16BB
AN INDEPENDENT SUPPLEMENT BY MIA MEDIA & COMMUNICATIONS GROUP TO THE SUN SENTINEL
By Ashley Andrews
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2016
Carnival Cultural Ambassador Gears Up
for 2016 Miami Broward Carnival
Caribbean cultural ambassador and
entertainment entrepreneur, Giselle
“The Wassi One” Blanche is notably the
hardest working woman in Carnival.
Born in New York to Trinidadian
parents, Blanche was exposed to soca
music and culture from an early age.
Having Calypsonian stars Barron and
Superblue as godfathers, she has always
been surrounded by Soca greatness and
the work ethic needed to make that
possible.
“My whole family is full of hard
workers who have passed on the cultural
ambassador torch to me,” says Blanche.
“My father instilled in me a spirit of hustle
and love for soca music at a very young
age.”
At the age of 14, Blanche made
history as the youngest mas band leader
for the “Wassi Ones”. Ever since, The
Wassi One has grown her mas band into
a one big family built on a foundation of
love, unity and positive vibes. Running
her own mas band for the past 29 years
is not an easy feat.
“It is important for us to not only
explore the surface of Carnival but to
bask in the heart and soul of it. Carnival
is not just merely an event, it is a spirit.”
says Blanche.
In addition to Wassi Ones, Blanches
runs a Junior Carnival mas band “Wassi
Babes.” This year’s Wassi Babes theme is
centered around global unity and
togetherness.
“It is important that we teach our kids
tolerance from a young age,” says
Blanche.
Being a full-time mom, entrepreneur,
artist and entertainer, one must question
how Blanche does it all. She credits her
strong family values to her
entrepreneurial success.
“My business is my personal life,” says
Blanche. “My career is so family oriented
that most times the two are intertwined.”
For those who’ve never experienced
Miami Carnival, Blanche describes it as a
supernatural experience.
“It’s something that everyone needs
to experience at least one in their life,”
says Blanche. “Carnival is full of
euphoria, freedom and total abandon of
all stress. It is truly life changing.”
Caribbean Cultural Ambassador
Giselle _The Wassi One_ Blanche