We’re excited to introduce you to Bri from Brooklyn Based Queer events collective called Funky Reggae House Party. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Bri below.

Bri, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

I believe that at some point, everyone experiences that “awakening” moment when they realize that their parents dream isn’t yours. I realized I wanted to pursue a creative / artistic path in church around when I was in High School. My mom wanted me to be a nurse but I was never passionate about learning about cells, tissues or organs. I don’t think she knows how much she has fueled my inspiration to learn to create something new by trusting the process. As an immigrant and learning about my status from young, you learn that your journey may be different from your peers. When you’re undocumented You learn to flow and survive when there’s so many limitations in your life. You can run and hide or learn to break the chain that holds back many of us and create the life you see for yourself. That’s what I did. My biggest struggle pushed my creativity to believe in myself to become an artist professionally.

Bri, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I got into DJing and curating my own events because of my love for music and sharing my culture. I like to spend time experimenting with different types of music, learning how to mix, and developing my personal style. My music is always rooted in sounds from my home country Trinidad and Tobago. I like to consider my events as a home for Queeribbean folk like me to find their family / tribe. I’m always proud to hear of stories about supporters falling in love or meeting their soul mates at my events. Black queer Caribbean parties are a powerful and meaningful space that blend our cultural heritage, our queer identity, and our love for music. As a Black queer Caribbean individual, we are part of a long tradition of queer resistance, but often our voices and stories are overlooked in mainstream discussions about Caribbean culture. By creating these events, we are helping to write and share the story of Black queer Caribbean people, reclaiming space in the cultural narrative. As an immigrant, it’s also important to create a space where we can find resources, advice, and solidarity especially during this time. In celebrating our many identities, we are asserting our right to exist, to thrive, and to be visible in a world when many of us hide our true selfs from our loved ones. Our parties can be a powerful form of political expression but also a love expression, saying, “We are here, we are proud, and love will always conquer hate.”

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

I’ve built my audience by shaping spaces where culture, identity, and joy collide, and where a marginalized community can come together to heal, celebrate, and create new memories. Through networking and remaining consistent through guest DJ sets at other parties and my own events I’ve built a following that remains genuine. It speaks to the authenticity and connection we’ve fostered with our community, which is essential for a long-term impact.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

Supporting immigrant artists and creatives is crucial for fostering a diverse, inclusive, and thriving creative ecosystem. Immigrant artists often bring unique perspectives, cultural richness, and innovative ideas that can significantly enhance the artistic landscape of any society. However, we also face additional challenges like limited access to resources. Community can help us by making spaces to gather affordable. Many immigrants face difficulties navigating the grant application process due to language barriers, unfamiliarity with local funding systems, or lack of connections. Governments and private organizations should create targeted grants, fellowships, and funding opportunities that are specifically designed for immigrant and marginalized artists. I also wish there were more local artist residencies that are tailored to immigrant artists that can provide time, space, and resources needed to focus on their work. Big up to Brooklyn Museum and Lauren for allowing us to have a party and celebrate being Queer and Caribbean this year. Creating platforms that specifically celebrate the art and culture of queer immigrant communities, can ensure that our work is continued to be recognized and appreciated.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://linktr.ee/funkyreggaehouseparty
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/funkyreggaehouseparty/
• Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/funkyreggaehouseparty

Image Credits

Looks by Shyla
Zen
Bush Dyke Bar
Eva Woolridge