BringJoy

Conch Pride with Kawana Staffney-Ashe

• Joy Nulisch • Season 6 • Episode 77

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The rhythm of Key West lives in more than palm-lined streets and sunset applause—it lives in the hands of kids learning steel pan, the breath behind a sax, and the beat of a second line that heals a community. We sit down with Executive Director Kawana from the Bahama Village Music Program to explore how free music education keeps Bahamian and Cuban roots alive while opening new doors with a DJ class that pulls teens into the fold. From first lessons to festival stages, this is a story about culture as a living classroom and mentorship as the backbone of local pride.

You’ll meet Matthew, a young saxophonist whose national anthem solos and soulful tributes led to Berklee acceptance and scholarship support. His journey is powered by the Crooks Second Line, a February tradition that raises funds to send students to Berklee’s Aspire program while honoring loved ones with a Key West–style parade. Names are spoken, horns sing, Junkanoos march, and the island remembers together—grief and joy intertwined in the most Conch way possible.

We also dig into the everyday work: teaching across genres so kids build real range, shouting out the teachers and board members who keep the program humming, and celebrating the Pep Squad’s high-octane school spirit. Beyond the music, we talk about the village that still looks out for its youth, the loss of old hangouts that once kept teens busy, and the fight to preserve what matters—Goombe homecomings, the Conch accent, and the sense that neighbors show up without being asked. Kawana’s definition of Conch pride lands it: unconditional love, loud and clear. And joy? It’s the spark in a kid’s eyes when the music finally clicks.

If this conversation moved you, share it with a friend, subscribe for more local stories, and leave a quick review to help others find the show. Want to help send a Key West kid to Berklee? Donate and spread the word—your support keeps the rhythm going.

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Opening And Community Shoutout

Joy Nulisch

Thanks for tuning in to the conks of Bring Joy Podcast. I'm your host, Joy Newlich. I'm a first generation conk raised by a force. What does that add up to? A whole lot of conk pride. And that's what this show is all about. Celebrating the incredible people of Key West and their stories from every corner of our conk community. So sit back and relax, cuz. Let's do this thing. This episode is sponsored by Ramonas, promoting Kong Pride since 1971.

SPEAKER_01

What's up? My name's Matthew Bastellata, and I'm a musician, a young musician down here in Key West. I just wanted to give a huge shout out and a big thank you to Miss Kowana Staffany Ash. Miss Kowana does a lot of great work around town, and you know, she's a great mentor, somebody that you can ask for help, talk to, you know, like whatever you really need, Miss Kowana got you. So yeah. Huge thank you to Miss Kowana, and you know, just wanted to wanted to show my gratitude and my appreciation for you. So yeah. Miss Kowana's brought a lot of um opportunities to me that I wouldn't have seen if it wasn't for her and her great work. So thank you so much, Miss K. Uh, we love you, and uh keep it up.

Bahama Village Music Program Mission

Joy Nulisch

Matthew, Bosri Lada, and his wonderful saxophone. Welcome to the show, Kawana.

SPEAKER_03

Well, thank you for having me, Joy. I appreciate being here.

Joy Nulisch

Hey, it's a long time coming. I know we've been talking about it for a while, and I know you've got big things coming up with the program. So let's get right into it. Tell me about the Bahama Village Music Program. What's the mission?

SPEAKER_03

Mission of Bahama Village Music Program is to provide free music lessons for students ages six to eighteen. Because normally they wouldn't have access to these programs. So we do anything from individual lessons on violin, guitar, bass, drums. We also do still pan instruction, the junker news, and our newest class, the DJ class, which has been a phenomenal addition to the program.

Joy Nulisch

I love that you have programming that goes back and keeps our tradition alive, like the junker news, but you're also current with the DJ. I saw a few videos recently, and I know the kids love that. That'll keep the kids coming back.

SPEAKER_03

Absolutely. It was something that I felt like it's necessary. It has always been my personal mission to bridge the gaps between the younger generation and the older generation. So to bring them in our world and make sure that we enter their world and never forget where we came from.

