I have a profound desire to connect people. I believe one of my life’s missions is to foster unity among individuals, transcending social status, class, and profession, and creating an environment where everyone feels genuinely accepted and understood. This passion inspired me to launch my first El Teteo party in Los Angeles in 2022, motivated by a longing for the familiar vibes of my hometown, NYC.
Feeling homesick, I yearned for a connection to my roots and my community. El Teteo reflects what I’ve learned: to find joy amid struggles, hardship, and effort. Community, for me, is gathering with loved ones, regardless of where that may be — whether it’s setting up beach chairs in front of a building or plastic chairs in a park beneath a bridge. Teteo, a Dominican slang term for celebrating and gathering anywhere, embodies the idea that community needs only good music, great company, and a few beers — sometimes food too. It’s about sharing fleeting moments that we might not see again, a principle deeply seated in Latine culture.
As a New Yorker, I felt the absence of my city’s lively club scenes and dance parties in Los Angeles. At many parties and clubs, I noticed that rather than hitting the dance floor, people tended to linger with their drinks. With El Teteo, I aimed to bring the East Coast energy to the West, promote awareness of Latine Caribbean culture, and build community. In New York, we embrace diverse cultures as a melting pot, allowing us to share our unique backgrounds, while also exchanging experiences with others.
As a proud Dominican American, I felt the need for our community’s presence to be recognized in Los Angeles, where it seemed sparse. Relocating to LA highlighted the lack of Dominican and Caribbean Latine representation. It was a culture shock; people often reacted in surprise when I spoke Spanish, and many were unfamiliar with Dominican culture.
So, I launched my first El Teteo party on February 26, 2022, to celebrate Dominican Independence Day in Los Angeles. I collaborated with Angela Carrasco, a Dominican American realtor, and Dominican American actress and host Katherine Castro, both of whom had connections to a venue. The event was a tremendous success, attracting around 600 participants, with some traveling all the way from New York to share in the unforgettable experience.
These parties have become more than just festive gatherings; they offer Latino creatives, especially in media and entertainment, a chance to network and build community. The success of these events is measured by the joy and sense of connection they foster. It provides a platform where Latine culture looks different from the West Coast norm.
As a Dominican American, I have faced obstacles in auditions, as Hollywood often envisions Latinas as light-skinned mestizas with straight dark hair, overlooking the rich diversity in our community. Afro-Latina Caribbeans frequently find themselves labeled as “other” or “not Latina enough” in Hollywood. Nonetheless, these events showcase Dominican music, artists, and cultural elements such as hookah, creating a vibrant cultural hub in LA that highlights our heritage and promotes representation in a city that often neglects us.
At the inaugural Teteo, we had attendees from Latino entertainment, including those from TV shows like “Insecure,” “On My Block,” “Gentefied,” “Station 19,” and “How I Met Your Father.” This was a dream come true because representation of people who look like us is rare in Hollywood. For many Latinos, being part of a community is crucial for mental health. I’ve often heard stories of Caribbean actors, directors, producers, and screenwriters leaving Los Angeles due to the lack of community. I aimed to bridge that gap within the Latine diaspora, from Mexicans to Dominicans, striving to amplify the voices that are often missing in Hollywood.
The struggles of Hollywood often involve trying to fit into a mold that demands the erasure of one’s true self, only to be met with rejection. Despite this pain and uncertainty, joy remains something they can never take from me. This is why Teteo was born: to challenge the misconception that we don’t exist, celebrating every layer of our identity, including our shared humanity and the gift of life. Dominican culture is frequently highlighted without proper acknowledgment — from viral dembow songs to James Bond’s inspiration from Porfirio Rubirosa, or bachata being sung in various languages worldwide. Yet, despite these cultural contributions, we often get sidelined in the broader Latine narrative. Industry executives often fail to invest because they doubt our presence. Yet, witnessing the diverse crowds at Juan Luis Guerra and Romeo Santos concerts made me question why we aren’t included in the larger conversation.
I perceive El Teteo as both a moment and a movement, nurturing a new Caribbean ecosystem in LA. It centers Caribbean and Afro-Latino culture without relying on uninterested executives or investors. My vision was to cultivate a space where our existence and culture are recognized and celebrated. El Teteo has forged its path by spreading joy and raising awareness of our vibrant culture, crafted by us, for everyone to enjoy.
This summer, I’m excited to take El Teteo to NYC, aiming for it to become a global event that elevates Latine culture and puts Dominicans on the map worldwide. Moreover, I want El Teteo to serve as a way to give back to the Dominican community. We are partnering with the Dream Project to support educational opportunities for Dominican youth. It was essential for us to create something that not only brings joy but also helps those in need.
The Dominican spirit transcends NYC and my island; it embodies a lifestyle and subculture celebrated by many. It’s about embracing the positive aspects of my culture and sharing them with the wider world. As my father says, you never know when God will call you, so cherish the life you have today. My hope is to spread this joy globally through my culture, elevate and celebrate the community, and foster the representation we’re missing — all through communal gatherings.
Sasha Merci is a first-generation Dominican American actor, comedian, and viral digital creator. With over a decade of diverse experience in entertainment, she has appeared in films like “Righteous Thieves” and “De Lo Mio,” and has collaborated with renowned brands such as Target and Bumble. Sasha shares her Bronx roots and passion for Latine culture by advocating for mental health awareness and her journey in comedy.
