Today we’d like to introduce you to Jennifer H Desire.
Jennifer, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I am a 24 year old born and raised Haitian, however, I’ve lived in the US for ten years.
While in Haiti my mother owned a nightclub. As a child, I used to go with her all the time and just watch the way she ran the business. One of our traditions was me planning my own birthday parties. I was in charge of everything from the dancers to the DJ to the food and everything else in between. Though my mother focused more so on weddings, my passion and gift for event planning certainly stems from her. Fusion Showcase as an idea, however, began here in Florida after spending so much time around some of the most talented artists in the city.
At first, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do. The original idea was to start an open mic; however, after doing my own research and interning at different event companies in the city I decided to switch to showcases. Artist showcases provided a more controlled environment where you can specifically curate the energy within the space. That was my ultimate goal: to be able to create a space where artists will truly be heard, opportunities will be created, and the community will leave better than they came.
The intention was not to make this a life long endeavor, but the interest grew and grew as I spent more time within the music industry and/or around artists. I quickly started buying books, reading, and taking online courses to learn everything I could. The majority of my circle (friends and family) consisted of artists who were already well versed in the industry, and I am a firm believer that never ending learning is the catalyst to becoming a better human with each day. So once I realized this was a goal of mine I dove as deep as I could into all the knowledge I could find about the music industry. I studied the booking process, how talent buyers work, how to pay artists, how to book venues, marketing, promotions and so much more.
Eventually, I found this passion in me that I did not know existed. It shook me to my core because I was being asked to drop everything I ever thought was for me to follow God’s best for me and pursue a career in the entertainment industry. Full of fear and faith, I left everything I originally planned behind. I started getting more involved in music in any and every way I could find. I placed myself in recording sessions, writing sessions, meetings with entertainment lawyers and management teams. I found people that could teach me about streaming rights, artist development, and performance production. Before I could realize what was happening… I was doing more than I ever realized all the while paying my own bills fully funded by a dream I never knew I had.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
This is something that nobody knows, but my brain translates things to French before I can understand what is being said to me. English is my fourth language, which I taught myself upon moving to the US. This language barrier is hard to admit because to me it feels like a weakness. No matter the circumstances I have to work 5x’s harder than my counterparts for several reasons: I am a black woman, a business woman in the music industry, a foreign woman, a woman period. These factors on top of the fact that there was not much of local music scene in Orlando when I first started made it that most people did not take me seriously. I was 20 years old when I started this business. I was booking venues I was not even legally allowed to step foot in yet.
I have thrown events with less than 40 people in attendance, which barely covers a percentage of the costs to curate the event meaning the cost came directly out of my pocket. I have allowed people to underpay me for the work I put in by simply not knowing I was worth more. I have had people try to use business as a means to having sexual relationships with me. I have had people talk behind my back, lie, and be disrespectful. All the while still dealing with my personal life, family issues, relationships beginning and ending. However, through it all I was building something that has now in hindsight saved my life. And even better yet… saved so many lives of the people within my community. The Fusion Showcase staff is a team of artists that I proudly call family. I get to sign their checks to make sure they eat. I get to invest in their dreams all the while having them work 10 fold to create mine. I have impacted my community by creating a platform and a space for true artistry, true partnership/teamwork to be displayed.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Fusion Showcase story. Tell us more about the business.
I curate events such as: open mics, workshops, showcases, concerts, festivals, nonprofit events. Our nonprofit events consist are things such as: dinner for the needy, school supply drives, clothing drives, etc. The city of Orlando knows the name Fusion showcase as a platform for artists. It’s the place artists go to make a name for themselves within the city; to open the door of opportunity within Orlando. Fusion creates multiple events each month providing a space for artists to perform/gain fans, gain knowledge and or get exposed to key people within the city and/or industry. I’m proud of the community impact we have, the family we’ve built, the reputation for quality events, genuine support, love, and God.
What sets Fusion apart is the passion that is put into everything. My passion for what I do spills into my team, which then spills into my events. You will indefinitely remember attending a Fusion event whether you remember me, the staff, a particular artist, someone dope you met, or the way that you felt being in the room… you remember! When passion meets purpose you create an experience that has an everlasting effect.
Tell us about your favorite and least favorites things about our city.
At this very moment, we have a lot of unity in our city. There are people who truly want the best for the creative scene, and they are pushing through all negativity to create a broader platform for the unity. I love the growth and accountability I am beginning to see.
Least favorite: everyone outside thinks Orlando is just about Disney. We have so much culture, art, knowledge, love, and just overall good energy to showcase to the world. I see a responsibility to our influencers within the city and those who have left to be a voice for the city of Orlando. It is up to us to make it known that we are here, and we are more than Disney. The unity that is growing within the city now is going to help change this, so I am really excited for the future or Orlando.
Contact Info:
- Website: fusionshowcase.com
- Phone: 4072024223
- Email: thefusionshowcase@gmail.com
- Other: @Jenniferhdesire, @fusionshowcase
Image Credit:
Jeremiah Rivera @K1ngphotography
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