In We Blood

In this episode, Mahayah, a mas woman who was raised in the Toronto Carnival (formerly Caribana) community discusses the importance of preserving the cullture. She challenges contemporary ideas around Carribbean identity, stressing that we're more than just wining and what popular instagram/tiktok content would have us believe.

She stresses that education around carnival and Caribbean culture doesn't start in the classroom, but in homes, and believes that the disconnect from real West Indianism has already happened in the diaspora, due to a lack of passing on cultural knowledge.

Enjoying this podcast? Make sure to Subscribe on YouTube.

~~Connect on Socials~~
Instagram ♡
Follow Keyanna: https://www.instagram.com/keybees/
Follow Mahayah: https://www.instagram.com/mahayahxo/
Follow In We Blood: https://www.instagram.com/inweblood_/

Tiktok ☆
In We Blood:  https://www.tiktok.com/@inweblood

Maggie, aka Charismaggie,  shares how creole's are a testament to the genius of our ancestors, why some Haitian-American's weren't taught how to speak creole for their safety, and she challenges the idea that Trinidad had the first carnival.

She's a cultural enthusiast and content creator who's focused on learning about her roots while unlearning stereotypes society has portrayed about various cultures.

Enjoying this podcast? Make sure to Subscribe on YouTube.

~~Connect on Socials~~
Instagram ♡
Follow Keyanna: https://www.instagram.com/keybees/
Follow Charismaggie: https://www.instagram.com/charismaggietv/
Follow In We Blood: https://www.instagram.com/inweblood_/

Tiktok ☆
In We Blood:  https://www.tiktok.com/@inweblood

In this episode, Rah, a well-known makeup artist committed to disrupting the way beauty is perceived and celebrated—particularly within the black and queer community—shares her perspectives on Toronto Carnival.

She shares carnival makeup tips, and challenges perspectives on 'stormers', discussing affordaility as a major factor. She also highlights the vital role Carnival plays in the black queer community as a profound connection to Caribbean identity—particularly because many black queer individuals have been ostracized from their Caribbean families.

Enjoying this podcast? Make sure to Subscribe on YouTube.

~~Connect on Socials~~
Instagram ♡
Follow Keyanna: https://www.instagram.com/keybees/
Follow Rah: https://www.instagram.com/rahsthetics/
Follow In We Blood: https://www.instagram.com/inweblood_/

Tiktok ☆
In We Blood:  https://www.tiktok.com/@inweblood

Mischka, the new CEO of Toronto Caribbean Carnival and a former masquerader for over 30 years, shares the cost to put on Toronto's carnival (formerly named Caribana), the challenges of her role, the impact of carnival on people's lives here in Toronto, and changes for the future to elevate the carnival for the community from volunteers to band leaders.

Discover the mindset and vision of the Toronto Caribbean Carnival organization's youngest CEO, and what it takes to lead the biggest carnival in North America.

Enjoying this podcast? Make sure to Subscribe on YouTube.

~~Connect on Socials~~
Instagram ♡
Follow Keyanna: https://www.instagram.com/keybees/
Follow TCC: https://www.instagram.com/torontocarnival.ca/
Follow In We Blood: https://www.instagram.com/inweblood_/

Tiktok ☆
In We Blood:  https://www.tiktok.com/@inweblood

Christel, a section leader for 10 years and a mother of two, shares what it takes to be a section leader and how to get in— from how to position yourself, to knowing who to pitch, Christel advocates for new young talent coming into the mas-making ecosystem.

She emphasizes that it's not as glamorous as it seems and requires grit, dedication, sleepless nights, and business acumen to succeed in the industry.

Christel also highlights the importance of involving children in the culture to help them understand it. As a mother of two young daughters aged 2 and 6, she often has them in the mas camp with her, teaching them about the art of mas-making and the culture.

