Carnival is Black History: A Conversation (7p - 9p)
The Carnival is Black History panel featured an engaging conversation between Dr. Cathy Thomas and Adam “Foreigner” Cooper, delving into the expansive cultural, political, and historical significance of Carnival across the African diaspora. This dialogue explores how Carnival, born from resistance and reclamation, transcends borders—linking communities from Trinidad to Brazil, New Orleans to Haiti—each embodying distinct expressions of liberation, joy, and defiance.

About Dr. Cathy Thomas:
Dr. Cathy Thomas is an Assistant Professor of English at the University of California, Santa Barbara. Her work focuses on comparative studies of Black Carnivals across the African diaspora, with a particular emphasis on how Black women resist, show up, and dominate within Carnival spaces. Using autoethnographic approaches, her work connects the threads between Caribbean, Brazilian, and North American Carnival traditions, offering critical insights into how these celebrations serve as sites of both personal and collective liberation.

About Adam "Foreigner" Cooper:
Adam "Foreigner" Cooper is a DJ, designer and strategist best known for producing LA's most sought after Afro-Caribbean experiences. Hailing from Trinidad & Tobago, and raised in Caracas and Brooklyn, Foreigner's life has positioned him to forge unique, dynamic connections between the Caribbean, West Africa, and the Americas.

Rooted in Pan-African philosophy, his storytelling through graphic design, event production and genre-bending D, sets have garnered acclaim in the city, culminating in LA Weekly's Best Parties of 2023 accolade for Junkyard Jouvert and Roadblock™ as well as features in LA Times and Resident Advisor for his contribution to LA's cultural scene.

Carnival Is Black History — A Conversation with Dr. Cathy Thomas & Adam "Foreigner" Cooper

Hey, it’s Alyssa.

Canadian ting with Jamaican roots. Tropical pop sweeterboi. Queerdo. Lyricist predominantly, with awkward, earnest vocal stylings. Making music with beats by bae: tmrwnght.

:: forward thinking underground club music ::
@busybandulusound :: @ruffhouse-industries

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Blessing stations like Rinse FM, Radio80000 and Refuge Worldwide with her forward-thinking club sets, Ani Innocent seamlessly blends bass-driven riddims and dreamy melodies. As part of the DJ collective Busy Bandulu Sound, the upfront club music label Ruffhouse Industries and part of Schlachthofbronx' Hypie Hypie Partys, she integrates hardcore music in a playful and queer-friendly way.

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Carnival Is Black History — A Conversation with Dr. Cathy Thomas & Adam "Foreigner" Cooper

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