds but what they all have in common is the amazing work they are doing in their respective fields. Know them - Support them - Amplify them!

Agapi Gessesse

ETHIOPIAN

www.agapigessesse.com
@gapsrandom

Being a part of the Top 100 Black women to watch in 2020 seems unexpected. I believe that I am called to do the work that I do and I do it with pleasure so being recognized for the work that I do has truly been an honour.

I am currently the Executive Director for “CEE” - the Centre For Young Black Professionals, a charity organization with a vision to create an economy where Black youth can become financially prosperous, live high-quality lives and can contribute to the advancement of Canada. We do this through three distinct approaches: Trauma informed approach, Culturally relevant approach and Person centred approach.

When I was young girl I always thought that helping people was not going to make me any money and that I would not be able to ever make a career out of it. However, so what I would tell a teenage girl who wants to work in my industry is: that whatever you are passionate about doing and brings you joy can transform into a career.

Samantha Peters

GRENADIAN - TRINIDADIAN

Samantha Peters (LinkedIn)
@SamPetersTO

I am incredibly grateful and honoured to have been recognized as one of the Top 100 Black Women to Watch in Canada for 2020. I am especially grateful because all too often, Black women and femme's labour are undervalued, exploited, co-opted and erased. As such, witnessing so many Black women being recognized has been inspiring. It is my hope that we continue seeing more diverse Black women being celebrated for all that they do.

I am a lawyer, writer, researcher and educator, with a focus on labour, employment and human rights law. I often work at the intersection of law, education and policy, ranging from law reform initiatives to legal education to legislative research. Currently, I am the University of Ottawa Faculty of Law's first ever Black Legal Mentor-in-Residence where I provide one-on-one and group academic and career mentorship to Black law students, as well as expertise in the development of supportive programming and anti-racism initiatives at the Faculty of Law.

My private practice centres Black (queer) women, femmes, non-binary folks, gender non-conforming folks, trans women and survivors of gender-based and sexualized violence. I offer a wide range of support, including supports that operate outside of legal systems and frameworks, for Black survivors in their respective workplaces. As an educator, researcher and writer, I also offer legal education, legal information, and advocate on their behalf in various capacities as a means to inform institutional, policy and systemic change as well as workplace culture shifts. As J Mase III so eloquently states, "there is no Black liberation without Black women & femmes".

The advice that I would offer to a young Black person who aspires to work in the legal industry is: stay grounded and stay connected to your communities. There is a lot of pressure in law school, the legal community and the legal profession at large to conform. And for me at least, supporting my communities and working alongside them in the ways that I can, has nourished me in profound ways and has kept me grounded. Being connected to my communities is the reason why I remain committed to carving out space in the legal profession for Black femmes like myself who are practicing law in innovative ways.

Long story short: Dare to do law differently.

Samantha Photo Credit: Charu Sharma (https://www.charusharma.ca)

Ajoa Ayeko

GHANAIAN - Akuapem-Guan

ajoa.ayeko@gmail.com
Biz:@black.queens.of.toronto

It feels very affirming to to be one of the Top 100 Black Women To Watch In Canada for 2020! It is an honour to be recognized for my service in Gender Advocacy, Community Engagement, and Social Entrepreneurship.  

I am the Founder of BLACK QUEENS OF TORONTO, which is a Toronto-based global network of Black Women. My personal mission is to curate an inclusive platform of empowerment and advocacy - reclaiming narratives and creating opportunities for partnership. BLACK QUEENS OF TORONTO provides me with the platform to support that mission by creating a space where Sisters lead, learn, share and grow in both personal and professional capacities. 

My advice to a teenage girl who aspires to work in Gender Advocacy is: find well-grounded female role models to be mentored by, and to create your own tribe of loved ones who support your aspirations and provide a safe space for you to grow with grace.

Karlena Waugh

JAMAICAN-CANADIAN

Biz: events.thebizmixer.com
Biz:@thebizmixer

I am truly honoured to have been nominated and selected as one of the recipients of this award. It felt like it was a win for my community and those who have helped me along the way. After doubling down and working super hard for the last few years, it is motivating to be recognized, especially by women who are trailblazing this path, and who look like me.

My business is dedicated to helping organizations, small businesses and professionals engage with their audiences through live events. Whether that is a fundraiser event, an intimate conversation, a celebration, or a networking opportunity, I have had the honour to work with some amazing organizations making impact in their own communities. I've spent over 10 years working within the community-building space and it is a value that I truly believe in as a personal value and one that can be incorporated into business. Learn more about Minik Creations here. Through my expertise in my event planning business I have also been able to create a community myself, The Biz Mixer, that focuses on creating a space for creatives and entrepreneurs to connect, learn and grow with one another, promoting resource-sharing, collaboration and peer-learning. These are all values that I encourage my clients to do as well, and I actively facilitate them building relationships that will positively impact their initiatives. True relationship building is such a game-changer.

What advice would I give to a teenage girl who aspires to work in my industry? Make friends - and by friends I mean build relationships with talented individuals you can work with. Think about the people will consistently work with on every project ie. creative team (photo, video, audio), entertainment, decor and set design etc. Start engaging with those communities, find people that you connect with and create your own circle of influence. The stronger your circle the more successful you will be.

Shakera Martin

JAMAICAN-CANADIAN

Shakera Martin (LinkedIn)
Biz: www.carnivalspice.com
Biz:@carnivalspice

Thank you to the #CIBWE for building a beautiful platform to celebrate the work of such amazing women. I am honoured to be recognized as one of the Top 100 Black Women To Watch In Canada for 2020. This year has been tough for me both personally and professionally. Still I remain committed to the work that I do and continue to move forward with a heart of gratitude - moments like this remind me why. I dedicate this honour to my fellow arts and fitness leaders who have watched our industry suffered so much loss these past few months.

It want the Black community to thrive in all areas of life and I believe we all play a role in making this happen by utilizing our strengths and supporting one another. After following my vision, I started a business that encompassed my passion for dance, fitness and culture. In 2013, Carnival Spice was found and it provides fitness and entertainment with a Caribbean Carnival twist.

My mission for the company was to showcase Caribbean Carnival, its culture, and its performing artists. Our team is made up of aspiring dance artists who receive performance training, mentorship, and access to paid work opportunities. The platform has since grown to include yearly dance fitness programming and feature our global #SpiceFam community. Carnival Spice has brought positive exposure to Caribbean talent, customs, and culture. The company’s client list includes Toronto Public Library, Deadmau5, PWC, TTC as well as many other community and corporate organizations. We have also been featured on Cityline, CP24, CTV, Breakfast Television, and most recently on Season 12 of the Real Housewives of Atlanta episode 9: “A Whine of a Time”. Our masquerade presentations are such a refreshing approach to Caribbean Carnival entertainment. The experiences offer elements of education, fun and are appropriate for audiences of all ages. Many also appreciate the positive representation and connection to Caribbean culture that our programs and events create.

If I had to give advice to a teenage girl who aspires to work in the arts or entertainment industry, it would be this: Dear teenage girl, your talent is valued, you are beautiful and your ideas are valid. You have all the tools inside of you to achieve everything your heart desires. Success will require you to study your craft; train, read, and research! But most importantly, stay committed to the process. There will be a lot of “ NOs” and bumps along the way, but where you start is not where you will finish.

Adele: Cultural Appropriation or Cultural Appreciation?

Let’s Talk

Adele: Cultural Appropriation or Cultural Appreciation?

A few days ago, British music star Adele broke the internet when she posted the photo below on instagram.

With her post came the caption:

“Happy what would be Notting Hill Carnival my beloved London”.

The post instantly went viral with some cheering her on, some calling her a culture vulture, some thinking she was Katy Perry and others wowed by her new transformation. I realized how large of a story this was when the most recent @carnivalspice tik tok videos started trending on the app! There was a surge in understanding Caribbean Carnival culture, Jamaican culture and Black Culture. A few media outlets also reached out to me for my thoughts on the topic so I’ve summarized below:

Is Adele’s post cultural appropriation or cultural appreciation?

2020 has been a devastating year for the carnival community with most of the festivities being cancelled due to covid restrictions. Millions participate in carnival annually across the world and the culture welcomes all ethnicities, body types and genders to participate. When I first saw Adele’s post I immediately had it shared to the @carnivalspice instagram account. I was excited to see such a high profile artist showing love to a Caribbean Carnival. My excitement was less about her skin colour and more about the size of her platform. With one post she had the world talking about Caribbean Carnival. Ideally I would have loved for her to be in full carnival costume or wear pieces that were more cohesive. If she did that, the intention of her post would have been a lot stronger.

The answer to this question is subjective though. I do understand some of the outrage  - especially with the climate of the world right now. Black people are oh so familiar with other racial groups being praised for things we have been doing for years… from fashion, to dance, to food and beyond. Carnival however is a space where I believe all should have the opportunity to revel in the energy that each masquerader contributes. Carnival is freedom, expression and unity. I do not think we uphold that mission if we exclude participation for white people. 

photo by: Samantha Clarke

But what about the Bantu knots??????

Black hair styles were created with Black hair texture in mind. Our hair requires different techniques to manage the thickness, richness, porosity etc and we do so in such creative ways. I personally do not have a problem with how anyone chooses to wear their hair. However, my issue is how society stigmatizes black hairstyles. When a black person wears their hair in bantu knots, braids, cornrows it’s deemed “unprofessional” “bad” “unkept” but when a white person wears the same style it’s a “trendy”, “cool” and accepted. Society is the problem not Adele. We all need to grow and get to a place where Bantu knots is considered just as “normal” as a ponytail. 

For centuries, Black people have had to navigate their hair in a world where Eurocentric standards is what is used to define beauty. From micro aggressions to painful perms and hot combs, the journey has been tough understanding our hair’s specific needs. Still we would not change a thing because our hair is an extension of our spirit. It allows us to display our style and individualism. Plus our hair provides the option to be as creative as we want to be.

