El Teteo: How One Woman Built a Vibrant Latine Community in LA (and Beyond)

Los Angeles is experiencing a cultural shift, one built on the rhythms of dembow and the warmth of community. At the heart of it is El Teteo, a gathering that began as a homesick artist’s longing for connection and has blossomed into a movement uniting Latine communities across the city and beyond. More than just a party, El Teteo is a deliberate space for joy, visibility, and the celebration of Caribbean and Afro-Latino culture, a demographic often overlooked in mainstream representation.

Founded in February 2022 by Sasha Merci, a first-generation Dominican American actor, comedian, and digital creator, El Teteo emerged from a desire to recreate the vibrant social scenes Merci missed from her native New York City. “I was feeling homesick and needed to feel connected to my roots and my community,” Merci explained in an interview. The name itself, a Dominican slang term for “party” or “gathering,” encapsulates the event’s core ethos: a casual, accessible space where connection transcends social barriers. The initial event, timed to coincide with Dominican Independence Day, drew an impressive 600 attendees, some traveling from as far as New York, signaling a deep-seated need for this type of cultural hub.

Bridging a Cultural Gap in Los Angeles

Merci’s motivation wasn’t simply to throw a quality party; it was to address a noticeable void in Los Angeles’s cultural landscape. She found that the city lacked the same vibrant celebration of Dominican and broader Caribbean Latine culture she was accustomed to. “People were often shocked when I spoke in Spanish,” she recalled, highlighting the feeling of being an outsider in a city where her heritage wasn’t readily understood or acknowledged. This realization fueled her determination to create a space where Dominican music, art, and traditions could flourish, fostering a sense of belonging for those who felt unseen.

El Teteo quickly became a haven for Latine creatives in media and entertainment, providing a crucial networking opportunity in a city where finding community can be challenging. Stories circulated of Caribbean actors, directors, and writers leaving Los Angeles due to a lack of support and connection. Merci aimed to bridge that gap, fostering a sense of solidarity within the Latine diaspora, from Mexican to Dominican communities. At the first El Teteo, attendees included individuals involved in popular television shows like “Insecure,” “On My Block,” “Gentefied,” “Station 19” and “How I Met Your Father,” a testament to the event’s growing influence within the industry.

Beyond the Party: Economic and Cultural Impact

The impact of El Teteo extends beyond social gatherings. The events provide economic opportunities for small-scale Dominican entrepreneurs through vendor stalls and pop-up merchandise booths. El Teteo has garnered increasing media attention, receiving coverage from outlets like LA Weekly and The Hollywood Reporter, amplifying Caribbean voices in Los Angeles’s mainstream culture. This visibility is particularly significant given the historical underrepresentation of Afro-Latina Caribbeans in Hollywood, who Merci notes are often deemed “other” or “not Latina enough.”

Merci’s vision for El Teteo is rooted in a commitment to challenging conventional narratives and celebrating the full spectrum of Latine identity. She points to the global influence of Dominican culture – from the popularity of dembow music to the legacy of figures like Porfirio Rubirosa and the international appeal of bachata – as evidence of a vibrant heritage that deserves greater recognition. “Executives often don’t invest in us because they don’t believe we exist,” she stated, underscoring the importance of creating spaces where that existence is undeniable.

Expanding the Movement

Building on its success in Los Angeles, El Teteo is poised for expansion. This summer, Merci plans to bring the event to New York City, with aspirations of making it a global phenomenon. Simultaneously, she is committed to giving back to the Dominican community through a partnership with the Dream Project, an organization supporting educational opportunities for Dominican youth.

As El Teteo prepares to take its next steps, it remains a powerful example of how community-driven initiatives can foster cultural pride, economic empowerment, and a sense of belonging. The movement, as described by Merci, is about more than just a good time; it’s about reclaiming space, celebrating identity, and building a future where Latine voices are not only heard but celebrated. The next step for El Teteo will be its launch in New York City, with details on dates and locations expected to be announced via El Teteo’s Instagram page in the coming weeks.

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