Sasha Merci says her work is driven by a deep desire to unite people across status, class and occupation, creating spaces where communities feel seen, connected and understood. In 2022, she launched her first El Teteo party in Los Angeles while feeling homesick for New York City and looking for a way to reconnect with her roots. The event was inspired by the Dominican meaning of “teteo,” a casual gathering centered on good music, good company, drinks and food, and by the idea that joy can be found even in the middle of pain, struggle and hard work.
Merci describes El Teteo as more than a party series. It is a cultural and community space meant to bring an East Coast energy to the West Coast, while increasing awareness of Latine Caribbean culture in Los Angeles. After moving from New York to LA, she noticed a lack of representation for Dominicans and other Caribbean Latines, and says the experience felt like a culture shock. She recalls people being surprised when she spoke Spanish and says Dominican culture was often unfamiliar to many in the city. That absence of visibility pushed her to create a gathering where Dominican identity could be celebrated openly.
The first El Teteo, held on February 26, 2022, was organized to mark Dominican Independence Day in Los Angeles. Merci partnered with Dominican American realtor Angela Carrasco and Dominican American actress and host Katherine Castro, whose venue connections helped make the event possible. The party drew about 600 attendees, including people who traveled from New York, and quickly became a success. It also attracted Latine creatives from television and entertainment, turning the event into a networking hub as well as a celebration.
Merci says El Teteo addresses a larger problem in Hollywood, where Latinas are often expected to fit narrow standards of beauty and identity. She argues that Afro-Latina Caribbeans are frequently overlooked or treated as “not Latina enough,” and that Dominican and Caribbean voices are still underrepresented in the industry. Through Dominican music, artists and cultural elements, she has tried to build a space that reflects the richness and diversity of her community. She says that for many Latines, especially those in entertainment, being part of community is important for mental health and belonging.
The event has also become part of a broader effort to bridge different parts of the Latine diaspora, from Mexicans to Dominicans, and to create a Caribbean ecosystem in Los Angeles that does not depend on outside gatekeepers. Merci says El Teteo challenges the idea that Dominican culture is invisible, pointing to its influence in music and global pop culture while noting that its contributions are often overlooked in larger Latine conversations.
This summer, she hopes to bring El Teteo to New York City and expand it into a global platform. She also plans to use the event to support the Dominican community by partnering with the Dream Project to help provide educational opportunities for Dominican youth. For Merci, the goal is simple: to spread joy, strengthen community and make Dominican and Caribbean representation visible and celebrated worldwide.
