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New St Paul’s carnival chair announced
Three years ago, Dragons’ Den star Levi Roots was announced as the chair of the St Paul’s Carnival board.
Born in Jamaica, Roots is perhaps best known for appearing on the fourth season of the popular BBC show in 2007 where his ‘Reggae Reggae Sauce’ business idea gained funding from Peter Jones.
In 2021, when Roots was announced as chair, he said “I can’t wait to get started”.
is needed now More than ever
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the first year of Roots’ tenure saw St Paul’s Carnival celebrated online.
The first in-person Carnival to take place after the pandemic was in 2023.
Levi Roots with St Paul’s Carnival executive director, LaToyah McAllister-Jones, alongside Roy Hackett and Barbara Dettering – photo: St Pauls Carnival
Roots completed his three-year term as chair in September 2024.
Following the end of his tenure, on Thursday St Paul’s Carnival announced Dr Michele Curtis as the new chair of the board.
Dr Michele Curtis, who received an honorary degree from the University of Bristol in 2023, is an artist, illustrator and graphic designer who was born in Easton.
In 2014 she hosted her first art exhibition, Iconic Black Bristolians, at the lodge in St Agnes Park.
Michele Curtis in front of the Delores Campbell mural from the Seven Saints of St Paul’s series – photo: Michele Curtis
Curtis has perhaps best known for her Seven Saints of St Paul’s murals which went up in 2015.
Located along the route of St Paul’s Carnival, the seven murals highlight influential Black Bristolians including co-founders of St Paul’s Carnival like Delores Campbell and Roy Hackett.
Roy Hackett, who passed away in 2022, is one of seven influential Black Bristolians highlighted in the Seven Saints of St Paul’s murals – photo: boomsatsuma
On her appointment, Curtis said: “This week, I celebrate the ten year anniversary of my Iconic Black Bristolians exhibition and my appointment as chair to St Pauls Carnival CIC.
“As I reflect on my journey, I cannot ignore the fortunate stroke of serendipity.
“I have gone full circle, representing carnival of the past and the future.
“In honour of my mentors and supporters, Carmen (Beckford), Roy (Hackett), Albert (Stewart), Barbara (Dettering), Paul (Stephenson) and the ancestors who have inspired my work and my journey so far, I want to say thank you as I welcome this new chapter with open arms.
“I am excited to work with the team and board of St Pauls Carnival CIC, and continue to leave a
legacy of carnival that is indicative of the vision and mission of its founders.
“A carnival that is sustainable and continues to share, educate, celebrate and preserve our rich
African Caribbean Heritage for future generations.”
Curtis says she is excited to work with the St Paul’s Carnival team – photo: Bhagesh Sachania
LaToyah McAllister-Jones, the chief executive of St Paul’s carnival said: “The appointment of Michele as the new Chair is a very positive start to a new phase for St Pauls Carnival.
“Having a strong voice from the community, one that has such close links to the Carnival community and its founders, is fantastic for the organisation.
“I have admired Michele’s work since moving to Bristol in 2015 and the Seven Saints is so deeply connected to how we have framed our work over the past 6 years. I very much look forward to working with her and
the Board.”
St Paul’s Carnival will return in 2025.
Main photo: Michele Curtis
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