I recently did a “big chop” - this is when a Black woman cuts off all their hair, which may have been chemically processed with perm or dye, so they can wear it in a more natural state. Click here to watch the cut live. This cut was one of the most invigorating moments of my life. Although I love my hair both long and short, the big chop helped me to release thirty plus years of history and energy and has granted me the opportunity to start a whole new journey. All of that to say, hair should be a form of self-expression.

With all that said what are your thoughts on the matter? Do you think she culturally appropriated or showing love to the carnival and the bawdies that have influenced her over the years? Do you even care? I understand if you feel that way too - there is so much happening in the world. Although I must say it’s great having Caribbean Carnival as a topic of discussion amongst the world.

Caribana Without The Parade

Caribana Without The Parade

Toronto Carnival 2020 Recap

Happy Toronto Carnival Weekend Everyone!

Wow - for the first time in YEARS we had no parade because of lockdown restrictions due to COVID-19. When this decision was announced in March I did not know how to feel. Disbelief was the most prevalent emotion.

Here’s the thing, Caribana without the parade is my pretty much my life. The work I do with Carnival Spice calls for me to be immersed in Caribbean Carnival 365 days a year so I did not think the cancellation would effect me greatly as it did. Kudos to all the promoters who offered alternatives to fill the void… I saw a Zoombana, Quaranbana and festival organizers even hosted a Virtual Road. I know this sounds terrible, but I chose to take a nice long nap on August 1st. I was completely overwhelmed with emotions and could not bring myself to do anything else. I did have a glass of wine and played some Voice to sooth my soul (add the song ”By Any Means” to your playlist). Although logistically, the parade itself can use a LOT of work, those who self identify as Caribbean or those who annually play mas feel a massive sense of pride in anticipation of this weekend. From revelling in the streets... to getting your hair/nails/lashes done and seeing your completed look carnival morning... to running into celebrities/friends/coworkers/exes etc on the road… to hearing YOUR SONG for the first time behind a big truck and going OFF… my song would have been anything on the “Yuh Bad” or “Caution” Riddim! The level of excitement is unmatched; arguably comparable to your wedding day or christmas morning…sigh..

To be clear though, the anticipation for Caribana weekend goes far beyond the fetes, costume pick up and walmart selling Caribbean based products at the front of the store. IT’S A CELEBRATION OF CULTURE, FREEDOM, UNITY, BLACKNESS, TOGETHERNESS, SOCA, FAMILY, FRIENDS, BODY-POSITIVITY, DANCEHALL, MAS, CHUTNEY, WELLNESS, LOVE, THE CARIBBEAN.

We Can’t Get Enough.

Even if you don’t play mas, it’s a weekend to just be proud and cultivate joy.  Most have celebrated this period from the were toddlers and hope to pass the traditions on to their children. 

Caribbean heritage and history is also deeply connected to the participation in Caribana weekend. The parade was gifted to Canada from Trinidad in 1967 and has grown to be one of the largest festivals in North America. The date of the festival also coincides with the the emancipation of enslaved people from Africa.

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Since I cannot share photos of myself taking a nap. Here are 5 Toronto Carnival Experiences I would like to highlight:

1995

Little Miss Shakera, always dancing… even at this age. My mom’s workplace at the time was a sponsor for the “Kiddies Carnival” (now called Junior Carnival) that took place in Little Jamaica on Eglinton West. The good ole days!

We were offered costumes the morning of but my mom had already picked out my outfit that’s why it does not match the costume! LOLOL… I remember this day like it was yesterday. I danced my little heart out.

Watch the pose; you could tell I meant business… was even featured on CITY PULSE… go figure.

2007

This was my first time playing mas as an adult. "Jamaicans don’t play mas” - or so I thought. During university, I met a trini dawlin, named Akeisha, who put me in a costume for the school’s talent show. I was SO shy that I wore the costume with black yoga pants. She then challenged me to play mas in Caribana that year- THE REST IS HISTORY.

I had no idea what I was doing but I still came hard. Matching shoes and bags; The shoes gave crazy blisters because the spray paint made them hard. The fabric on the bag was meant to be sprayed so the paint transferred on my skin! Lol. And are you seeing this eye make up? I believe this eye shadow that I had no idea how to apply cost about $40 and I used it once! The costume was made well though. I still have it and it is in perfect condition. The bra was 3x too big because I was scared of spillage. At the time I was a B cup, lol - the nerve!

2011

Back in these days when you modelled for a Toronto mas band, you could select any costume from the presentation to wear on the road. However, the costume I picked was the one I modelled since I fell in love with it the moment I put it on. It literally set the tone for the rest of this carnival season. This was my favourite Caribana to date. For the road, I even remember the song my section crossed the stage too: “ADVANTAGE” by Machel Montano. The stage was EPIC! Lost my rag, an eyelash and broke my purse. So glad I dismantled my headpiece and transformed it into a backpack for parade day. Everything was perfect and we were on the road for hours. I loved theme of the band too - we were different sea creatures. My section were the mermaids.

What solidified this magical experience happened the following morning. I woke up to the news that my photo was on the cover of the Toronto Star newspaper… and not just any photo... The photographer captured the euphoria I felt - crossing the judging stage!

2012

This pink costume was one of my faves to wear but I did not get many photos in it. I also paired it with nude fishnets before it was a trend in Toronto. Unfortunately this was not a good carnival year for me. I am sharing so you will take caution in the future. Scorching hot temperatures mixed with our band not having enough food and water led to me having extreme hit exhaustion. My symptoms were so bad that I had to leave the route early. Friends, although you have paid for food with your costume, do not rely on your band to feed you. Always have a hearty meal before you leave home. The day can be very unpredicatable and your safety is most important. Set yourself up for success. Ensure you are on top of hydration and vitamins leading up to the parade (and afterward of course.)

2016

This year was super fun. I worked a lot of promo events for the costume and did a lot of press with Carnival Spice. Plus, I had about 30 people from the #SpiceFam playing mas with me. Most were playing for the first time (something I cherish greatly). We were in different sections but arranged for everyone to be in the same band. It was also a year that I wore a wire bra for the first time. The ultimate highlight was two fold - one was performing for Kes the band and two was thiefin’ a wine on Kees on the road (member that Michelle???? Woyyyyy)

BONUS

Some 2020 Highlights:

As I was preparing to publish this blog I found out that Carnival Spice is trending #1 on TIK TOK via the #Caribana hashtag.

Pretty cool

You can also check out an interview I did with Kiss 92.5, Breakfast Television and the Toronto Festival Committee.

Breakfast Television: Moving in the Morning

https://youtu.be/Go7ZpURAiLE

Toronto Carnival Festival Committee

https://youtu.be/l53DvpbDaqw

Kiss 925 Interview

https://www.instagram.com/p/CDMWVwwnd-q/

Matter is the Minimum

Matter is the Minimum

#BLM

““Matter is the minimum. Black lives are worthy. Black lives are beloved. Black lives are needed””

— Jay Urich

If you support the Black lives matter movement then continuous action is required from you. Having a black friend doesn’t make you an ally. Reading one book or taking one anti-black racism course won’t help you unlearn years of problematic behaviour. Posting random Black models on your social media means nothing if you’re not revising your overall business practices. 

Then there were those black squares…

“Let’s not turn Black lives matters into Black lives marketing”

— The Black Enterprise

Tuesday, June 2, 2020, we saw millions of black squares flood our social media timelines as the world rallied together in solidarity against anti-black racism and police brutality. I felt proud and encouraged to see such high engagement on a issue that I feel so strongly about. Plus, Black Out Tuesday has started so much healthy dialogue and has been a catalyst for some of the change we are starting to see now.

However, in addition to the positive shifts, we saw lots of performative activism. 

Here is an example of performative activism that affected me directly:

If you’ve been following me, you know that I have been a Titika Active ambassador for years. Recently I have been partnering with them for a quarantine social media campaign. I am the only Black creator on the team of influencers and although (till this day) one of my video’s has had the highest engagement, my content has only been featured twice.

Moving on, Titika was also one of the many brands that posted a black square on their social feeds… but guess what they did after that to show their support for Black lives? The answer is nothing.

Based on the general tone of their social media and the fact that I was the 1 of 3 Black faces that were seen on their social media since Dec. 2019, I knew I should observe their action after their “stance” on Black Out Tuesday. Since days later they were silent about #BLM I decided to message Titika in their IG comments; the screen shot of my question is below. They responded with the most disappointing response followed by immediately posting an unsolicited photo of my friend Julia to prove they are “making a difference” and amplifying black voices. The nerve. She let them have it though, read entire post: https://www.instagram.com/p/CBJMD-Bhtma/

Only after being publicly called out by Julia I received an email from a Titika representative - acknowledging their response may have been offensive (among other things). I sent them a response on June 9th being very transparent about my experience with the brand and how they could be more inclusive.  I have yet to receive a response… and by the looks of their social media, it doesn’t look I’ll be getting one. They have gone right back to their old behaviour and have yet to acknowledge that they are against anti-black racism, value Black lives, or value their Black team members, clients or staff.

I share this story for a few reasons:

1. To demonstrate the level of bullsh*t Black women have to deal with behind the scenes (all the time).

2. To highlight what performative activism could look like.

3. Because we must hold people accountable. Even if there’s a risk attached - will you lose a job or friend? Maybe? …but at the end of the day, what’s right is right, and what’s wrong is wrong.

4. This generation will not remain silent! We cannot turn a blind eye to bad behaviour. NO MORE!

#BLM is more than a hashtag, it’s a movement. ⁠If we are a society that truly wants change, we must look inward and look at our surroundings to truly identify where to do the work. Take a look at the brands that you support. Celebrities you admire. Stores that you shop at. Your friendship circles. Your family at the dinner table. Are they for or against anti-black racism and police brutality?