Joy Nulisch

Oh, that's good stuff. And speaking of the junker news, you know, um I grew up in the 70s, and when I think of music in Key West, the first thing I think of the Junker News, how many kids are part of the junior junker news program? And what does that mean to you to keep that going?

SPEAKER_03

It can range anywhere from about 20, 30 students, depending on the event. It's a multi-generation. The instructor is Harold Pelotti, and he was an original junk of new. He's been doing it since he was four years old, and he has carried on the family tradition with our kids, and he has made it possible for them to understand what it is all about, where it comes from. He's even teaching them how to make costumes, how to make the instruments, and everything. So it is crucial because it is a huge part of our culture, considering that Bahama Village was mainly consisting of Bahamians and Cubans. So it's a huge part of that of our tradition.

Joy Nulisch

Yeah, you know, when the Junkanous were coming, you knew it was a party mostly. You know, you talk about the costumes and the whistles and the drums, and it was like, you know, chances are you were out of prey. Not always. Sometimes it may be, you know, a funeral. Uh because there's, you know, music, there's always a place for music, right?

Traditions: Junkanoo And New DJ Class

SPEAKER_03

But uh, and you're supposed to celebrate. That's what a funeral is. It's it's a celebration, it's not a somber moment. So why not do that with the power of music? Music has a way to unify, diversify, and just uh it's just there's power, tremendous power.

Joy Nulisch

Yeah, and we we could use a lot of music right now.

SPEAKER_03

Absolutely, absolutely.

Joy Nulisch

Across the island and across this country, we need to tune in to the music. That's for that's for sure. Music and a smile, right? It's like the universal language.

SPEAKER_03

That's true, that's true. I use music for everything. I mean, it helps me get through the good times and it helps me get through the bad times. There's nothing like it.

Joy Nulisch

You mentioned the Cuban uh culture here. Um, the other thing I think about is the comparsa. So I think of the junk of news and I think of the comparsa. Any chance that we'll see the comparsa back again?

SPEAKER_03

I'm so glad you said that. One thing I want to start going into um our new season is a Latin percussion ensemble. I'm loving the timbales and the kungas and all of that good stuff, and I want to bring that back too. So, and we have a huge population that contributes to that and making that stuff happen. So, definitely something we want to add to the program going into the future.

Joy Nulisch

So, so let's back up a minute and tell me, you're currently the executive director of the program. Tell me how you got involved and what is your role, what's your responsibility as the executive director?

Culture, Celebration, And Music’s Healing Power

SPEAKER_03

So, I actually started out with the music program as a volunteer. My son was a part of the after-school program through the city of Kiwis, and then he went and had lessons at the music program. So I volunteered, helped out, chaperone trips, things like that. And then I love the mission and I love what it did, and I have a natural love for music myself. So it was kind of funny. Um, the former executive director, Caitlin Duncan, was having a baby, and she reached out to me and told me to apply, and I did, and here I am. And it's been a great ride ever since. I mean, it's just one thing. I've never played an instrument, however, singing has always been my instrument of choice. But I know music, I love music, and I have a good ear for it. So it's been great to grow with these children. Um, mainly my role is just to facilitate, make sure that the kids get the lessons that they need and require. Um, I also like to make sure I educate. So um a lot of times students and that come in, and even some of the parents don't realize that there is more than one genre to play and play well. And so I it is my job, I take it on as my mission, to make sure that we hit everything. So I introduce funk, I introduce classical, I introduce some jazz, I introduce some of the old 70s hits that we grew up on, um, even some of the 80s stuff that we grew up on. I um recently had um from my grandmother's ser funeral services, I had one of my wonderful students, Matteo Bastiata, and he played saxophone. And he did he did Jesus' love from the Commodores. Never knew the Commodores, he had no idea what the Commodores were. But when I tell you this child played with his heart and soul, and just from learning a song on Monday, and by Thursday, he had a down pat. So I mean, and then just him being able to connect with a song that came out in the 70s. And he's well, you know, he's a baby, he's a baby, knew nothing about that. So it's just great to see them make those connections and then associate their feelings with some of that stuff from the past. It's also it's awesome to hear, it's awesome to witness, and and these kids are genius, they're they're just sheer genius, all of it.

