Lililita Forbes

Lililita Forbes was born and raised on the Caribbean Island of St. Maarten, Dutch Antilles. After graduating from Florida A&M University with a BS in Music Education and a Minor in Theatre, she pursued a career both locally and internationally as a teacher, Worship & Creative Arts Director, vocal coach, and actress. Forbes served for seven years as a before and after school, elementary, middle, and high school creative arts teacher.

On stage, Forbes has performed and music directed with The FAMU Essential Theatre, FAMU Connection, FAMU Concert Choir, Theatre with a Mission, Dupont Productions, FSU Triple Threat Theatre Troop, A&A Production, and other theatre companies. Professionally known by her stage name Lili Forbes, she has written, produced, and released music for over six albums with her twin sister Ilismo, as the world-renowned Caribbean duo Jumelle, formerly known as The Johnson Sisters. They started performing at the age of 12, and by 15, they produced their first album, topping radio charts in their region of the Caribbean. Since then, they have collectively received multiple Caribbean Gospel Music Marlin Awards and international recognition for their accomplishments in music, culture, and education.

In her spare time, Lili is an adviser to the St. Maarten-Tallahassee Student Association, Vice President of the Tallahassee-St. Maarten Foundation, founding member of the Essential Theatrical Artist (ETA) performance and mentoring organization, member of The Soul Collective Live, and member of the alumni chapter of Sigma Alpha Iota Music Fraternity, Incorporated. Lili is also active in producing the Annual Sankofa Concert, which highlights the music, culture, and accomplishments of Afro-Caribbean, African, and American artists, “Educating the community through entertainment.”

Lili Forbes has published her first book, entitled “For All Voices,” a singing and sight-reading manual focusing on the development of singers, musicians, praise teams, and music directors. The book was co-authored by her partner, composer/producer Jacki Barineau of Tallahassee, Florida. Lili is an accomplished, award-winning composer. Her work as composer and producer of “Maggie Never Bitter” by Taj Shotwell won her first CGM Award for vocal performance of the year for the title track “Never Bitter.” She is the lead composer of the Broadway-bound play “Underground,” a story of the enslaved told through the spirituals that guided them to freedom, based on the 2010 short film “Underground,” which won 21 awards, including two Student Emmys. In 2024, the New York Theatre Festival awarded “Underground” Best Production out of 80 plays, and Lili was nominated for Best Score! Lili’s other accolades include the 2019 Caribbean-American Heritage Award for her community service contributions in education, music, and culture, and the 2023 Florida FolkLife Artist in Residence recipient.

Her goal is to continue composing music for artists, plays, and musicals. She aspires to continue her work with LiliMoni Productions as “Griot Lili,” one who keeps the African Diaspora’s oral traditions alive through storytelling, education, and cultural platforms. Finally, she continues her passion as a mentor and vocal coach to up-and-coming creative artists in the fields of music and theatre.

Her first solo EP, “I Won’t Hold Me Back,” is now available. Please visit www.lyricallynn.com or any social media outlet @Lili Forbes for more information.