Masisi Radio Is Making Its Own Safe Space for Miami’s Black Queer Community

Miami's Black, queer, and Caribbean communities have often found their heartbeat in the nightlife spaces curated by local collective Masisi, which has long been rooted in uplifting marginalized voices in South Florida.

Now, with the backing of a $12,000 grant from Studio Monkey Shoulder, a global music initiative that provides funding and mentorship to grassroots communities, the collective is set to expand its impact through its latest venture: Masisi Radio. The result is an independent digital station that aims to elevate the stories and creativity of Miami's otherwise overlooked communities that have a variety of talents to offer.

Prior to this funding, Masisi had already proved itself to be a force to be reckoned with in the greater Miami nightlife community. As described by its creative director, Akia Dorsainvil, Masisi's roots are embedded in the power of reclamation that many Black and queer folks have long fought for.

"Masisi is a Haitian Creole word that is used as a slur to someone exhibiting visible queer mannerism and aesthetics, specifically a male exhibiting feminine traits," Dorsainvil tells New Times over email. "We named the collective Masisi to be an artistic home for Black queer folks across the African diaspora, as that's our mission: to be a safe space for these communities to come together."

The new Studio Monkey Shoulder grant, an initiative also powered by Monkey Shoulder whiskey and Worldwide FM, marks a new chapter for Masisi. Spearheaded by DJ Gilles Peterson, this grant means that Masisi's voice is now literally louder than ever, with the collective using financial assistance to launch Masisi Radio.

"When we first started Masisi, we hosted events, panels, exhibitions, and workshops that centered around Black queer nightlife because we felt they didn't have a platform in our local community," Dorsainvil elaborates. "Now, with the radio station, it will feature an array of programming from conversations to experimental sets."

In its inaugural year alone, Studio Monkey Shoulder also awarded funds to local music communities in the U.S., UK, Taiwan, Nigeria, and India, splitting a $60,000 fund to help these groups thrive. According to Giulia Friedman, Monkey Shoulder's brand manager in the U.S., the organization recognized something special about Masisi instantly when looking for their next grant recipient.
"We reviewed hundreds of applicants amongst the Miami community — from independent record stores to underground venues to artist collectives and more — looking for a trailblazer in Miami's music community," Friedman says. "When we came across Masisi, we felt the collective beautifully reflected the diversity of Miami's music scene and wanted to help highlight how the Afro-Caribbean community has influenced the sounds and music culture of the city."

Masisi Radio is now live and available through Worldwide FM, giving the broader Miami community and beyond a chance to engage with the unique platform, which has already proven groundbreaking for the South Florida initiative.

According to Dorsainvil, the well-deserved funds have allowed the collective to purchase necessary broadcasting equipment and a new website to which listeners can flock. Plus, listeners can find chats and community through this new online platform while celebrating music from artists wholly and honestly representing them, from identity to music taste.

It's more than just a win for Masisi — it's a win for Black queer voices in Miami who, until now, have struggled to find their space in the city's greater musical and social landscape.

As Masisi continues to push the boundaries of what it means to be a Black queer creative in Miami, its new digital radio station promises to be a different kind of play in South Florida's evolving alternative music scene, with its impact sure to extend far beyond the airwaves. Thanks to the help of innovators who are willing to put their money where their mouth is, and arguably those with the vision to dream beyond their limitations, Masisi's journey is only just beginning — and it's one that the entire community can tune into.

"When people listen to Masisi Radio, we hope they take away a deeper understanding and appreciation for the brilliance of Black queer individuals, as well as other marginalized members of our community who create a sonically informative hub," Dorsainvil says. "Miami is a place where it takes a lot of effort to simply exist. We do a beautiful job processing our experience in all forms of expression and mediums, and with our new radio station, we are providing a central medium for others to join us in that one space."