Joy Nulisch

I'm glad you mentioned Matt. I had the opportunity to get to know him over the last few years. He comes out to the baseball games and plays a national anthem, so we all fell in love with him. You talk about some of the highlights of the program. Think it's fair to say that he's one of the shining stars.

SPEAKER_03

He surely is. I mean, when we lost Coach Dexter Butler, I wanted to do something special because our kids needed to heal. And so I called him up and I said, Listen, we're gonna have a candlelight vigil. I think I organized that in an hour's time and had a tremendous outpouring of love out in the front of HOB. And he led, you know, everything that night, playing the saxophone. And from that moment, he has taken off. Taken off. And everyone in the community has embraced him in such a wonderful, wonderful way. Last year, um, for the music program, we sent him to Berkeley School of Music in Boston, and they got to witness what we get to witness all the time. And I'm losing my baby in August to Berkeley School of Music. But I'm happy for him because he has a beautiful gift. A beautiful, beautiful gift, and he has a beautiful spirit. So I I mean, I'm just overjoyed at the things that he's doing and what he's about to do because he's gonna make his mark in the music world for sure.

Joy Nulisch

Absolutely, I agree, and we'll all be there cheering for him, that's for sure. Um, so you mentioned him going to the Berkeley camp. Talk about some of the fundraisers that you have because what an opportunity that you provided him to be seen on such a big stage. So, talk about some of the fundraising and you know, some of the events that are coming up, things that you have going on, and where does that money go?

Latin Percussion Plans And Community Roots

SPEAKER_03

So, the main fundraiser that we use for Berkeley is the Crook Second Line. And the Crook Second Line is always in February, and it's an annual event. And what we do there is celebrate and honor the loved ones that we've lost in a New Orleans tradition second line, but with a key west twist. And the one thing about that is all the funds that we raise from that event goes towards sending students to the five-week Berkeley School of Music Aspire program. And when they're there, they get to play with musicians from all over the world, same age as them, instructors from all over the world. They learn different genres of music to play, they play in various ensembles, and they have an opportunity to earn a scholarship to Berkeley School of Music, should that be their desired choice. So last year when we sent Matthew, he was able to go and audition, and he was accepted to Berkeley School of Music and will be going in August. He was awarded a scholarship for$23,000. And I'm sending him back this year to hopefully get a full ride to Berkeley School of Music. So that is what we do with that money from the Crook Second Line. That's why it's so important. It's also an event that allows closure for families and just allows everyone to comfort and hug on each other. Um, this year, especially, we've gotten some wonderful uh verdicts in the eyes of the law. And so we're able to celebrate for sure Gary Hughes and Letitia Else with extra, extra special love and attention because um justice was served on behalf of both of those individuals, and they have been previous honorees. Um I just love the event. I have a man, I have a man and or woman who come to me every time and hug me with tears in their eyes, thanking us for the event that we hold and how much it means to them. And people come from all over just to make sure that they're there at the event to celebrate their loved ones. So that is one of our major events that we have every year.

Joy Nulisch

And that's uh February 15th, I believe.

Kawana’s Path To Executive Director

SPEAKER_03

February 15th, 2026, this year. I usually try to have it the Sunday before President's Day every year, so that that way you can take a day of rest because it's a long day. It's a long, long day.

Joy Nulisch

That's good stuff. And is the community welcome to go out and and you know, line the sidewalks?

SPEAKER_03

Absolutely. We encourage you to come out and come line the sidewalks and see all of the beautiful honorees that the photo package that are being held by the parade goers, and you can see the individuals, you can celebrate, you can feel the love when they walked across. We have a second-line band that joins us. It's usually held led by uh skipper cripplets, but we also have Key West High School students who join in and play, and then we have the junior junkanoos and the regular junkanoos on the back. We have a conch train for those who can't walk. So there is no excuse come out and celebrate and party with us. And then we usually end at the green parrot, at which point we name each honoree, we say their name because it is more important to make sure that not only are they seen, but they are heard. And we usually end that day with singing It's a Wonderful World, and there's a lot of hugs, there's a lot of tears, and but there's so much joy. Beautiful.