…now take a look at yourself. 

How are you contributing to the change you want to see in the world?

How are you making life brighter for the future generation? Will your current actions put you on the right side of history or the problematic side?

Look around you, then look within. How are you showing up right now? How are you contributing to one of the biggest civil rebellions this world has ever seen.

At first, I had a hard time with this, but the framework below helped guide me tremendously.

My role in the rebellion: A CAREGIVER.

I nurture & nourish the people around me by creating & sustaining a community of care, joy & connection. Carnival Spice has allowed me to complete much of this work. Here is how it began.

For over 5 years as a commercial dancer in Toronto, Canada, I was met with many challenges while gigging, teaching & training. For instance, I lost count of the number of audition castings that were looking for "Female 18-24 Caucasian". IF an "Open Ethnicity" came up, there were hundreds of women trying out for the one available spot. I yearned for community. In most cases, I was always the only black girl booked. Cue the microaggressions, folks trying to touch my hair, & the make up artists not having a foundation in my colour. This hurt & I often wondered why the industry was like this - what could I do to help? I loved what I was doing but often could not relate to many people in the room. It was lonely. Eventually I built the courage to create a community of my own. ⁠

@CarnivalSpice was born in 2013. I created the company to showcase Caribbean Carnival, its culture & its performing artists. It has become a platform where aspiring artists of Caribbean descent can further develop their talents, have access to paid work opportunity & gain support from others in the industry. ⁠This type of work is often met with resistance & stereotypes. However, as a collective, we’ve broken so many boundaries & showed up in spaces where “people like us aren’t suppose to be” - reaching thousands over the years through our social media, programming & performances. Education, connection & representation is the ultimate goal. ⁠

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When you see a Black woman start a business, know that it took a lot for her to make that happen. ⁠

We don’t learn our history in schools. We don’t see ourselves represented on television or magazines. We are silenced in the board rooms. ⁠

We are hugely under served in a plethora of markets, rarely credited for brilliant ideas, paid less than our lighter colleagues, misunderstood, ignored & often disrespected. ⁠

STILL WE ARE RESILIENT. We are leaders, innovators, nurturers, advocates for change, critical thinkers, trend setters & so much more. ⁠

Black women are also six times more likely to start a business. We see a need & fill it. We make space that isn’t available to us. We create our own peace & transformative energy. Usually our own cheerleaders, we push ourselves to achieve our dreams… not just because we want to but because we have to. ⁠

It’s been said that if you aren’t offered a seat at the table, then BUILD YOUR OWN TABLE! That’s what I had to do. That’s what we had to do. ⁠

Looking back, when I started my business, I was scared & didn’t know what I was doing. What I did know is that my purpose was bigger than my fear so I had to at least try. ⁠

To my fellow Black female entrepreneurs, I see you, I feel you, I love you. Continue to rise. ⁠

Black Lives Matter

Black Lives Matter

A Revolution Is Happening.

…and I am 100% in support of it. 

If you aren’t prepared to educate yourself, rally or donate… then please move out the way!

Don’t ask your black friend how they are doing. It’s triggering.

I’ll answer on their behalf with this: We are not okay.

THE BLACK COMMUNITY IS TIRED.

Many Traumatized. Many Angry.

On top of the affects of years of racism, we are also navigating through a worldwide pandemic that is disproportionately affecting the black community & health care workers.

Rest In Peace: Arlene Reid, Sharon Roberts, & Leonard Rodrigues

Christine Mandegarian I honour you too!

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“Anti-Black racism only exists in the U.S.” - No I’m not going to break this down for you. This is EXTREMELY FALSE and you know it.

“All Lives Matter“ - of course! HOWEVER, if that’s your response to someone who’s saying BLACK LIVES MATTER then you are missing the point. What you should ask is with black bodies being killed in broad daylight AND on camera, why are their murderers not being brought to justice??

Rest In Peace: George Floyd.

Further, people of colour may experience racism but only black people experience anti-blackness; it is super important that we distinguish the two entities.

This was apparent to me just a few days ago… when I learned the editor in chief of the Toronto Sun, A WOMAN OF COLOUR, approved a front page headline that mocked the death of a young black man that was recently killed by gun violence.. DISGUSTING. Would she approve that story if he was her brother? I think not.

Enough is enough. We need new systems.

What exists isn’t designed for black people to live in peace, or see themselves as beautiful or have access to the same resources as their lighter counterparts.

I pray for my brothers, nephews, cousins… chile even my exes daily because even though we have the same skin color their daily experience is still 10x more challenging then mine! Plus, they aren’t allowed to ask for help, they can’t cry and god forbid they get angry! 

Yes fitness is a great physical outlet, but what accessible and safe outlet do they have for their mind and hearts? 

My heart breaks at the thought. I am hopeful for change though and I can feel the world shifting. 

I also declare today that my future children will live in a world where they are seen as equal.

Till then, no more silence and only action that supports or uplifts my community.

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WATCH THESE:

Tyrone Edwards on The Social

https://www.instagram.com/tv/CAwhcusnL-6

Trevor Noah on The Daily Show

https://www.instagram.com/p/CAyfFnaJbyL/

Celina CC on CBC News

https://www.instagram.com/p/CA2yWQml6EA/

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Support These Organizations:

https://www.instagram.com/notanotherblacklife/

https://www.facebook.com/blacklivesmatterTO/

https://www.instagram.com/mnfreedomfund/

https://www.instagram.com/frontlines.to/

https://www.instagram.com/niacentre/

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Black Business Directories:

Buy Black Now

https://byblacks.com/directory/list-alpha/d

TO Locals

https://docs.google.com/document/d/10l7NItyZUoNroE4iLePGn5GAvSuQ7KW5IK4XmOcDSTI/edit?fbclid=IwAR3SI5wcV2894nVqSKNl6OzMgjVNXozPEXgxrwnknTilIE78FQYFuOei6F0

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Follow these accounts for information:

Kim Katrin

https://www.instagram.com/kimkatrinc

Rachel Cargle

https://www.instagram.com/rachel.cargle

Tamika D. Mallory

https://www.instagram.com/tamikadmallory

Rebeckah Price

https://www.instagram.com/iriseyoga

Director X

https://www.instagram.com/directorx

#blacklivesmatter

#justiceforgeorgefloyd

Herstory In Black - Dance Feature

Herstory In Black

A Dance Feature

This post has been on my spirit for so long.

I couldn’t think of a more perfect time to present it.

…but first, I would like to honour my fellow artists around the globe. You have truly been a source of inspiration, joy, and entertainment during such an unprecedented time. From live concerts, to dance classes, shows on netflix, to incredibly authored books - the world has been reminded of the power of art and the impact it has on all of our lives.

My experience these past few weeks have been challenging but I am grateful for the ability to still create and share my passion for dance, fitness and culture. I know there are many in the dance industry that feel the same way despite cancellations and no person to person contact for the near future.

Would love for you to meet some of these artists. Particularly those from the dance industry… 

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But First:

Back in February of 2017, the amazing women you will meet below and I were featured in a Toronto-based digital photo series called Herstory In Black.  As Canada reached its 150th birthday, 150 black women from across the country who have made a place in Canadian history were honoured. Black doctors, community leaders, artists, architects and so much more could be found among the group. The project was created by visionary Emily Mills and the How She Hustles network.  It grew to a nation wide movement and was featured on CBC.

“Make HERstory in your own way, every day. Own it. Get up when you fall. Forgive yourself. Embrace your mistakes and the lessons that come with them. Share your story. You never know who you will inspire. Know you are worthy. Know you are seen. Know you are valued. Know you ARE making herstory because there is nobody else like you! #hustleon ladies and thank you for being a part of this journey. And to all the women not pictured here, hold your head high. Don't wait for permission to feel proud of who you are and what you do. You don't need a list or a label for that. Stay the course. Keep moving. Keep soaring!”

- Emily Mills (Founder of How She Hustles)

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Meet the ladies:

I would like you to meet the five dance artists who were featured in the series with me. I wanted to shine a light on how they too have transformed their passion for dance into thriving careers.  Learn a bit of their stories and be sure to support their businesses and initiatives. They all are doing wonderful things in the community - ESPECIALLY during this pandemic! They were all asked the same questions - and it’s beautiful to see so many similarities in the journeys we’ve all been through in our careers. My hope is that the future generation of black female artists remain encouraged!

Ayanna Lee Rivears

TRINIDADIAN

ayanna@socacize.com
@ayanna_oonie

Dance has developed my confidence and courage by performing in front of crowds and as a solo performer.  It has also developed my creativity to teach and choreograph which led to me starting my own business Socacize. As a business owner, I learned financial skills, negotiation, business planning, Human Resources, plus how to balance work and home life.  Economic empowerment not just to only own the business but to lease property, purchase a home and to employ women and teach them the business. Dance has also given me a sense of accomplishment as people often refer to dancers as “starving artists”.  I however have learned more about the body, my history, and my culture as a result of my dance career. 

The Herstory in Black experience was inspiring, empowering and uplifting. It was a place where 150 Black women gathered for a photoshoot to celebrate their life experiences and achievements.  The room was not just filled with power and ambition but there was something very majestic - as everyone also appeared to to seem sexy, sultry and STRONG which made me think, gave me that rush of energy and drive to continue pushing through Socacize Fitness even when it seems impossible to pull through.  

As of Jan 2020, I got accepted into a business accelerated program called Vital Voices for 1 year with continued mentorship until 2022.  I am also working on hosting an annual conference for the Socacize Instructors in November. We also plan to continue growing the apparel, program development and the Socacize Professional Instructor Program.   

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Akua/Onika

CARIBBEAN CANADIAN

goleftcreatives@gmail.com

@GoLEFTcreatives

Dance is where we developed confidence, cultural pride, and life-long friendships, including our sisterhood, which has evolved into a business partnership.

