2020 In Review
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2020 In Review
The year that has changed us forever.
Photo By: Haley G Photography
We made it to a new year. I do not take this lightly at all. The last few months have been extremely tough in so many different ways and has affected every area of our lives. But here's the thing - we didn't give up and for that I celebrate us.
Many didn't live to see 2021. Before I proceed with my 2020 review I would like to take a moment to honour the lives of people in my life that I lost this year:
The beautiful and precious Anaya Anderson; sleep peacefully baby girl.
Two men with hearts of gold Justin Warner and Kareem "B.K" Wade
Two women who were pillars in the Black Canadian community Kike Lola Odusanya & Denise Jones
My cousins Tash (TO), Marie (JA), Marlene & Don (US)
and three of the most jolly elders that lived long beautiful lives Papa Chunny, Mama Wilson, and Papa Henry
and ya'll I am adding Kobe Bryant and Chadwick Boseman to this list. I know I don't know these men personally but their passing really affected me. Something about losing such giants at such young ages was hard to understand knowing that they had so much fire left in them. Their work has left such an impact on their industries and the hearts of many.
While navigating a global pandemic and one of the biggest civil rights movements in history - I was and still am dealing with a personal matter that has been pretty difficult. Still I give God thanks for his grace, love and endless blessings that have come in many forms. One of which is through friendship. I have had to lean on my friends A LOT - they were the MVPs of my 2020 - for real for real!... Alisha, Rena, Jeff, Sarah, Sid, Lily, Michelle, Di Pickney Dem, Fittaz (just to name a few) I am looking at YOU!
What was beautiful though is that throughout all the chaos, confusion and grief, I found the opportunity for discovery, healing and reconnection.
Now for a fun recap!!!!!!! Let's laugh and relive some fave moments from the year and Simply Shakera highlights.
Moments I am proud of:
On a personal level there were many triumphs that were achieved from big to small. Professionally I went into 2020 with these priorities: to book more speaking events, to have Carnival Spice work directly with different school boards and to take Carnival Spice fitness programming online (the irony!!!!!!!!)
From the moment the year started I hit the ground running and achieved those goals . The path to get there didn't look ANYTHING like what I imagined but it is only the beginning. Here are some awesome highlights from along the way.
Received the People's Choice award for Best Dancer of 2019 via byblacks.com
Was selected as one of the Top 100 women in Canada to watch in 2020.
Was invited to hear former president Barack Obama speak live in Toronto.
Finally introduced VISION my goal setting and vision board workshop to the world.
Secured brand collaborations and speaking opportunities with some cool clients from TVO Kids to Nike Toronto.
Meanwhile in the land of spice, before the lockdown, Carnival Spice hosted our biggest in person event to date - that night still gives me goosebumps. We hosted an instagram live interview and dance class with Real Housewives of Atlanta star Tanya Sam that had an audience of over 3, 000. We've continually trended on Tik Tok since July and was even featured on the app’s explore page. The team performed at a few virtual and in-person events including the most dynamic Black History Month school assembly with over 500 people the day before wave one lockdowns. Spice also celebrated a 7th birthday via a virtual event and was voted Best Dance Company for a second year in a row by byblacks.com. I’m proud of the #SpiceFam - we truly persevered against all odds.
Top 3 Internet Moments
VERZUZ!
Shout out to Timbaland and Swiss Beatz for developing this concept - it was the gift that kept on giving. Top music artists from different genres and eras had healthy battles on instagram using their respective music catalogues. These instagram live streams were mini concerts that provided some of the best internet moments of the year. Teddy Riley's technical difficulties (and the memes to follow) were hilarious. Brandy and Monica facing off was so uncomfortable to watch; but still, it was beautiful to have these young legends come together and be celebrated. However, nothing and I MEAN NOTHING was more monumental then the BEENIE AND BOUNTY CLASH! Listen, the way that night revived my soul - WHEW! ...I'm sure many of my fellow Caribbean peeps can agree. It touching to see Jamaican culture be celebrated on a platform like this. The laughter, the music catalogues, the camaraderie between the artists, the memes, the entertainment quality that was similar to a past time. SO GOOD!