Joy Nulisch

If there is someone who um maybe can't go to the event, maybe they're not here in Key West that's watching, maybe they're watching after the event has happened. Is there a way that people can contribute to Bahama Village Music Program?

SPEAKER_03

Absolutely. They're welcome to. If they want to tribute on contribute on behalf of Crooks, they can go to Crooks Secondline KWAltogether.com and they can contribute and donate that way. And if they are wishing to donate to the Bahama Village Music Program, you can go to www.bvmpkw.com, which is our acronym for obviously Bahama Village Music Program Key West.

Joy Nulisch

Very good. And I'll be sure to put those some links there on the screen and drop them in the comments as well. You know, all the success you talk about with the program and the time you spent, that can't happen without great teachers and champions of the program. Any shout outs you want to give to some of your teachers and other board members? Absolutely.

Teaching Genre Range And Student Breakthroughs

SPEAKER_03

Absolutely. We've had um Nora Revelin, who's been our steel pan instructor forever, who was a former teacher. Uh we have Mr. Harold Pelotti, that's my right-hand man, who does the Junior Junkinus, and he's just so amazing. We also have Deacon, um, well, he's a deacon in the church, but he's also uh DJ in the streets, and that's Dino Gaines. And he's our DJ class instructor. We have an alumni of the Bahama Village Music Program, which is Shalisa Page, and she does our dance class. She also helps out with the Junkanoo dancers. Uh, we also have Miss Marcy Rose, and she handles our violins class. Caitin Duncan has, even though she's not executive director, she hasn't left us as the choir director, so she's also there still and amazing. And our board members, we have Clayton Lopez, we have Larry Bader, Ralph De Palma, we have Ben Harrison, we have Tara Stansbury, who's been our wonderful uh bookkeeper and helper, also. I mean, we just have a great support system all the way around. And we have several volunteers that we can always count on when we need to. And if anyone is interested in joining the board, feel free to reach out. We are always having open spots for people who are willing to come in and work. We also have two new addition board members, and that's um Don Alberry and Yasmin Pender.

Joy Nulisch

Ah, good stuff. You dropped some good names right there. You talked about Clayton Lopez and Larry Bender, talk about great musicians right there, and Ben Harrison. I'm having Ben on the show. In fact, we need to connect again and get it scheduled. He's got uh he's got a show going on in the back room at Key West Theater. Anyone out there want to hear some good music? He's got a show happening during the winter months. So a lot of support, it's a wonderful community in that way, right?

SPEAKER_03

Definitely that. I I will say, and when it comes to the kids, there's just nothing that the community won't do. And that's that's the great part about being a conch, born and raised. And you know, they always talk about born and raised in the county a day, but no, born and raised in the county of Monroe is unlike any other.

Joy Nulisch

Believe that, cuz believe that. And I love to watch you move about the community when you're not working with the Bahama Village Music Program. I see you a lot of times at Key West High School because you're the sponsor of the Pep Squad. Let's talk about the Pep Squad a little bit and give those kids some love.

SPEAKER_03

Well, the Pep Squad, I will tell you, um, I know there was one at Key West High School before. So when the great Joanne Webster passed on, I said, you know what? There is nothing like hearing that voice at a basketball game. And for whatever reason, basketball just wasn't getting enough love for me. And I love basketball. The principal here at HOV allowed me to start the team here in 2023. And I had 50 kids and it's been amazing. It's been amazing ever since. And then one game we visited, and this is when Coach Dexter was Dexter was still alive, we visited over to Key West High School because he said he was a teacher here at HOB. And he said, Y'all are so great, come over to one of our games. So I said, sure, no problem. We came to their game and Palomino was like, Hey, I want that here. I want that here. And I was like, No problem. No problem. So we came out and we had a good 30, 30, 35 students the first year. And I mean, it's it gets tough only because once at the high school level, there's so many things to participate in. But I will tell you, there is nothing that beats the feeling of that pep squad on those bleachers for the boys. And I mean, even the players know our stuff. And they join in and they look for us.