Herstory in Black was a memorable and irreplaceable experience to be acknowledged, in celebration of Canada 150, among 150 black women doing phenomenal things to advance their industries, communities, and Canada. It was even more special to have the work we do with D'LYFE Dance Company featured on The National and CBC online, for all Canadians to see. The recognition was inspiring and confirmed the value of what we do. 

Next up we are launching a new brand GoLEFT Creatives to deliver Creative Services & Consultation. We're really excited for this next step, as it is taking off quickly. So far, we have been commissioned by Harbourfront for Kuumba25, the Jamaica Music Conference, the Toronto Public Library, several school boards for workshop series, independent artists, and other partnerships in development.  Stay tuned for more to come.  

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Jaz Fairy J

BARBADIAN - CANADIAN

jazfairyj@gmail.com

@jaz_fairy_j

Dance and I have had a deep relationship for most of my life. It is a language that is transcendent in form and spiritual in nature. Since I was a young child, I would feel dance in my bones, my energy, my dreams. When I started training post-secondary at York University, dance became my most intimate lover. All my secrets, pains, joys, curiosities and emotional ambiguities that I could not express or understand, dance held for me. As my practice has deepened and transformed into a profession spanning 13 years, I respect my creative journey. Dance has been a portal to the divine, a healing balm, and a practice that my soul has known in many lives. It has taught me how to hustle and has imbued me with a resilience that has allowed me to manifest my dreams. When we move, we shift energy and dance has re-generated me time and time again. From the very first stages I ever danced on to the projects I will do in the future future, the dance is me and I it, eternally. I have fought for dance and dance has fought for me the same. I currently work as a performance artist, choreographer and musician and I embrace dance as the that I draw from and return back to.  

Being in a room full of Black queens was completely epic during the Herstory in Black experience. When the photoshoot took place, I had never attended anything quite as magical.  I remember all of us standing in a circle singing a song Jully Black was leading, I think it was ‘this little light of mine.’ I remember feeling a deep sense of gratitude and a transcendent ancestral spirit energy that was nothing but Divine. I have known Emily since I was a tween and it was an amazing experience to witness her lead this group of queens through this event, meeting, photos etc. When I had the chance to share my stories and experiences with dance I had a really expansive time. The videographer was exceptional and it was an amazing opening of dialogue for me; to have the opportunity to zero in on my experiences and honour them. I am so grateful to have been a part of the 150 women making a significant contribution to Canada. I am truly still humbled. 

 What is next for me will depend on what the universe and Mother Nature say about the next few months given the pandemic. This will determine what my next moves are more solidly but upcoming plans are: 

Premiere of Ame Henderson’s ‘Harbinger’ in Paris, France (June 2020), Releasing new music on all streaming services (summer 2020), Performance of solo “uncover” Choreographer: Karen Kaeja in Germany (Aug 2020), Nuit Blanche, I will be performing a new solo at the North York location (Oct 2020)

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Lesley Waldron

TRINIDADIAN

lesleyawaldron@gmail.com

@akomaperfarts

Dance has always been a positive space where I was able to express myself. Born in the island of Trinidad and Tobago, my journey in dance started at the age of five. For over 20 years I have trained in various dance forms, but it is when my body experienced traditional African Dance that I knew this dance bug wasn’t going anywhere. After joining West African Dance Group “Sankofa” In the language Twi “Sankofa” meaning “go back and retrieve”, is exactly what I did. I travelled to Ghana to further my professional education and knowledge in West African dance gaining a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree focusing on community development in African dance and Theatre from the University of Ghana. This adventure for me, confirmed that I truly was dancing in my purpose. Dance has nurtured me in a way that helped to build my confidence, tell my story unapologetically and brought out the leader in me. My dance journey has allowed me to interact with a variety of people both locally and internationally, it is a platform that enables me to empower others. I know there are so much more places dance is going to take me and so many more lives I will be able to inspire, I look forward to the unknown in my dance journey.

The experience of Herstory In Black was a humbling, inspiring and emotional experience all at the same time. There I was amongst 149 powerful black women who were doing such remarkable things and creating such positive examples.  I wondered if I belonged in this space, after all I was just doing what I loved. However, through this experience it made me realize all that I have to offer the world and we all bring something unique to the table, so yes there is room for all of us. The most memorable moment for me was when we had a huddle before starting the CBC event. It was just a powerful experience being amongst such great energy and celebrating one another.

After studying in Ghana, I recognize the importance of maintaining and sustaining our culture. It is apparent that the authenticity of African dance traditions and its history has in some cases been lost in translation. This realization inspired me to form Akoma Performing Arts. An organization that provides workshops, trainings, performance presentations and consultation in a variety of art mediums. “Akoma” in the Twi language meaning heart, represents our various art forms and are the heart of who we are.

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Sagine Sémajuste

HAITIAN - CANADIAN

www.saginesemajuste.com

@saginesemajuste

Dance has not only played a very significant role in my life but it has also outlined its course. I started with ballet and later ventured into jazz, modern and hip hop. From getting into a specialized arts high school for the dance program, to then being introduced to my first musical, which then lead me to getting accepted into The Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York City.  Even after I entered the corporate world in Toronto, for a short amount of time, my passion for dance lured me right back into the world I’ve always known and loved. Surprisingly after I transitioned from dance to acting, it was still the source that grounded me, brought me great joy and peace. In my acting career it has served me as a very valuable asset. One that allows me to be comfortable within my body, one that taught me how to take direction well and one that has taught me to understand the accuracies of movement as well as the impact of stillness. Dance has helped shape the woman that I am today by teaching me to accept and love my body (at any stage), applying discipline to my day to day life and showing me the importance of self-care (physically and mentally). It has also exposed my shortcomings, revealed my insecurities and challenged me on my most difficult days. It forces me to dig deep within myself, pull out what’s needed in any given situation and to trust that part of myself that knows the answers without having to ask the questions. I’m so grateful that a lot of my gifts live underneath an artistic umbrella and that I’m able to pull from any of them at any given moment to do the work that is required. Since I transitioned to acting, I've been featured as a dancer in film ('Frenemies' and 'The Rocky Horror Picture Show'), in television ('Motherland)', in commercials (Tim Hortons, Ford) and I look forward to doing more. On the top of my list is an artist/dancer biopic. And if you're wondering who I would love to portray the answer is simple, the one and only Janet Jackson!

My HERstory In Black experience was a beautiful surprise. One that I got to partake in because of my best friend Sabine Daniel. She is the reason Emily Mills even knew my name and sharing this experience with her meant everything to me. We have basically evolved in this industry together and have been each other's cheerleaders for many years now. Standing alongside 150 intelligent, trailblazing, successful, influential, ambitious, driven women of colour was an honour. I remember starting that year in a space of confusion and feeling like I wasn’t doing enough. This epic moment truly set the tone of the future narratives I would tell myself about myself. It reminded me to keep pushing, stay present, show gratitude and to celebrate my accomplishments (big or small). One of the many memorable moments of that night for me was when Jully Black brought her mother on stage and reminded all of us that, no matter the obstacles, with faith, love and resilience we can and must Break Through The Glass Ceiling. Every single voice chanted that monumental phrase in unison and many tears were shed. It was beautiful and important. In that moment, we felt unstoppable and we were reenergized with fuel we needed to keep going, at least I was. I will never forget that night and am forever thankful for the memories. Thanks again Emily for turning your vision into reality and bringing us all together. Sabine, thank you for being on this journey of dreams with me. All the way to the top sis xx

2020 is going to be an exciting and busy year. I’ll be appearing in a recurring role in a new Netflix Original Series titled 'Grand Army' as well as two other projects. I unfortunately can't disclose more information yet. Thanks in advance for all the support and for coming along with me on this ride. May 2020 be a year of clarity and living in ones purpose for all.

Headshot Photos by LeilahDhore.com

20 Day Mental Wellness Challenge

20 Day

Mental Wellness Challenge

SENDING YOU LOVE & LIGHT!

I had a whole other post scheduled for today but my heart is so heavy man. Need to get my mind right… still going to show up and spread love and light!

Literally as I write this my hands are trembling. My anxiety level today is the highest it’s been in a while. It’s safe to say my mental wellness today is out of whack.

“Mental Wellness can be defined as: “a state of well-being in which the individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, and can work productively and fruitfully.””

Between physical distancing, cancellations and closures, and busting my brain trying to pivot my entire business while keeping the #SpiceFam engaged… I just learned of the sudden passing of a colleague. Guys I am shook to my core. This news will rock so many; I’m saddened for the world and especially the black community .

At the moment my emotions are all over the place. The day has been spent creating content and doing conference calls… now I feel numb. 

If one thing 2020 is here to do, it’s to remind us that life is precious, do not take time for granted. Many of us have a lot of “free” time right now. I encourage you to utilize it wisely. By all means, binge watch your shows and eat the snacks you choose, but also reflect, meditate, and truly think about the person you want to be on the other side of this pandemic. 

You are not alone in this. My heart is with each and every one of you reading this.

Tomorrow marks the start of a new month and a new quarter so I am determined to start it on the right foot. 

I’m inviting you all to join me on a 20 day mental wellness challenge with you. It’s not the antidote to all the chaos in the world, however it will provide simple tasks to help add supportive notches to our day.  


The secret to success is found in our daily routine. To be honest, I haven’t had a routine these past few days but moving forward I am committed to devoting time to my well being. Scheduling time I believe will help accomplish this. Let’s do this ya’ll.

To participate in the challenge:

Download my worksheet HERE

Schedule each task in your calendar and ensure you complete each within the next month. 