Follow Keyanna on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/keybees/
Follow Christel on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/c4creator/
Follow Krave D'Xtreme (her section): https://www.instagram.com/kravedxtreme/
Join the IWB community: https://www.instagram.com/inweblood_/

Sharine Taylor, an award-winning writer, filmmaker, and editorial director discusses preserving Caribbean culture, and the importance of researching and understanding the hyper-localized expressions of mas in each island that you intend to play in before participating. She also speaks about carnival's role as an artistic expression and its significance in today's global context.

This episode is full of insights on preservation, education, and representation.

Enjoying this podcast? Make sure to Subscribe on YouTube.

~~Connect on Socials~~
Instagram ♡
Follow Keyanna: https://www.instagram.com/keybees/
Follow Sharine: https://www.instagram.com/shharine/
Follow In We Blood: https://www.instagram.com/inweblood_/

TikTok ☆
In We Blood:  https://www.tiktok.com/@inweblood

Caneisha, a passionate big mas enthusiast, and this year's Toronto Carnival's Female Individual title holder, shares her commendable journey in big mas. Despite being  just 21 years old, she has participated in the King & Queen for 16 years. In this episode, Caneisha delves into the intensity and energy of the King & Queen competition from a competitors perspective, and shares what it takes to create the costumes, perform in them, and everything behind the scenes, including the dedicated mothers who help to fuel it all. 

She also stresses the importance of young people getting involved in big mas to preserve the culture, and pass on the legacy of big mas.

Enjoying this podcast? Make sure to Subscribe on YouTube.

~~Connect on Socials~~
Instagram ♡
Follow Keyanna: https://www.instagram.com/keybees/
Follow Caneisha: https://www.instagram.com/caneishaedwards/
Follow In We Blood: https://www.instagram.com/inweblood_/

TikTok ☆
In We Blood:  https://www.tiktok.com/@inweblood 

Johanna Grant, band leader of Freedom Mas Band, a Jamaican band in Toronto shares the importance of having Jamaican cultural representation in Toronto Carnival, the challenges of being a new band leader, and sticking to your mission even in the face of fear.

She also discusses the hyper-sexualization of contemporary carnival and its implications on young women.

Enjoying this podcast? Make sure to Subscribe on YouTube.

~~Connect on Socials~~
Instagram ♡
Follow Keyanna: https://www.instagram.com/keybees/
Follow Freedom Mas Band: https://www.instagram.com/freedommasband/
Follow In We Blood: https://www.instagram.com/inweblood_/

TikTok ☆
In We Blood:  https://www.tiktok.com/@inweblood 

Candice Dixon, band leader of SugaCayne, a boutique band in Toronto, shares how they've integrated 3D printing, innovative fabrication methods, and unique design techniques into their costumes.

As a professor at Toronto Metropolitan University, Candace also sheds light on her one-of-a-kind Carnival arts class, where students of all backgrounds learn about why we have carnival, and get hands-on experience in storytelling through costume design and creation, developing an appreciation for the intricate and layered art of mas making.

She also discusses the nature of Toronto Carnival, the stormer culture, and masquerader experience.

Enjoying this podcast? Make sure to Subscribe on YouTube.

~~Connect on Socials~~
Instagram ♡
Follow Keyanna: https://www.instagram.com/keybees/
Follow SugaCayne:https://www.instagram.com/sugacayne/
Follow In We Blood: https://www.instagram.com/inweblood_/

TikTok ☆
In We Blood:  https://www.tiktok.com/@inweblood

In this debut episode, host Keyanna, and guest David, discuss the origins of Trinidad Carnival, why it's more than just a street party, connections to West Africa,  his role in carnival mas camps as a section leader of Crown Mas, his overall dedication to preserving the culture, and more!

Whether you're a seasoned Carnival enthusiast or just curious, this episode is full of insights into the rich history of Trinidad's Carnival, and the value of understanding the culture.

Enjoying this podcast? Make sure to Subscribe on YouTube.

~~Connect on Socials~~
Instagram ♡
Follow Keyanna: https://www.instagram.com/keybees/
Follow David: https://www.instagram.com/thedavidsb/
Follow In We Blood: https://www.instagram.com/inweblood_/

Tiktok ☆
In We Blood: https://www.tiktok.com/@inweblood