Joy Nulisch

I had Tommy on the show. He was a great, great interview. And um, I've been to quite a few games to support him and the kids, and I see the pep squad, and you're right, there's nothing like the pep squad. And you know, it's kind of my thing to be the hype girl, you know, and a cheerleader. So, this is the question. Do you think I have what it takes to be a member of the Kiwas High School Pep Squad?

SPEAKER_04

Absolutely, absolutely you got it.

Joy Nulisch

I'm gonna slide in next to you guys next time, though. I mean, it's like I can't. You're always welcome. I could clap and stomp at the same time.

SPEAKER_03

You're always welcome. I would never turn you away, Cuzzy.

Joy Nulisch

That's good stump. I I love it. Um, I enjoy watching the kids. Besides basketball, what other sports does the Pep Squad support?

SPEAKER_03

This year at HOV, we started doing the volleyball. And it was good. We did volleyball for the first time and tried that out. Hoping going and we did football also as well. Did um some of their uh playoff games. So I'm hoping moving into this next school year that we could just hit a little bit of everything. Someone said we should go out to baseball, but I think that'd be too much of an interruption out there at the baseball field.

Joy Nulisch

Hey, well, listen, listen. You know, I'm like the president of the fan club out there, the K crew. We sit right there behind home plate. So I'm we'll see because we got horns and bells and everything else. So as long as 17 doesn't throw us out, I'll I'll make room for y'all. Let's see what happens in the playoffs.

Spotlight On Matthew And Berklee Journey

SPEAKER_03

Let me tell you something. I think they would kick us out of the baseball field once we got through shaking and rattling those bleaches. Although it would be interesting, I will tell you. It definitely would give it another atmosphere for baseball.

Joy Nulisch

Yeah, we have to see. Maybe we can start something. We heard it here first. Hey, so you mentioned HOB a couple times. Just in case we don't we have someone out there um listening that doesn't know, you also work at HOB Horse O'Brien uh school as a parent professional. How long have you been working with the school district now?

SPEAKER_03

I've been here since 2019 and started off as just a regular pairer, and now I've worked up to in school suspension. So I'm not always on the favorite person's list of someone. That's a tough crowd. But it's okay. It's okay. I take it in stride because you know, it's not necessary to rule with an iron fist. It is necessary to be firm, but it's it's even more necessary to follow that firmness with love so that they understand that it's coming from a good place. You just want what's best for them. And so I enjoy doing what I do. I really do.

Joy Nulisch

I know they're lucky to have you when you you talked about being firm. And you know, I worked for the school district 35 years. When I first started out, I was across the hall from one of the great legends, Julia Allen.

SPEAKER_03

Yeah. Oh my goodness.

Joy Nulisch

And she told me, you know, because I was just out of high school, young and dumb, didn't know what I was doing. And uh she told me, You got those kids calling you joy. I said, Yes, ma'am. She said, Well, that's fine. She says, all I'm asking you to do is be consistent, you know, and that was great advice that I really kept throughout my whole career, right? However, you're gonna show up, be consistent. Because those kids at that age have enough up and down going on. That's for sure.

SPEAKER_03

And the thing that a lot of people don't get with this generation, because it's different from you and I. We were able to be guided easily, not so much anymore. You gotta listen. And I think that's where people fall short, is they don't listen. And yes, these students, they may be difficult, however, they have a voice. I think that a lot of pro a lot of the problem is that they don't listen to this generation because you feel like sometimes you're older, you got more knowledge, or what have you, but they do have something to contribute, and their struggle is way different from what our struggle was.

Joy Nulisch

So your reach with the kids in this community is why from Bahama Village Music Program, Horse O'Brien School, and the Pep Squad. What does that mean to you? Because I know you're born and raised here in Key West, and let's shift gears and talk about Key West. What does it mean to you to be able to give back to the community that you grew up in?