Let me know you are participating so I can check in and/or hold you accountable if you’d like.
- social @simplyshakera

XOXO <3

Today I Rise - Event Recap

today i rise

Event Recap

Photo by: @jodianne.beckford

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Throughout my entire life, I know the feeling too well of being the "only one" in the room. From attending a predominantly Italian elementary school to attending auditions at the start of my dance career where castings alarmingly read “all ethnicities welcome too”. There was never anyone who looked like me in these spaces. 

Eventually I said F*** it, let me create my own spaces… and have been doing so for almost a decade. The Carnival Spice community in particular has truly become a gift for many. It allows for beautiful humans of all shapes, sizes, and colors to come together and cultivate joy.

To be honest though creating these spaces, hosting events, sticking to your mission is A LOT of work chile… So you can only imagine how happy I was to be invited to "today i rise”.

today i rise - a Black History Month event that celebrates the resiliency and power of the Black Woman.

It truly was.

The event was hosted inside the 889 community. Upon arrival we were greeted at the door with smiles and guided us to the event space. I looked around and the first things I noticed were:

• I didn’t see anyone familiar. I loved that! 

• everyone was smiling - good vibes already!

• everyone in the room was melanated - yoooo!!! my peopleeeee!!! whats good?! This made me giddy… and PROUD.

There were four parts to the event (a) Fitting (b) Yoga & Meditation (3) A fire side chat. (4) Refreshments. 

Nike gifted us with a head to toe look, purse, and yoga mat.

Photo by: @jodianne.beckford

…and catch this - my outfit was PINK!!! How did they know my colour?? The fit of the outfit was great too, especially for my body type.  I literally was floating around the room on a cloud.

The day just flowed. There was so much attention to detail. I couldn’t stop smiling. We laughed, we cried, we laughed some more, we listened… we hyped each other up!! All the women in the room were doing some amazing things in the city. It was an honour to hear their stories. I learned that many of the women were also wellness leaders in different facets, from yoga, to fitness, to meditation and more.

One of my favourite things was the question jar - this tool is excellent for people like me who low key are terrified of small talk. 

"We are seen. We are heard. We are celebrated"

- Rebeckah - Wellness Advocate, founder of @iriseyoga, & dope ass human! KNOW HER!

Photo by: @jodianne.beckford

During the yoga practice led by Rebeckah, there was such a sense of peace, strength, and vulnerability in the room. 
This moment was was so impactful. It was like I could see my reflection everytime I opened my eyes through the beautiful people around me.

“Everyone has the right to be well”

-Nicole Cardova - Entrepreneur, Speaker, Wellness Advocate

Photos by: @jodianne.beckford #shotbybeckford

Once the yoga practice was complete, we exchanged some more! @nicoleacardova what a powerful human. She travelled all the way from states shared her story with us. We left feeling uplifted and empowered.

These spaces are so important to me. I salute all the leaders out there taking charging and ensuring these moments happen as much as possible. THEY ARE NECESSARY; not only for us but for the generations to come. I will remain hopeful and continue doing my part in ensuring that these “moments” last forever.

#untillweallwin

Thank you Rebecka, Nicole, the Nike team, literally everyone involved for pouring into us - I KNOW it took a village to put this event together. Congratulations.

Photo by: @jodianne.beckford

2019 in Review

2019 in Review

A reflection of one of the coolest years in my life.

It’s not how you start its how you finish… and I entered 2019 emotionally depleted. 

I had a choice though. I could either wallow in my feelings or SLAY THESE GOALS. Then boom, Queen Koffee releases one of the biggest reggae songs in history featuring lyrics that permeated my soul.  At the start of each year I select one word to help guide my intentions for the next 364 days. For 2019 my theme word was FORCE. It’s like Koffee knew my heart! She starts the song by singing: "Toast, yeah (mmh yeah), say we a come in wid a force, yeah, blessings we a reap pon we course inna hand full”…I still have “Toast” on heavy rotation. 

2019 was a great year for soca and dancehall too. Ding Dong released a slew of new dances. Elephant Man came back to the music scene. Oshane from the overload skankaz crew created the “celebration” dance that can be seen worldwide. I even taught the hosts of Breakfast Television how to do it on live TV. See here: https://youtu.be/SipdgozEda0?t=176 

Meanwhile a Grenadian (Mr.Killa) won the Trinidad soca monarch, Bunji, Machel, & Skinny united the Caribbean with “Famalay”, and Kes the band had yawdies chippin’ for a second year in a row with “Savannah Grass”. Speaking of which, 2019 gave me the space to do more creative work. Check out this beautiful music video I choreographed and directed https://youtu.be/ohj_Vg8mw0I . Shout out to Kes for sharing it to his instastories.

Guys! THE RAPTORS ARE THE 2019 NBA FLIPPING CHAMPIONS. This win was one of the best feelings ever. The fight, tenacity, and passion from the team was unmatched. AND THE FANS! Wow. The way everyone came together - filling the streets in their Raptors gear. Jurassic Park! The Celebration Parade! Gees. We are truly one of a kind. Big up @general_genius416 for having the whole city doing the #RaptorFoot. I’m so proud Toronto got to show the world how dope we were even with all the hate coming in from the outside. Rapchas to di world!!!! RIP Louie Rankin.

…and RIP Nipsey Hussle your legacy will live on. As an artist myself, I’m so inspired by the tremendous work you’ve done in so little time and how you’ve transformed your artistry into a vehicle for change.

Life really is precious. In 2019, I also watched two people dear to me fight for their lives. They both fought hard and are healing now but what a journey that has been. Giving God thanks for keeping them and reminding us to live purposeful, lead with love, and take care of our body, mind, and spirit as best as we can.

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Some of my personal favourite moments in 2019:

The Pink Party

This feels like a century ago. On Feb. 3rd at a small gathering with friends and family I hosted to the Pink Party. It was to celebrate the launch of simplyshakera.com. Thank you to our host @trayarts for welcoming us to your art studio and leading a carnival filled paint night. This is was such an emotional day for me. I was proud, relieved, excited, and anxious, all at the same time.

Booking 3 National TV Commercials: 

Guys this was huge accomplishment for me because I stopped doing the audition life years ago. God had a different plan for 2019. Grateful to be featured in commercials for Autotrader, Uber Eats/Toronto Raptors, and Spectrum Business

Feature on Real Housewives of Atlanta

YA’LL!!! What a way to close off a decade and highlight 10+ years of work!! The #RHOA were in Toronto for carnival this summer and Bravo TV reached out to me to share some tips with the ladies. Over 1.985 million people tuned in on December 29th, 2019 as I spiced up their TVs. This was the highest rating for the season thus far. I am big fan of the show, and a proud torontonian and carnivalian. It still hasn’t sunk in. Before the season is up I’ll do a recap on how it all went down. 

Carnival Spice

Seven years I had an idea to start a company that brought all my passions (dance, fitness, culture, community) together. Carnival Spice was born and has grown into such a beautiful platform that showcases Caribbean carnival arts and aspiring performers. My 2019 team though was so lit. It’s been a pleasure supporting their growth as artists and watching them navigate life while pursuing their passion in dance. We had a blast in 2019. From concept videos, to booking national interviews, and securing corporate clients like PWC, Soho House, and the Aga Khan Museum… we even took home the ByBlacks People’s Choice Award for Best Dance group. 

My Natural Journey

In 2017 I noticed a decline in my health, in 2018 I learned why so in 2019 I had to do something about it. A shift in my lifestyle was needed. I made small changes, substituted products, implemented supplements and cut out inflamers! Specifically dairy, caffeine, alcohol, and the biggest one - relaxer which resulted in on the most dramatic hairstyles I’ve ever done in my life. I cut my hair! I can admit that the cut wasn’t planned. I knew I’d eventually have to do it but didn’t expect it to be so soon. I honestly ran out of hairstyles by the end of the year. The look I have had since I was about 12yo was long straight hair. With the amount of styles I had in 2019, I could have easily done the DMX challenge but by Dec. 29th my scalp and edges were TIRED! lol. I will say though, the cut was quite liberating. I look forward to these curls growing and glowing. 

Fam, I am looking for a longerwear nail color alternative to shellac nail polish; cause chileee, I cringe every time I put my hand under that UV light  - suggestions? To my naturalistas, any tips for me?

I left 2019 feeling empowered, grateful and excited for what’s next. Thank you for all your support. 

2020 is here! A year I expect to be full of love and fruition. I encourage you to dream big, set intentions and do the work. Let’s make it the best year yet!

YOU READY?!

[Giveaway] Laser Hair Removal

Laser Hair Removal

Giveaway!

Ya’ll! I tried something new and I’m sure you’ll be proud. In time for my upcoming vacation, I tried laser hair removal on my underarms!!

I was reluctant at first but my body hair grows really fast so I needed an alternative to waxing.

My technician Beni was very patient with me and made the experience fun. The treatment took about 10 minutes and on a scale from 1-10 the pain level was about a 6. I have super sensitive skin so I was quite impressed by this.

It gets better the Canada Med Laser team and I are giving one lucky winner a free laser hair treatment. You can choose between underarm, upper lip or Brazilian. 

How To Enter:

Real simple, in the comment section below, tell me what’s your hair removal choice of preference: Shave, Wax, or Laser!

**Contest closes November 30th**

**Winner must be a Canadian resident**

We Rise Brunch Recap

We Rise Brunch

Recap

“Don’t be a lady, be a legend”

… the empowering words that attendees were welcomed to as they entered the inaugural We Rise Brunch (WBR).

What brought me to the WBR:

Instinct!

I don’t get out much (lol) but when I saw who was organizing this event I was very intrigued. A few years back I had the pleasure of working with Leigh Events Co. for a Carnival Spice wedding performance. That experience left a positive impression so I anticipated that the WBR would be dynamic.

The We Rise Brunch exceeded my expectations.

As an entrepreneur what charged me up the most was the branding! Guys, the WBR Logo color scheme, and sophistication could be found every everywhere.

EVERYWHERE.

