For Ad’Ria, adventure can begin with a new destination, an idea for a book or a step onto the Carnival stage. At 11, the author, dancer, model and masquerader is exploring each with growing confidence and a love for the Caribbean culture that connects them.
Since her first Caribbean Collective feature, Ad’Ria has published her second book, “Ad’ria the World Traveler,” and continued developing Toronto’s Junior Carnival PlayMasWithAdria, section. Along the way, she is learning how to balance her interests, embrace new challenges and share what makes her proud of who she is.
I’m becoming more confident, learning new skills, and discovering new ways to share my creativity and Caribbean culture, she says.
Her latest book brings together two of her favorite pursuits: storytelling and exploring. Inspired by her love of discovering new places, “Ad’ria the World Traveler” features destinations she has visited alongside those she dreams of seeing. She hopes it encourages young readers to be curious, use their imagination and discover the world through books.
For the young writer, travel is an opportunity to notice what makes a place distinct, from the foods people enjoy to the traditions they share. Those experiences have deepened her curiosity and appreciation for the world’s diversity.
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Even as she looks outward, her Caribbean heritage remains central to how she expresses herself. It informs her love of music, dance and storytelling, and it gives her something she wants other children to experience: pride in where they come from.
Growing up in the Caribbean community has taught me the importance of celebrating our traditions, embracing and sharing our culture with the next generation, she says.
Carnival has been part of that connection almost since birth. Ad’Ria says she first became involved at 3 months old and has had her own children’s Carnival section since she was 1. Through PlayMasWithAdria, she shares her enthusiasm with other children, introducing them to a celebration that has helped shape her own creativity and confidence.
What I love most about Carnival is the energy, freedom, and togetherness! she says.
The costumes, music and dancing all draw her in, but so does the experience of people coming together to celebrate Caribbean culture. Participating has taught her to work hard, believe in herself and feel more comfortable performing in front of others. It has also strengthened her ambition to become a Carnival queen one day.
Among her inspirations is Caneisha Edwards, Toronto Carnival Queen 2026. She admires Edwards’ presence, dedication and accomplishments, qualities that encourage her to keep growing in her own Carnival journey.
Her family provides another source of encouragement, supporting her as she tries new things and works toward her goals. That support matters when school, writing, dance, modeling and Carnival all compete for her time. Ad’Ria acknowledges that balancing those commitments can be challenging, but she is learning to approach them with planning, patience and hard work.
The reward of writing, she says, is seeing an idea become a real book that other children can enjoy. It is an accomplishment she hopes to repeat, with more books and more travel among her plans for the years ahead. She also wants to continue developing as a dancer and model while growing PlayMasWithAdria.
There is plenty to explore beyond those pursuits, too. Born April 22, Earth Day, Ad’Ria loves science, technology, engineering and math. She enjoys swimming, volleyball and stilt walking, and she is curious about how things work.
I have both a creative side and a curious side, so I enjoy finding ways to use them together, she says.
That willingness to explore runs through her advice to other Caribbean girls who may feel nervous about pursuing their own interests.
Believe in yourself and don’t be afraid to start! she says. You don’t have to be perfect, and you’re never too young to follow your dreams.
Ad’Ria hopes to inspire other young Caribbean girls as her role models have inspired her. For now, she is doing that by continuing to create, learn and celebrate her roots, without expecting herself to have everything figured out. Her #CaribbeanGirlMagic is in that combination of cultural pride, curiosity and the confidence to begin.