The Crooks Second Line Fundraiser

SPEAKER_03

It was what happened with me. So I'm only doing, I'm only repeating what I got because when I was coming up, you had uh Betty Cox, you had Miss Vina Mace Saunders, you had Ramona Richardson, you had Miss Tines, you had all of these people who will pour into you and look out for you, teach you right from wrong, guide you in the proper direction. I mean, just give you things that you just couldn't pay for or read out of a book. And so to me, it's more important that I pass that along to this generation and give them the same thing that I was given so that they could be a better person too, and be able to contribute and give back just like me. I mean, it would be a waste if I didn't pay it forward what I learned. I don't get holding on to that for myself. I'm not a selfish person like that. And I feel like a lot of the times we we cling so tight to something that is ours or that we were taught or what have you. And really they need to learn it. They need to know it. They need to be able to relate to it so that they can be better and then know that you're relatable at the same time. I really am all about just giving on the knowledge that I received and just let it keep flowing and flowing and flowing and flowing so that this generation can get it and then they can pass it on to the next generation and so on and so forth. It's just important to keep it going, never to let it stop. Because when you stop, just like Spanish, when you don't use it, you lose it. Exactly. Same thing, same thing.

Joy Nulisch

Exactly. And um, I was talking to uh m Michelle Myra Cohen, had her on the show, and she talked about it. If we don't, who will? It's our responsibility as this generation of Kongs, every every generation, we have to keep those things alive, right?

SPEAKER_03

I mean, look at our island. Look how much is gone away. And all we have are the memories from when you and I were growing up. The things that were here when we were growing up are no longer here. These kids wouldn't know what a magic carpet golf is. These kids would never know what Mr. Donut was, what what Tape Ape was, what the arcade was on Duval Street, you know, the Burger King that was down there at the end of Duval Street, they they wouldn't know the Friday night City League football games that was the place to be. They would not know. They just wouldn't, they wouldn't know unless we tell them. And it's just sad because I will say, you know, there's not enough in this community for these teenagers to do. So when you're angry about them doing the wrong things, you're not giving them an option. There's not even a baseball field, a basketball field, uh baseball that's not like run by a league. You know, thank goodness for the PAL league at the Douglas Gym, you have that as an outlet. But we used to have a bowling alley, we used to have skating rings, we used to have all those things. Go-kart racing. We had we had things to do. We were able to stay busy. And they have none of that now. And so you just your mind wonders on what you can do to make it better. And so knowledge is one, and trying to fight through the city to see what we can bring back to our island for these kids to save them because the streets is not a place to be.

Joy Nulisch

And we definitely have to be the voice, you know, and keep the conversation alive for sure. Um, the cost of living and everything else is, you know, unfortunately squeezing a lot of families out of here, which brings up to another topic. You're raising your own family, you and your husband are raising your family here. What's that like to be able to raise your own family here? And what are some of the traditions that call traditions that you hope to instill in your kids that they'll carry on?

SPEAKER_03

Well, raising my family here has been priceless, I will say. And although Kiwis isn't crime-free, it's definitely a place where I don't have to worry. There is still that tradition to where if my child gets in trouble on Whitehead Street, they're gonna catch it on Thomas Street and they're gonna catch it on Emma Street until they get home. You know? So that village is still there. The village is smaller than what it used to be, but it's still there. There's not a time that my child, any of my children, could do anything, and I don't get a phone call. I I try to tell them that all the time. They just don't realize it yet. But that's the beauty of here. There's not closed eyes and closed ears. Everyone is looking out for everyone. And I do love that about this place. I tell you, there's nothing matched. And I've been other places, but there's none, there's nothing like Key West in that regard. Gumbang is the biggest tradition for my kids. And and I will tell you, they've been fussing about it, changing. But I would I told them that's the time. Not it's not about the street festival, it's not about the rides, whether they're here or not, but it is the time when everybody comes home. Everybody comes home.

Joy Nulisch

That's a bike drop moment right there. Say that one more time.

How To Participate And Honor Loved Ones

SPEAKER_03

It's a time when everybody comes home. You get to see faces that you haven't seen in years. And you get to share stories and moments that you can keep with you for a lifetime. But that is the time that you see face. Oh my gosh, I saw faces that I've never seen before. It's not class reunions, it's not even family reunions. It's goombe. It's goombe. That is the main thing for me, is to make sure. And so I joined the Goombe committee this year so I can help be a part of that as well. And and even institute some things mainly for the young people and some other opportunities. But I will tell you, Goombe is home. I love that.