From the The walls, the social media, the napkins, the desserts, chile even the bathroom! I lived for this. I appreciated this. It really made me reflect on how I display my business and personal brand… What impressions am I leaving on my clients and audience? What details could I add to my work to make an even greater impact? …ya, my mind went all the way there.

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There were three facets to the We Rise Brunch; a panel, a brunch, and an aftaaa pawty! Each was in a separate room decorated beautifully. There was an intention for every detail and great vibe throughout. Here’s a short review of the different elements!

The Panel

@kelawalker my spirit animal!!!!! I am glad to have been introduced to you and your greatness.

@wondagurl congratulations on all your success and reminding folks that “age aint nuttin’ but a number”

@samanthaclarke my beautiful friend oh how I love thee! I already know how phenomenal you are so it was great seeing you in another element and crushing it too!

@janetjacksonhairstylist story resonated with me the most. Her passion for hair and desire to uplift other black hairstylists reminded me so much of my love for dance and building my team of performing artists. It was great to hear ways in which she rose above adversity to make her mark on the hair industry in Canada and beyond. Oh, and thank you for dancing your way into the room during your entrance! Too Lit!!

@karencivil what a pleasure to have you bring your knowledge and energy to us Toronto ladies. Many of the experiences you shared had strategies that could be applied to all areas of our life. SO TIMELY AND OH SO NECESSARY! Thank You!

Some of my fave takeaways:

“Be mindful of your character and your reputation will take care of itself” - Kela Walker

“Never step over a dollar to pick up a nickel” - Karen Civil

• Introduce yourself using your first AND last name! Small note, yet so profound!

Brunch

Dear WBR team, the introverts and solo attendees greatly appreciated the assigned seating!!!!!!!! lol

Our meal was a WELL SEASONED four course Caribbean meal. Here we had live entertainment and learned more about the future of the WBR.

The event attracted a great audience as well. I was reminded of this even more by the women sitting at my table. Shout out to the ladies I sat beside. To my left was Rockstar Mom & Entrepreneur @robinawalling and to my right celeb make up artist @afia_beauty.

Afta Pawty

The Lounge was super fun! It had an array exhibitors & activations, live DJ and a big ole dance floor.

Everyone had high spirits and looked lovely. I also appreciated that most followed the Green and Pink dress code.

We were surprised with gifts throughout the day too. Here are some of the goodies I brought home.

In the photo you can spot my most favourite gift: My portrait! @caricature.dani sketched it in like 5 minutes! I went and got it lamented yesterday - I’m in love!

Additional goodies not pictured: A fresh rose from @thepetalpop, dairy & gluten free cookies (from Cake & Co I believe), and a kente head wrap I purchased from @siranis_fashion. There were many more activations that I didn’t get a chance to get to in time.

Small detail I also loved was that a majority of the vendors were black owned businesses.

Treasa!!!!! Consider this blog post a testimonial for your work! Happy to have witnessed your vision come to life! And a huge shout out to your team for all their warm smiles, willingness to help, and hyping me up on the dance floor - nothing went unnoticed.

Congratulations to all involved & best wishes on the launch of the We Rise Experience.

Simply Shakera Fun Facts 2019

Simply Shakera

Fun Facts 2019

You see the feathers and the fitness as I navigate this world but I bet you didn’t know the following 10 facts!

1. I am Canadian born 🇨🇦 Jamaican blood 🇯🇲 Jane & Sheppard raised ✊🏾 ...but Malton is where I currently call home 🏡

2. I am sucker for reality TV! Current fave is Married at first Sight - S10! Big Brother & Real Housewives of ATL 📺

3. I don’t eat roti, doubles, or pelau!!! lol 🍲

4. I’m addicted to stationary from Chapters Indigo… notebooks and agents are my achilles heel 💼 .

5. Words I live by are: “Lead with energy and passion... it’s that simple” This quote is also the foundation of the Simply Shakera brand. 💫

6. A pet peeve of mine is when people call me HUN or DEAR 😓

7. Contrary to belief, I don’t drink alcohol. ‘Tis a personal choice so feel free to send me all your fancy virgin cocktail recipes 🍾

8. I have been a jury member before! Probably the most unreal experience I’ve ever been through #neveragain👨🏾‍⚖️

9. I swear by the healing powers of essential oils; 60% of the time I’m covered in peppermint oil 🍃

10. My first “real” job was as a sales associate for lasenza girl 👙🤷🏾‍♀️

Which are you most surprised by - let me know in the comments!

Caribana Recap 2019

Caribana Recap

2019

Toronto Carnival Season 2019 was one to remember.

The #SpiceFam was alllllll ova! We hosted a few pop up dance workshops, performed at a few private events, and had tv spots on

both Breakfast Television (view here) and CP24 (view here).

Met Preedy, Kerwin Dubois, and Jillionaire, saw Blaxx, Tallpree and Shal Marshal perform live, won section of the year at Friday Night Mas, and hit the carnival road with the Carnival Spice ladies. Twas a time!

What I loved most:

• THE STAGE!!! For the first time ever, Toronto Carnival featured an elevated stage. If you followed my blog over the years, you’ll know that I’ve BEEN suggesting this! I didn’t get to see the stage in person, but based on photos and video floating around the net it looked awesome!

• Meeting the Real Housewives of Atlanta was pretty cool too. In addition to being a huge fan of the show, I’m so happy I could share my culture with them! ...Gahhh! That’s all I can say for now.

• The King and Queen competition had a great vibe this year. Speeches were LONG, but kudos to MC SKF for keeping the crowd’s energy up. I personally enjoyed the performance by Lil Natty & Thunda but the audience was tough. Lol. Twas clearly a trini crowd. Congratulations to all the winners. My favourite was this year’s queen from Toronto Revellers! Her costumed radiated the moment the lights hit it on the stage.

• Big up Cantu Beauty for giving away full sized products from their hair care line on the road!!! They had a tent set up and offered hair tips, products, and more.

Least favourite moments:

• The same day I was on Breakfast Television dozens of people forwarded me a CBC article where my photo was used to promote a campaign that I had no affiliation with. I suspect a band who I modelled previously for submitted the photo without my knowledge. This is SUPER frustrating considering they could and SHOULD have used photos from their 2019 season! Plus I personally don’t support the campaign in relation to carnival. Apparently topless masqueraders were to appear at the parade this year - cool, do your thing but leave me out of it. I advocate for cultural arts and the history of mas… which in my opinion doesn’t correlate with being nude.

• Although I commend Shea Moisture Canada for hosting a fun filled & educational event surrounding black women and black hair, I’m quite disappointed that the featured Caribbean Carnival models/dancers they used didn’t reflect their audience! In my opinion, if you are hosting a Caribbean Carnival event hiring samba performers as the entertainment is a miss. An even bigger bonus would have been if they used black models. They had photo booth activations at some of the costume launches earlier in the year - why not hire one of the models from the show??? There were so many models/dancers to choose from… And nooo, I’m not salty that Carnival Spice wasn’t called - lololol. I’m simply mentioning this so they can do better next time around.

• Lack of attractions along the parade route was a big miss by the festival organizers. I understand that the Grand Parade is suppose to have masqueraders and spectators - HOWEVER, sadly the mentality in Toronto is that Caribana is a street party and the issue of “storming” exists year after year. I feel like if their were more attractions along the route it would redirect people out of the parade. I commend initiatives like the Winedown Festival and Island Mix for hosting limes along the sidelines; those events visibly made an impact on the amount of congestion on the route.

Now that we finally have a stage I may consider playing mas again in Toronto… I would only be open to partnering with a section leader or band who is trying to push the culture forward and respects their masqueraders. When I play, I roll DEEP; so I’m especially mindful that everyone who plays with me has a great time.

It has been heartbreaking seeing all the recent press regarding poor masquerader experiences! Negative media attention doesn’t just affect the band in fire it effects the entire festival and carnival community.

Let’s all vow to do better.

SO HOW ABOUT YOU - HOW WAS YOUR TORONTO CARNIVAL 2019 EXPERIENCE?

Did you play mas? How’d you like your costume? The band? The new route?

Did you just fete? What was your fave party?

Did you escape and go to the cottage?

Let me know in the comments?

Toronto Carnival Guide 2019

The Toronto Guide 2019

For Masqueraders

In case your wondering - yes that’s me in the photo above! Living out my glory in one of my favourite Toronto Carnival moments EVER! It was 2011, crossing the judging stage to ADVANTAGE by Machel Montano. Never saw that white rag again, popped the strap on that cute matching purse, and one of my lashes floated off into the horizon. Best moment ever… but it gets better… after parading with meh friends, going home to relax and sleep… I woke to the news that this photo was on the FRONT COVER OF THE TORONTO STAR!!!!!!!! THE FRONT COVER OF THE TORONTO STAR YALLL! Magic captured in real time.

It’s carnival season in Toronto so the city is buzzing with the Grand Parade only 10 days away! I am asked daily where to find this and that so I’ve compiled a list of a few Carnival - related business in the GTA that may help you, the masquerader, get ready for the road.

Back in the day most of these companies were unheard of leaving masqueraders to fend for themselves so I am proud to see how the carnival world is evolving. To the artists and business owners listed - I see you! Keep pushing doing what you love and keeping the culture alive. Enjoy the rest of your Toronto Carnival season.

READERS, If you enjoy this post, please leave a comment below and share share share. 

If tagging, you can find me on social @simplyshakera 

… and definitely let the vendors know Simply Shakera sent ya! Xo

Fitness

• @werkdatdennis offers dance fitness in Brampton Saturday mornings and Thursday evenings.

• @carnivalcurves offers carnival bootcamps and more across the GTA.

• @CarnivalSpice offers Caribbean Dance Fitness and Carnival Choreography year round with a pop up dance work Friday, July 26th. Be sure to also visit carnivalspice.com to learn about their Caribbean Carnival entertainment services and child youth programs.

