Willard S. John, was raised in St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands. After returning from college he decided to learn the traditional art-form of Moko Jumbie stilt dancing. His cousin John McCleverty provided stilts, taught and encouraged him to perform on stilts. Willard made his debut in the St. Thomas carnival parade in 1975.

In 1979 Willard decided to move to the sister island of St. Croix, in the US Virgin Islands, where there were no active Moko Jumbies at that time. After performing on a regular bases in several venues for a few years he made the decision to teach others to assure the tradition of Moko Jumbies continue. During the 1980’s he taught several groups of children in schools and non-profit organizations. In 1993 Willard established the Guardians of Culture Moko Jumbie academy that operated out of a public elementary school. Youngsters both male and female were taught the skill and history of Moko Jumbie stilt dancing. Though the years approximately 400 youth received instruction at the Guardians of Culture Academy.

Currently, Mr. John’s efforts are focused on providing history and skill instruction on silt dancing to the youth of St. Croix as well as training teachers to assure the continuation of this important tradition. He produced a video entitled “Mokolution, the evolution of the Moko Jumbie” which chronicles the development of stilt dancing from Africa to and through the Caribbean. Mr. John coordinates performances in various venues on St. Croix in an effort to educate, promote, and preserve the art of Moko Jumbie.

Being a Taproot artist will provide significant resources and publicity that focuses on my goal of promoting, educating and preserving the art of Moko Jumbie. The Guardians Of Culture Moko Jumbies are headquartered on St. Croix, US Virgin Islands. With additional resources, we will have the opportunity to travel to our sister islands of St Thomas, St. John, and the British Virgin Islands to provide workshops and edutainment (Mokolution), which is a narrated live performance that chronicles the history of Moko Jumbies from Africa to the Caribbean. These performances captivates the audience with skilled stilt dancers while providing the opportunity to educate the audience on its history.

Shaka Zulu, a 2022 National Endowment for the Arts Folk Heritage Fellow, is a master of New Orleans Indigenous Masking Society suit design, an art form rooted in the city’s Indigenous and African culture. Trained under Chief Darryl Montana, son of Chief Tootie Montana, Zulu excels in the “downtown” suit-making tradition, known for its three-dimensional designs. As Big Chief of the Golden Feather Hunters, his intricate suits, requiring a year of sewing and design, are showcased during Mardi Gras, St. Joseph’s Night, and Super Sunday.

In addition to suit design, Zulu preserves the West African tradition of stilt dancing, which symbolizes balance and success. Initiated into this sacred art over 40 years ago, he innovatively adapted it to include women by creating a stilt dancing entity for his daughter, Free Spirit. This adaptation underscores his commitment to cultural preservation and modern inclusivity.

Zulu’s work extends beyond performance; he deconstructs his masking suits to create limited edition framed artworks sold in galleries and at festivals. His dedication to teaching ensures that the rich traditions of the New Orleans Indigenous Masking Society and stilt dancing continue to thrive across generations.

Being a Taproot artist means receiving profound recognition for my dedication to preserving and promoting the New Orleans Indigenous Masking Society traditions and stiltdancing. This award empowers me to continue my practices with enhanced resources and support, allowing for greater community engagement and cultural transmission. It signifies a validation of my role as a cultural leader and a bridge between generations, ensuring that our rich heritage is sustained and celebrated. The fellowship provides the opportunity to amplify my impact, foster intergenerational collaboration, and promote cultural resilience within my community. This honor strengthens my commitment to cultural preservation.