We were lucky to catch up with Shelissa Johnson recently and have shared our conversation below.

Shelissa , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?

Shelissa Johnson, Public Relations Officer for South Florida Band Leaders Association (SFCBLA)
Band Leader for Miami Carnival JR Band Karnival Kidz

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Growing up in a Trinidadian household, Carnival was introduced at a very young age. Playing Kiddies Carnival, seeing my family prepare and play mas in adults carnival, I knew the importance that this time of year and the event meant to our culture. Not only was it a cultural celebration and a historic value, but to us it was a time the whole family got together. Traveling in from around the world to whichever carnival that year brought us together. As I became an adult and started my own family, I knew that I would not let that element of our culture be lost. Not only did I have my children play their first Jr Mas before they could walk, I decided to become a band leader of my own kids band, Karnival Kidz for the Miami Broward JR Carnival. This role then allowed to me to be part of the South Florida Carnival Association (SFCBLA), where I felt aligned with its purpose to encourage growth of the carnival, and unity amongst the bands for the great purpose of educating and preserving our culture of mas and its traditions.
As a band leader and Public Relations Officer of the Association, I am most proud to be able to share ideas and work to preserve carnival and JR carnival so that my kids can learn the value of our culture and its traditions. From community events, and educational opportunity SFCBLA strives to keep carnival an ongoing topic, and not just a one time seasonal main event.
One of the most important roles I believe we have as an association is educating and promoting the carnival to the youth of our South Florida communities. Without them, the future of carnival and spreading awareness in the years to come can fade; so it is our job to continue to teach them not only what carnival is in a historic manner, but to expose them to parts behind the scenes. The mas making, wire bending, feather making- these are the elements of carnival that will carry the culture forever.

Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?

Many people see carnival and think its just a big party and a free-for-all, or as we would say “a set of Bacchanal’.. but there is more to carnival. It is a culture, a celebration, built on tradition and a history of freedom and rights. There are many talents that are required in bringing carnival to life. The eye may see a beautiful costume, full of color and beauty.. but truly the designers put so much life into these designs and each color, bead or gem tells a story. When a band releases a theme, it is to the mas makers role to bring this to life in color, in movement and allow the piece to tell a story without words.
Our association provides support to the band leaders but we also value the support and role that the masqueraders play. We value the opinions and concerns, and most importantly their experiences. Carnivals in the US are different than those in the Caribbean, being that these are National events in the islands and backed by the government. However here in the US we are a private entity and event- but with the help of masqueraders spreading awareness and a positive light on the celebration we can continue to grow and receive the necessary support.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

My biggest goal is to see Miami Jr Carnival become something our children look forward to, just as I did as a child. And not just for them to look forward to it- but to understand it and be proud of it and want to carry the torch of mas in their adulthood.
It would be a joy to see the children who play in our bands today, become the band leaders and mas makers of the future. The icing on the cake would be to see their growth and their passions fulfilled by the programs and events lead by those hosted by the Association.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.sfcbla.org karnivalkidzmia.com
• Instagram: @sfcbla @karnivalkidz_mia