Joy Nulisch

How long have you been here? Tell me about the connections. You used I know you grew up here, you're multi-generation. Tell me about some of the family tree and what are the roots that you belong to.

SPEAKER_03

I was born here in 1976 when the Naval Hospital was still here. Um my dad was, he grew, he graduated from high school. My mom graduated in 77. Um, my grandmother, who just passed, she had to attend high school at Cornish Memorial AME Zion Church. What's your grandma's name? Consuelo Valdez Pender. She was born in Tampa, but they came here shortly after. My great-grandfather, Alejandro Valdez, was from Cuba. He was a cigar maker. And my great-grandmother, Edna Howard, she was in Tampa as well, and then we came and set our rules here. But at Cornish, that was the only place where black people could be educated. So she went to school downstairs below the church and graduated from high school there. Started the family. She's been in Fort Village, and then she was in Robert Gabriel or what have you. And we're all part of the Majors, the Sawyers, Valdez's, Richardson's, Pendas. We go so far down the line, the Hall family. It's insane. It's insane how big this family really, really is. And our family name, anyone who says it, we are the Jack O's. Where that came from, don't know. But I grew up being a Jack O.

Joy Nulisch

And and hey, out of all your family members that are still around, who do you think I should have on the show as a guest?

SPEAKER_03

Ooh, that's a good one. That is a good one. Oh my goodness. Whoo, girl, I have to think about that.

Joy Nulisch

Yeah, well, if you if you if you think of anyone that would actually talk to me, uh, I think about your mama, but I know your mama's a little shy.

Donating And Program Links

SPEAKER_03

Oh, she is so shy. She she would not. If if my grandmother was still living, I would tell you her. Because she she just did an interview with uh Taniki Jones, who's also from Key West. It's on her YouTube page, and that was her last interview. And she just loved telling her stories, honey. She loved it, loved it, loved it, loved it. I would have to really think on that and get back with you for sure.

Joy Nulisch

Yeah, because you know, one of the reasons why I'm doing this show is is to capture the stories and the names and even the sound of our conch accents. When I hear you say those names, and when you start talking about Key West, it's like an accent, it just comes out. And then people want to say, Oh, you must be from Boston or Louisiana. I'm like, no, that's a conch accent. And then they argue that it's not that and and it's like that's part of the reason why I want to do this show, just to hear the sound of our our accent, you know.

SPEAKER_03

Students argue all the time and tell me the way I talk, I'm from New York. I said I've never been to New York a day of my life.

Joy Nulisch

You see what I'm saying?

SPEAKER_03

I've never been. How I mean, but if it sounds like that, then okay, I guess. But this is how I've always talked all my life. So I don't know.

Joy Nulisch

Yes, and certainly we've been influenced, right? From from visitors that come down, and this islands always, you know, welcome immigrants and you know, different people. Um, so so yeah, probably it's uh um a mosh, a quilt of you know, other uh accents, but it's our own, you know, and that is starting, you know, talk about magic carpet golf and the bowling alleys and things like that, leaving even our own accent, you know, the the way that we sound, the QS sound, the conk sound.

SPEAKER_03

Fastbook Freddy's on Duvall Street just to see the displays that was what a highlight.

Joy Nulisch

That was a highlight.

Shoutouts To Teachers And Board

SPEAKER_03

Yeah, I used to be in there for hours just looking around. Yeah. Just to see, to see the new displays. And then we had, we still had the strand when it was the strand, and and we had all the movie, the old movie theater. We had so much. You know, it's just so sad for me sometimes to just look at how it's changed. And I just, I ain't gonna lie, like, if I tell my husband all the time, if I could snap my fingers so my kids could experience even the island in the 80s, they would feel so much different. And they would understand why we love it and appreciate it so much. I mean, even on Pronia, we had the conch shop, my favorite place to eat on a Friday and Saturday, and get my Kung Fritters and my cheeseburger in the box and stuff like that. Johnson's grocery store, Julian's grocery store, Floyd Barbershop. I mean, there was so much, so so much. I I like I'll tell you, snap my fingers one time and just let these kids experience it, even if it was for 24 hours.