• @islandwukout present #WukoutWednesday July 31st in Mississauga

• The Fitlife Bootcamp; a dance fitness event featuring soca star FayAnn Lyons Aug. 1st in Scarborough

Accessories

@thecollabovibe is a local distributor of @carnivalista products including fishnets, tights and pasties. Their main service is providing mas coverage of band launches and carnival - look out for them on the road.  

@carnival_queens_accessories offers bedazzled water bottles, flasks, cups, and more. See page for designs

@cleoluxe offers fanny packs, fishnets in all shades, sunglasses, and lashes

@mas.vlstockings are advertising fishnets with low waistbands. These are good for those of you wearing spider pants!

@carnivaldepot offers glitter fishnets and miles tights.

A few of the bands have fishnet and tight vendors at their mas camps too.

Notes:

• If taking the fishnet or tights approach, try to find a color to match your skin tone. It should blend!

• The pantyhose you wear to the office or church is not the same. Carnival tights/fishnets don’t have seams and are a much thicker material.

• You don’t have to wear fishnets by the way - it’s not mandatory. Many feel more comfortable in them or want to give their costume a little extra sparkle.

• AND PLEASE STOP PULLING UP YOUR FISHNETS TOWARD YOUR BRA. That trend has passed and it has never been cute. The waistband of your fishnets should be covered either with your belt, costume panty or if applicable.
  

• The masquerader (@bahayogi) on the left models exactly how the fishnets should be worn!

• The model on the right is a NO!!!!!!!! The band needs to be lowered and the fishnet color is wrong. Black would only work if the costume was black or had black accents.

Bags

@StyledfortheRoad

Carnival purses designed and handmade by Suzanna

She offers a variety of colors and currently has a sale going on. They are super cute.

styleprolix.com

@LimeCarnival

Stylish hydration packs for carnival or music festivals. (So you don’t have to get the hideous ones from Canada Tire)

https://www.limecarnival.com

DIY

Fanny packs are the trend for the road

Locally, take a look at places like ardent, urban behaviour, stitches, or forever 21; the quality isn’t the best tho!

Make Up

@CarnivalMakeUpKits 

Provide professionally-selected carnival makeup designed to match your costume in a compact kit!

Each kit is customized to your costume and includes:

1. Glitter (x2 jars)

2. Jewels (x2 sheets)

3. Waterproof Cellphone Pouch

4. Lash + Glue OR Glitter Primer

You can check out a recent interview they did we CP24: https://www.cp24.com/video?clipId=1734491

Make Up Artists:

@nikkidmakeup

The photo is of some of Nikki’s work. She will be taking appointments on a first come first serve basis - connect with her to determine location.

@PreciselyYourPassion are providing carnival make up experiences including breakfast, photoshoot and more.

book online: preciselyourpassio.wixsite.com/precisely-pop-2

The accounts below I have never personally used before but they had quite attractive ads on IG. Nonetheless, sharing is caring:

@sholaseraphinabeauty offers brow styling and Caribana make up for Saldenah and Carnival Nationz

@facecandystudio limite slots remain.

Carnival Beauty Lounge at the Radisson Hotel @honeybeautyinc - cool idea!

• They’re promoting a variety of things such Makeup application, photoshoot, and shuttle to parade.

TIP:

• If adding gems to your face from Dollarama; please place them INDIVIDUALLY not as the strip. Cute > Laziness.

• Don’t forget to apply sunscreen on your face!!!

Footwear

• Unfortunately there aren’t many local boot vendors but with a quick google you’ll see a bunch of vendors pop up that sell online. Hopefully you have a friend with Amazon prime.
  

• Running shoes or sneakers are always your best bet.
  

• Unless you’ve done it before avoid sandals, heels, and flats.
  

• ANY footwear you pick Comfort IS KEY! It should also match your costume. 

• PS: Carnival is a time to be larger than life! Bedazzling your shoes is welcomed - dohhh hold back!

• Designer and Carnival Beauty @fon_rose some great footwear style below:

Community

Carnival Day Camp

Child Care Service For Masqueraders aged 4-12 years.

http://carnivaldaycamp.com

I believe registration deadline is July 26th - inquire ASAP.

@everybodyplayahmas

A body positive movement to showcase and celebrate diversity in Caribbean Carnivals.

Use the hashtag #EverybodyPlayAhMas in your social posts to be a part of change.

Karabana 

Enjoy some of the best carnival coverage from this true masquerader.

She will more likely take your picture.

http://karabana.blogspot.ca

Couple More Tips Before I Go.

• EAT BEFORE YOU GO ON THE ROAD - don’t rely on your band to feed you.

• Leave the cards at home - cash is ideal

• Invest in a battery pack for your phone. Reception is terrible along the route which quickly drains your battery.

• Ensure you’re wearing good sunblock - costumes make for ugly tan lines

If you enjoyed this post, please leave a comment below and share share share. 

If tagging, you can find me on social @simplyshakera 

… and definitely let the vendors know Simply Shakera sent ya! Xo

xo

Introducing Carnival Spice 2019

Introducing

Carnival Spice 2019

When most hear my name they cannot help but think of Caribbean Carnival. WHY? Well, aside from me being a proud Jamaican Canadian, in 2013 I founded CARNIVAL SPICE fitness, entertainment, and community. The company was launched with an intention to bring movement to beautiful mas costumes through dance performances and costume showcases. I am forever grateful for how much it has grown! Many artists of color have come through our doors and blossomed into beaming talent. Our fitness clients continue dance, sweat, connect, and transform to the Caribbean vibes. Plus we’ve touched a variety of stages from television, to weddings, to festivals and more. 

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Allow me to introduce you to the 2019 team members:

MOHOGANY

TORI

CHARLENE

JESSICA

SULAIRE

ALANA

KAFI

ALYSEHIA

LAURA

JESS

ASHLEIGH

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To learn more about the company or to add some spice to your special event visit www.carnivalspice.com

You may have seen Carnival Spice in action with:

City TV

CTV

MuchMusic

Alison HInds

Toronto Star

G987 FM Radio

Jambana One World Festival

Grace Kennedy Foods

Ryerson University

Breakfast Television.

Jamaal Magloire’s Toronto Revellers

Saldenah Mas K Club

and more.

Follow Carnival Spice On Social Media:

Twitter

https://twitter.com/CarnivalSpice

YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/user/CarnivalSpice

LinkedIn

http://www.linkedin.com/in/carnivalspiceandeverythingnice

Instagram

http://instagram.com/carnivalspice

[Giveaway] Spring Up Your Wardrobe

Spring Up Your Wardrobe

Giveaway!

The weather is warming up and it has me feeling oh so nice! I feel so relieved that I can wear a lighter jacket and not have to brush snow off of my car. Warmer weather also calls for outdoor workouts… so why not workout in STYLE! 

As a #FitSquad member for Titika Activewear, we have often collaborated on offering you free Simply Shakera dance cardio classes. Now we would like to “spring" up your fitness wardrobe! (See what I did there 😛) We're giving away one lucky winner a $50 gift card and another lucky winner thie sexy sport bag seen in my hand! 

Titika’s activewear is designed for performance, comfort and versatility so I now you’ll enjoy shopping at their store as much as I do.

How To Enter:

In the comment sections, tell me your favourite way to get FIT: Cycle? Dance? Yoga? Run? or Weights? AND tell me if you prefer online workouts or offline.

For a BONUS entry, visit this link: https://www.instagram.com/p/BwE4Y6VgLAV/

**Winner must be a Canadian resident**

The #SSPinkParty

The SSPinkParty

Let’s Dance, Paint, & Celebrate

Exactly one month ago I presented to you simplyshakera.com; my hand crafted online space made with love, light, and God’s grace. Beyond the pretty pictures, my hope is that it can be used as a resource for you, a source of inspiration, and a place where we can directly connect. The site has been years in the making - to be specific, I bought the domain back in 2012. Life is journey though and nothing happens before it’s time so I’m glad you are all able to share in this moment with me! February 3, 2019 is a day I will never forget.

For months I envisioned hosting a website launch event where I could celebrate with family while supporting another Caribbean business. For months I also wanted to attend a paint night but could never find the time.  With the #SSPinkParty, I married the two ideas. The evening took place at the Tray Arts Studio (@trayarts); please follow this brother! His studio was clean, vibrant and he welcomed my guests with open arms. We all really enjoyed the experience. The art piece we painted was a female masquerader to page homage to Carnival Spice. I was blown away by the outcome every one interpreted the piece differently but still created beautiful works of art.

My Biggest Takeaways From The #SSPinkParty:

• Support Local Businesses

• We All Have An Inner Artist Inside Of Us

• Trust The Process

Another highlight from the day was my speech! Thank heavens for video because the moment was a blur. I recalled standing up at the front of the room introducing myself and the site then instantly being flooded with emotions. I looked out in the room and the saw faces of many who have been there for me during many stages of my journey. I felt so much joy, relief, and gratitude. The road to entrepreneurship hasn’t been the easiest but I would do it all over again if given the chance. For me it’s less about setting my hours and answering to a “boss” but it’s really but creating a life a want to live brick by brick and most importantly, creating a life of purpose that can be of service to others.

Thank you for reading ya’ll - I added some clips to my IGTV as well. Enjoy!

Have a wonderful week and take this new month by storm!

Xo,

Shakera

Identifying Your Passion Pillars

Identifying

your passion pillars

Identifying your passion pillars allows you to live life a more intentional life. They can include your gifts (things your born to do, given by God, what’s naturally to you), talents (things you chose to do, areas you’re trained or educated in), Values (areas you hold at high regard), and/or interests (things that bring you joy).

