No Toronto Caribbean Carnival Parade Again This Summer but Two Faces Of The Festival Have Lots To Promote
Two Faces For This Year And Next. Lateisha Williams And Celena Suesahai
Meet Lateisha Williams and Celena Seusahai, two well-known Toronto Mas Models and longtime Carnival organizers At an online press conference earlier this week, both women were named the Face of the Toronto Caribbean Carnival Festival – Ms. Williams for 2021 and Ms Seusahai for 2022.
Lateisha Williams (above and r)
For the past eight years the Festival has each year chosen a woman to be the brand ambassador for the annual Toronto Caribbean Carnival (some years men have also been chosen to share Face of the Festival duties - but not this time).
On Tuesday the Carnival held a press conference online to introduce both this year’s Face of the Festival and next year’s ambassador as well. Even though the annual summer long weekend Parade has been cancelled for the second year in a row (because of the Covid shutdown), there are still several events planned for this summer and the talents of the Faces of the Festival will be in demand.
“Our ambassadors will be assisting our marketing team in promoting the 2021 and 2022 Festival. The pair will work closely with the Toronto Caribbean Carnival team and to remind the world what the festival is all about! You will see them online, in print and at our live events,” explained Andre Newell, the Festival’s marketing director. “It isn’t just about the costumes. Lateisha and Celena will be talking to the community about how and why the festival is evolving. They will also be tackling challenging issues on women’s rights, body positivity, and discrimination.”
Lateisha Williams plays Mas with NBA great Jaamal Magloire’s The Revellers. She has also been an in-demand model for the annual Mas Band costume launches in the city. She maintains an active Instagram account with thousands of followers (#carnivalbae). When not involved with Carnival activities she is a social media expert with a downtown banking institution.
“Carnival is so near and dear to my heart, If you've ever seen me on road you understand,” posted Ms Williams on Instagram. “I'm happy to represent you all and will do my best to make our next carnival the best one yet!
Celena Seusahai (l)
Celena Seusahai is a former Queen of the Carnival here in Toronto and in Grand Cayman Island at the annual Batabano Carnival. A sought after costume designer and a gifted Mas Model, she is also the CEO of the Tribal Carnival mas band. She plays Mas throughout the Caribbean, in the USA and Canada, and has an international fan base through her Instagram site (#ceeforcarnival).
As the 2022 Face of the Festival she will be instrumental in promoting the relaunch of the annual parade on the streets of Toronto next summer!
The Face of the Festivals announcement was sponsored by Carib Beer and was made during the Toronto Caribbean Carnival officially kick off of the 2021 Festival Season. The virtual launch included a media press conference, followed by an Instagram Live Carnival updated hosted by former CP24 news reporter Brandon Gonez.
The online presser was watched by over 16,000 people live (and even more in Instagram reruns). Ontario Premier Doug Ford, Toronto Mayor John Tory, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, Deputy Mayor Michael Thompson, and soca recording artist Richardo Drue all took part in the launch.
Brandon Gonez announced the 2021 Festival Lineup of events including two exciting new programs, "Carnival Eats Passport Program", and a “Carnival Food Festival." The whole month of programming will begin on July 1st, concluding on Emancipation Day, Sunday, August 1st, 2021.
Lateisha Williams plays Mas with NBA great Jaamal Magloire’s The Revellers. She has also been an in-demand model for the annual Mas Band costume launches in the city. She maintains an active Instagram account with thousands of followers (#carnivalbae). Carnival activities she is a social media expert with a downtown banking institution.
“Carnival is so near and dear to my heart, If you've ever seen me on road you understand,” posted Ms Williams on Instagram. “I'm happy to represent you all and will do my best to make our next carnival the best one yet!
Celena Seusahai is a former Queen of the Carnival here in Toronto and on Grand Cayman at their annual Batabano Carnival. A sought after costume designer and a gifted Mas Model, she is also the CEO of the Tribal Carnival mas band. She plays Mas throughout the Caribbean, in the USA and Canada, and has an international fan base through her Instagram site (#ceeforcarnival).
As the 2022 Face of the Festival she will be instrumental in promoting the relaunch of the annual parade on the streets of Toronto next summer!
The Face of the Festivals announcement was sponsored by Carib Beer and was made during the Toronto Caribbean Carnival officially kick off of the 2021 Festival Season. The virtual launch included a media press conference, followed by an Instagram Live Carnival updated hosted by former CP24 news reporter Brandon Gonez.
The online presser was watched by over 16,000 people live (and even more in Instagram reruns). Ontario Premier Doug Ford, Toronto Mayor John Tory, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, Deputy Mayor Michael Thompson, and soca recording artist Richardo Drue all took part in the launch.
Brandon Gonez announced the 2021 Festival Lineup of events including two exciting new programs, "Carnival Eats Passport Program", and a “Carnival Food Festival." The whole month of programming will begin on July 1st, concluding on Emancipation Day, Sunday, August 1st, 2021.
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