Joy Nulisch

Yeah. Yeah, a a day in the life of a conk in the 80s or the 70s, right?

SPEAKER_03

Yeah. Right, right. But you know, change is inevitable. It is. And and we just have to make sure that we preserve the things that we do know existed.

Joy Nulisch

Absolutely. And I'm glad, I'm glad that you're a part of that, you know, that you grew up with those traditions. The traditions are important to you, and now you're putting yourself in a position to take on that and to share the stories, and our culture and heritage is so so important. I'm glad that you're a champion for the conk culture for sure. What are some of the things, as much as it's changed? We won't go anywhere, right? This is home. What are some of the things that you love about Key West?

SPEAKER_03

Food is one unmatched. I can't get Cuban food the way I get Cuban food at home. That is one thing. Miss Vendus Kunkfrit is the best thing. A lot of the social organizations that are within the community, so you have like the Masons and the Elks, and you have the Eastern Stars, those community service groups, you have Unity in the community, those things like that, there is nothing like the outpouring of love in this community. And I just I wouldn't change it for nothing in the world. I mean, even if you don't even know the person, the fact that you're there to support that person is just great. It takes nothing but the coconut telegraph to tell you what's going on, and you jump into action. Our community jumps into action to help. And I just I love that about this place. And and that's not like that everywhere. That's not like that everywhere.

Joy Nulisch

I've I've never lived anywhere else, so I don't have anything to compare it to. I do believe it's a city like no other, and it starts with the community and the people. So I really enjoyed it talking to you. You know, every episode's a little different, every guest brings their own uh vibe and story to the to the show. But I always ask two questions, the same two questions of every guest to wrap it up. So are you ready for them? I'm ready. What does conch pride mean to you?

Pep Squad Energy And School Spirit

SPEAKER_03

Kunk pride is love, conk pride is love, straight up and down, unparalleled, unconditional love. That is conch pride. I believe my crimson and gray, and I wouldn't change it for nothing in the world. I love it. Love that. What brings you joy, Kawana? What brings me joy? Youth brings me joy. And I'm not talking about mine, because honey, I'm knocking on 50.

Joy Nulisch

You can't be, you can't be 50, because then that means I'm 60.

SPEAKER_03

I'll be 50 this year. But no, the youth, because when you see the light bulbs go on, when you see the smiles, when you see the connections, when you feel the connections that you make, and then you see them grow and grow in this thing that are so fabulous, that's that's just priceless. You can't match that. And that makes me so happy. It it makes me full. Because everything in the world could be going wrong, and then you got that one kid that just comes and says, you know, hey, Miss K, I love you. And it just makes it all right. That's it. It makes it alright. And then you just forget your troubles. You really, really do. And you can't match that feeling.

Joy Nulisch

I I I I love that so much. I really appreciate you taking time. I know you've been so busy, got all kinds of good things going on. I love watching you move through the community. Like I said, I love seeing you do what you do, seeing you raise your own family, all your success. I just pray for that to continue forward for you. And uh, last thing, go conks. Hold on.

SPEAKER_03

Well, no, this is the last thing. Oh, okay. Okay, okay, way down in the valley. I heard I heard a great noise. It was a mighty, mighty conk.

Joy Nulisch

Just a beating them, boys. We promised what's the back. Gonna win this game.

SPEAKER_03

Gonna win this game, man. We'll send them back home.

Joy Nulisch

That's it. That's Mike Joint. Let's go. This episode is sponsored by Ramonis, promoting Cork Pride since 1971. I'm Joy Newleas, and I appreciate you tuning into my podcast. My purpose is to bring joy into my life and the lives of others. If you enjoyed this episode, drop a review, share, and subscribe because there's a lot of good stuff on tech. You can also follow Bring Joy on YouTube and Instagram, or check my website at joynoolish.com. Now go bring joy to the people in your world. Until next time, watch out.

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Joy Nulisch

Host