AWM
FL:American Wines Matter, let us know about your brand, how it got started, and your mission statement.
AWM: I really feel that AWM is more of a movement and not necessarily a brand. AWM is about a silent but very large group of people that face significant challenges when it comes to soca and the carnival culture whether it be misconceptions, body image, or conflicts with their own cultural background. My mission statement is rather lengthy so for brevity purposes I would invite everyone to visit @americanwinesmatter to review it.
AWM got started in September last year as a discussion with one of my military mentors and she encouraged me to start AWM. It initially started as a way to capture my experiences to share with friends and function as a medium to share with people that I talked to about carnival, why I loved it and the Caribbean culture, and why they should consider getting on the road too.
While interacting through social media, I found people were more focused on the user handle and it sparked some amazing discussions in person and even through my DMs. The discussions and interactions with people made me really appreciate how impactful AWM could be and I decided to really devote my energy into it this year. What started as a blog turned in to a commitment to others.
FL: Before you were introduced to Soca and Caribbean culture, how much did you know about it & what has changed after experiencing the culture?
AWM: It wasn’t part of my upbringing, so I didn’t know very much. Once I played mas the first time, I knew that it was something that I wanted to continue doing. I was (and still am) a firm believer that one should enjoy the culture respectfully, so I asked a lot of questions and did a lot of reading. In doing that, I discovered that there were elements of myself (my ancestry) embedded in the culture and it made total sense as to why I naturally gravitated to it. My experiences have encouraged me to continue to learn about the culture and share it with others through AWM.
FL: Where you ever hesitant about playing mas? If so, how did you overcome it & what are some things you would want people to know who are hesitant?
AWM: Peer pressure encouraged me to push past my hesitations. I think its like that for a lot of first time masqueraders. I WAS TERRIFIED, but went because my sister had done it the year prior and had hyped it up so much that I had to go see for myself. I thought I was going to be out of place because I wasn’t Caribbean. Some things I would want people to know are:
- Your current body is your carnival body.
- Nobody cares where you’re from, just bring the vibes.
FL: When did you know you were in love with Mas & Carnival & how was that feeling of crossing the stage for the very first time?
AWM: The very first time!! The music, the people, the energy, the music booming from the truck making your insides literally vibrate… how can you NOT fall in love? There is no real way to describe crossing the stage for the very first time. It’s beyond euphoria or catharsis. Whatever your name is, you are not that person in that moment, and its beautiful.
FL: What are some tips and tricks that you have learned over your five years of playing mas?
AWM:That’s a loaded question! I have a lot of tips from costume selection, band selection, products, health, fixes, and even travel logistics. Just visit @americanwinesmatter 😉
FL: We saw a post on Instagram that you have your backpacks hanging in your office at work, a lot of people like to keep their life outside of work separate. Why did you choose to put yours out in the open?
AWM: Being in the military and as a clinician, I feel that its really important for my patients to see me as a person and not an authoritative figure when it is time for them to open up to me about their health concerns. When patients are open, I save lives.
I like to let people come in my office, touch the feathers and even try them on and take pictures with them on. And while they may not commit to playing mas, they often leave with the idea of at least spectating. People that can relate to something even in the smallest ways will support it. I think its small things like this what will help continue to promote the culture, especially across the United States.
FL: How would you explain carnival to someone who knows absolutely nothing about it?
AWM: I keep it as brief as possible because most have a short attention span when it comes to asking questions they have no idea is so LOADED with a lengthy response. I tell them that carnival is about celebrating life, liberation, unity and leaving your stresses behind. But you’re not going to really appreciate it unless you experience it yourself.
FL: Tell us the importance of bands being inclusive of all body shapes and sizes?
AWM:Let’s be realistic: most people that are interested in playing mas are NOT built like the models at the band launch. I would guess that 75-80% of masqueraders aren’t even made that way. It’s only reasonable to create options that allow everyone to participate. If carnival culture is about unity, then lets be unified on welcoming all shapes and sizes.
FL: With your Carnival Influence, how do you plan to help push the culture forward?
AWM: Currently, I plan to keep doing exactly what I am doing by sharing my experiences, engaging discussions in person and social media through posts and even my DMs. I can talk about masquerader tips all day, but that’s not going to push the culture forward very much.
So, finding means to explain very important aspects of the culture and hold follower attention at the same time is very important. Through AWM, followers will get to learn about the meaning of carnivals in relation to the different islands, the significance of carnival characters, traditions, etc.
AWM’s mission is very important, but to be honest I think its meaningfulness is still beyond my comprehension. I continue to seek guidance from my mentors about how I can continue to meet the goals of my mission statement and promote the culture. I’m definitely interested in talking to anyone about how I can do my part.
FL: How was your first Uber Soca Cruise Experience?
AWM: Let me tell you, USC was a SHOCK! I didn’t really know about USC until late August/September when someone had to sell their spot in a cabin with someone that I knew. I had no expectations and was completely blown away by the organization of the whole event. It was so much fun. I LOVE FOOD so getting to learn about and enjoy Caribbean foods as much as I did for the very first time was memorable. The vibe was non-stop from the moment we got on, til the morning we docked. I can’t wait to do it again in 2020.
FL: What carnivals are you heading to for 2020, and what bands are you planning to play with?
AWM: Trinidad: Lost Tribe
Jamaica: Xodus
Atlanta-Dekalb: Chezzenmas
Bermuda: TBD
Hollywood: IzAhFeter
Brooklyn: StronJeh International
Miami: TBD
I’ll also throw in that I’ll be on USC boat 2. Not that it counts as a carnival….
FL: What’s next for American Wines Matter?
AWM: Once 2020 seasons starts it will be pace, so Im currently focused on content development that will inform, inspire others, and keep them otherwise engaged until the season kicks off. Aside from this interview, Ive been invited to do a couple podcast interviews the first half of the year, and my first public engagement in the summer.
I also launched a blog on instagram @curvywinesmatter that serves as a platform to celebrate thick and BBW masqueraders. “Fluffy Friday” and “Thick Thursday” is nice and all, but I just felt like we deserve to be celebrated more than once a week. I’m really excited about connecting with photographers globally to capture the essence of these beautiful queens. The conversations in my DMs have been so inspiring.
2020 is going to be a pretty awesome year, I believe. But AWM and curvy wines matter is not about me, its about the people. I’m hoping that after I lay down a good foundation this year, the people will help me keep the movement going.