Tik Tok Dance Challenges.
Say what you want about Tik Tok but it is, BY A LANDSLIDE, my favourite app. I wish I joined earlier. I enjoy how it's a mix of fun, education and entertainment. Plus from a business perspective it positions your product or service directly in front of your audience. Although I never want to hear the songs Savage by Meg The Stallion, Savage Love by Jason Derulo, or WAP by Cardi B ever again, I must acknowledge how Tik Tok dances have changed the way music is heard and marketed. Even soca had success on Tik Tok! The #PutYuhBackOnItChallenge by Denise Belfon & Dj Flex was trending for months. The Carnival Spice take on the challenge achieved over one million views!!!
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air Reunion
This television moment was something the world never knew it needed. The HBO special was wholesome from beginning to end. As a huge fan of The Smiths and this show, it was beautiful for me to see all the characters come together to reflect and reminisce with us watching. I cried, I laughed, I learned and I was inspired.
My Top Music Picks:
Top Reggae: “Lockdown” by Koffee
Top Soca: “By Any Means” by Voice (groovy) & “Yuh Bad” by Preedy (Power)
Top R&B: “Hit Different” by SZA
Top Hip Hop: “Dior” by Pop Smoke (Rest in peace to this young artist)
Top Gospel: “Something Has To Break” - Kierra Sheard with Tasha Cobbs Leonard
Top Dancehall: “Call Me If”, Dexta Daps
Top Pop: “Savage Love” by Jason Derulo
Top Afro (and arguably the biggest song of the year): “Jerusalema” by Master KG
Top 3 Words of 2020
Entanglement
Speaking of The Smiths - Jada Pinket Smith gave us one of the most meme-worthy words of all time as she revisited a personal matter on an episode of her hit show the Red Table Talk.
Pivot & Zoom (It's a tie)
Lockdowns and safety protocols have been tough personally but especially professionally. Business owners like myself know these these two words far too well at this point. To stay afloat we constantly had to adjust our business models to ensure our business could some how operate with whatever safety protocols were in place. For many, pivoting meant taking our services virtual. Dancing in front of a phone screen has been taxing to say the least but I am grateful for the ability to have a way in which I can connect with my community and clients.
Quarantine
What once was a word you only heard on medical shows and sci-fi movies became how most of us lived our lives at some point in 2020. Solitude was common; even if you were quarantining with other people. Drive-By Birthday parties & curb side deliveries were a thing. Stay in your bubble they said. If you have to leave home where a mask they said. Many introverts were excited to stay home until they realized it's MUCH different when you don't have a choice.
Top Media Moments
Even with a lockdown, your girl didn't lose her stride entirely. I remained 100% committed to my mission despite the world wind of changes going on in the back end. I enjoy being on camera and it was an honour to continue sharing my story and my work with the masses. Here are a few videos interviews that you can click and check out:
Interview With One Caribbean:
Carnival Spice Fitness demo on Breakfast Television (1 of 2)
Carnival Spice Dance Workshop at the How She Hustles - 10 Year Virtual Celebration
Carnival Spice in Barrie for Cultures Day
Carnival Spice Dance Workshop with Kiss 925:
https://www.instagram.com/tv/CDMWVwwnd-q/?igshid=h3f2bppx2b03
We Are Carnival Spice - The Documentary:
Breakfast Television 2/2 - featuring my nephew Matteo
Interview with the Toronto Carnival Festival Committee
What a year! We will never be the same. I do really want to say thank you again to every person this year that was intentional about pouring into me with love, advice, support and encouragement. It was needed and it was felt tremendously.
I pray for the safe keeping of you all; for your continued success and growth.