I am grateful to have transformed my passion pillars into a business, a lifestyle, and a source of inspiration for others. Whether it’s your first time visiting my page or you have known me for years, you may have guessed that my passion pillars are Dance, Fitness, and Culture. Learn more in MY STORY about why these areas are so important to me.

“Passion is energy. Feel the power that comes from focusing on what excites you.”

— Oprah Winfrey

Passion is a powerful feeling that translates into intense enthusiasm or excitement towards something. That something can include love for a particular activity, great emotion for another individual, or an interest in an idea or cause.

Passion unlocks action.

It enables us to have self-confidence, trust ourselves and to take the risks!

Others can feel passion in you - that’s how strong it is!

Passion empowers us to overcome challenges and obstacles. Whether real or imagined, with passion you will overcome these challenges and obstacles and see the world as a place of infinite potential.

Pillars in this context are things rooted in the core of who you are and provides support for other areas.

Through my Passion Pillars, my goal is to bring joy to the lives of others. I would also love for you to establish your own passion pillars too!

Start by considering areas you’re strong in:

Are you always sketching designs, graphics, comics etc. on napkins?

Are you the friend everyone goes to for Life advice? Tech advice? Health Tips? Relationship help?

Perhaps you were like me and could dance before you could walk? What activity have you loved to do since you were a child? Or rather what activity have you had a growing love or appreciation for?

Does the work you do prompt results for others?

Now, use the statements below to help discover your passion pillars by filling in the (x) with the areas that immediately come to your heart or mind for each statement. Is there an area or thing that shows up more than once? Add it to your list. When making your final list of passion pillars I recommend selecting ONE, THREE, or a maximum of FIVE!

______X_____ is something I would do every day if given the opportunity.

______X_____ is something I could make a living from but would be open to do for free!

______X_____  is something that I utilize to be of service to the world.

When I practice/do ______X_____  I feel challenged to be better version of myself.

Ever since I could remember, I could be found  ______X_____ .

SENDING YOU LOVE & LIGHT!

Xo,

Shakera

Keep It Simple

Keep It Simple

to Unlock A Happier & Healthier Life

Simply Shakera DEFINED:

“SIMPLY”: to operate in a straightforward or plain manner; without embellishment or ambiguity.

“SHAKERA”: Often spelt Shakira, is Arabic for “Fruitful & Flourishing”. One who is thankful , grateful to the creator and joyous.

There is peace in simplicity and space to really the many joys and blessings of life. We all are on a journey and I have come to learn that my journey involves “Shakera Martin” aligning with her simplest form... in essence aligning with “Simply Shakera”. Coming into alignment with things you are meant to do allows you to truly feel God’s grace. Once I became aware of this, a process of reprogramming, sacrifice, and self-discovery began… and continues!

Common areas where complexity showed up in my life:

• The storage on my devices (Favourite line: “Your phone doesn’t have sufficient to take this photo).

• There never seems to be “enough” room in my closets or drawers (Favourite line from friends and family: “When did you buy that shirt Shakera?).

• Lingering to do list items.

• Being silent when dealing with toxic people!

• Poor eating habits!

• Over and over and overthinking!!

Can you relate to any of these?

“Simplicity means removing or eliminating what you can without making life difficult. It’s like getting rid of heavy stones that have been attached to you with chains.”

— - Iyanla Vanzant

The journey to simplicity challenges you to free yourself of bells, whistles or gimmicks and forces you to be comfortable with the core of who you are and your greatness. In that state, your vibes are so high that you are unstoppable.  Let go of what no longer serves you, lead with love, heal the mind/body/spirit through daily practice. I am starting to face myself even more and deal with the core of who I am by questioning everything I have been taught to believe. Yes, this has brought about much discomfort but I trust that there is a healthier and EVEN happier Shakera on the other side.

Success for me during this process has come from comes from continuing to fill my life with things that bring me joy and keeping God at the center of all my decisions. My growing faith has shown me that I am meant to inspire, support, and motivate others as as I navigate through all the hills & valleys. That’s where the true healing lies and further that is how we can complete our true life’s work by providing service to others.

I challenge you to set an intention to simplify your life today on your own journey toward a happier and healthier life.

Below are few ways to initiate the process:

(1) Let go of things and people that no longer serve your growth

What weight must I RELEASE from my mind or space?

How can I show the universe that I am READY for new beginnings and new opportunity?

(2) Lead with energy

What activity brings my spirit UP? Who keeps my vibe HIGH when I am around them?

What am I ingesting daily and how is keeping my energy POSITIVE & PRODUCTIVE?

(3) Lead with passion

Ask yourself, what do I LOVE doing?

How can an I incorporate that thing in my life daily? Weekly? Monthly?

Now take action and be consistent!

SENDING YOU LOVE & LIGHT!

Xo,

Shakera

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Photo Details:

Photography: Bright Osei-Agyeman

Shoes: Aldo

Shirt: American Apparel

Shorts: Parasuco

Hair: Carlene’s Beauty Lounge

Make Up: ME!

2018 In Review

2018 In Review

Let us reflect on the lessons and celebrate the wins.

For many, 2018 was tough! I received so many messages from folks who were ready to leave it behind. To a degree, I understand! There even came a point when I stopped watching the news.  For me however, 2018 was the most transformational year of my life thus far. At the start of each year I select one word to help guide my intentions for the next 364 days. For 2018 I was on a quest for PEACE.

2018 answered the call immediately! Things kicked off with continued celebrations for my 30th birthday, preparations for my company’s fifth anniversary, and boom, in walks one of the greatest men I’ve ever met. Joy to the world! The future I envisioned was changing and this required a new action plan. So where do I start?

To maintain peace in my eyes meant to work smarter not harder. I’m accustomed to completing a million tasks a day, jumping here, typing there, driving to the next class, or the next gig. But nah, not for 2018. I wasn’t eager to jump in to my normal work routine. I was intentional about slowing down to figure out next steps. Better steps. Smarter steps. Definitely needed to lean on my faith for direction! The moment I did that, everything changed. God revealed so much I needed to know and the world as I knew it flipped upside down. Was the experience bad? Nope! Painful? Sometimes. Uncomfortable? VERY! ...but here I am today on the other side of healing with so much gratitude, strength,and lessons. Instead of focusing on the discomforts and hardships of 2018, let us remember the year we lived, learned and LEVELED up… with or without Ciara’s dance.

Speaking of Ciara she made a comeback and added to the Black Girl Magic and Black Boy Joy that flooded 2018. I still get chills when I reflect on Beyonce’s Coachella performance and the fact that Michelle Obama wrote the #1 selling book of 2018 with BECOMING! My sister Siobhan Bent became an author too and co-wrote the book 13 Steps!! Jada, Willow, & Gam opened up our hearts with the Red Table Talk. Meghan Markle and her mom sprinkled melanin all over Buckingham palace...

We could not stop dancing in 2018. Ding Dong and the ravers crew made Dancehall NICE again! Mi nuh tiyad YET fi fling, genna bounce, and lebeh lebeh. @iamzoie had EVERYONE twerking on Fridays… Aliya Janell went on tour, and both lucian & vincy music dominated the soca airwaves and carnival waistlines...

and last but not least, we cannot discuss 2018 without the historical, box office breaking, Michael B Jordon shining, vibranium oozing, BLACK PANTHER!!!!

Some of my personal favourite moments in 2018 were:

The Surprise Party my family through for me TWO weeks after my birthday!

I am still shooketh and can’t believe they pulled it off! Look at my cake ya’ll!

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My Babies SMASHING their waltz on Breakfast Television and at their annual gala!

I am the dance program coordinator for the Trust 15 organization. They provide youth in the Rexdale/North Etobicoke area with programs that promote and facilitate positive behaviour, creative expression, and cooperative working skills. Love my babies!!! The team was challenged with the task of learning the waltz for the annual gala. Not only did they SMASH the appearance we did together on Breakfast Television (Watch HERE) but they DELIVERED on show day and brought me to tears! That evening we all elevated together.

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Aug. 3rd: The day went in this order Spice interview on CP24 --> Spice appearance for Tweed, Shakera and friends attend Friday Night Mas night parade at Ontario Place → 4 hours sleep → Caribana 2018 at the Exhibition.

I can’t put this day into words. The Carnival Spice calendar was full and so was my heart! The team and I worked, filmed live interviews, and played mas twice! I’m still sore… but oh the memories

Power of Success Conference where I met THE Tony Robbins

Tony Robbins knows my name all! This is probably THE WORST picture of me but I don’t care. This day shifted me at my core.

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Having been in the carnival scene for over 10 years, I’ve seen and experienced so many memories and great lessons. However, on December 29th, 2019 I announced that I will no longer be taking any carnival entertainment bookings or teaching any Carnival Spice drop in classes.  Watch the full video to LEARN WHY HERE)

Although a tough decision, it’s also very freeing! I embrace all the new opportunities flowing my way and will continue my work in developing aspiring artists of color and on a professional platform where their spirits, beauty, and talent can shine. But best believe if Machel or Bunji calls and says they need me in Trinidad to perform, I WILL BE THERE - FEATHERS IN HAND!

Culture is so important to me, and Carnival Spice allowed me to express that. We celebrated Carnival Spice’s 5th birthday, website relaunch, and first company audition in 2018. Even had a repost from Kes the Band for my choreography to their smash single HELLO (Watch Here - it’s at 15, 000 views! ). When I founded the company, I had no idea that it would be what it is today. From festivals, to birthdays, to weddings, the SPICE could be found all over the GTA and your social media timelines. The connections that have blossomed among the #SpiceFam members is also a major highlight; I can’t express how heartwarming it is to see my clients and team members bond both in and outside of class. I look forward to what’s next for the Carnival Spice community.

SENDING YOU LOVE & LIGHT! LET US USE THE TOOLS WE LEARNED LAST YEAR TO MAKE 2019 THE BEST YEAR YET!

Xoxo & Wakanda Forever,

Shakera