Maurisa Coleman
Maurisa Coleman
MAURISA S COLEMAN IS A BRITISH-TRINIDADIAN ENTREPRENEUR AND ACTRESS.
Why I love Notting Hill Carnival
To me NHC is a brave, and loud, and strong declaration, that I am here, my people are here, my culture is here. The history of NHC in the UK is a strong and deep one, the future is a bright one, our presence is meaningful.
When I am asked where I'm originally from, that question usually always leads to NHC and me explaining how extremely important it is to celebrate the freedom we fought for and the diversity and equality we still strive for today.
Honestly, my best NHC moment was being named as one of the NHC ambassadors. I've done the press, I played my part in organising, I've worn some of the most beautiful costumes by our Caribbean/British designers and I've paraded the route countless times. But, nothing gives me more pride to be introduced as an ambassador and have people flood me with questions. Questions about what is carnival, why we have it here. It fills me with pride to explain that the costumes are wonderful yes, but there's so much more, and to watch their faces light up with genuine interest and enthusiasm as I explain the deep religious meaning, the sources of music and dance, the changes over time.
My first NHC experience was with Lagniappe Mas Band. My aunt was scandalised that I'd never been, took a personal interest in getting me involved, I fell in LOVE with NHC and the rest was history.
NHC is unique because we are absolutely open to the world. Look, nothing can or will ever beat the heart of Carnival, Trinidad and Tobago's Carnival. But, NHC tells it's own history of a generation of people who came to the UK and brought some of their home with them. It tells a story of success in a foreign land. I make a special mention of our British-Caribbean designers. Every year they blow me away. They take our history and combine it with a world view that becomes understandable to ever race and nationality here. Most importantly, NHC to me is a flagship and voice of reason to major issues affecting the BAME community in the UK. Given that the organisation remains beautifully none political it stands tall as a tower of trust for the community and a strong support for matters that affect us the most.
My favourite thing about NHC is seeing new masqueraders join each year. I love to watch them as year by year they join shyly and go on to become just as in love with the parade and the sheer joy of it as the Caribbean people who have been a part for years. It's an all inclusive festival, nothing makes me happier than seeing that all inclusiveness defined.
Political Activist, Business and Finance Entrepreneur, and current Parliamentarian working in the House of Commons.
Maurisa is a member of the Conservative party with close ties to the Isle of Wight Constituency and East Ham Conservative Association. Her passion for government and politics have become her strong focus areas and has led several International Relations Committee meetings at the House of Commons and House of Lords.
Her earlier career engagements in Hotel management at the age of 23 with Accor Hotels, followed by Chartered financial management projects for global firms across the EMEA region claimed national awards for business management, Revenue Growth and Operations.
MaurisaColeman Incorporated Ltd. was formed in 2015, fulfilling a childhood dream of building her own company. The company quickly saw rapid growth and expansion into multiple departments including Business and Financial Consulting. The exposure from this growth resulted in working on both national and international projects with corporate organisations, government bodies and household names including but not limited to: One Avenue, TFL, Camden Council and Sledgehammer Games - Call of Duty.
In true entrepreneurial spirit, Maurisa is also the co-owner of Black Panther Productions, a film production company which provides a full back to front film production service.
Maurisa has also acted in a number of high-profile films and television projects. Her acting portfolio includes the leading roles in a Global Campaign for McLaren Technologies – ‘It can be done’, portraying the lead actress; a femme fatale in 'Dirty Back Seat' - a short film by the BBC's Ersel Ulatash which has won three film awards to date and is now featured on Amazon Prime.
Maurisa is the face of Channel 4’s ‘Humans’, starring in the promotional video that was aired internationally on both television and cinema, claiming further International attention by way of billboards, publications and newspapers.
2019 saw Maurisa take a sabbatical from film and fashion to focus her attention on her political ambitions. Despite her absence, Maurisa took on the position of second in command to owner Savita Kaye for LFW’s House of Ikons.
Maurisa is a strong voice in the Caribbean community with her continued interest and involvement in Carnival and promoting equality and fairness in the BAME community. As an ambassador she has been involved with Carnival for both promotional and planning activities for many years. She has been a key contributor to conversations in the communities with the Windrush debate and enquiries in the Grenfell fire. She was recently published on Conservatives Home calling on the government to further work on national diversity and interviewed by Esther McVey MP founder of the BlueCollar Tories on the importance and meaning of the BLM protests and showing support for NHC at a national level. She has further featured in several publications in Carnival Costume including the advertising for Sony.