Meet the Committee
The Caribbean Festival is planned by a committee which includes community leaders who are CCSM members. The committee feels strongly in supporting local businesses, artists, and inspiring entrepreneurs. We will prioritize Caribbean owned vendors and musical acts who want to perform, sell, and participate in the festival. We want to show support and shed light on often marginalized communities such as those that come from the Caribbean.
Octavius Austin, a.k.a DJ Tek Ravers
Azouke Sanon
Desla James
Pierre Etienne
Aggie Sanon
Ruth Dorval
Shanatia Bygrave
Rockwell Austin
Sergine
Member Bios
Activist, Advocate & Community Organizer. Dawèdo came to the US from Haiti where her father, uncles, and family friends were political activists fighting against the corrupt government. The influence of the Haitian Revolution on American black liberation movements has always been the starting point for Dawèdo’s own political activism.
She became a volunteer organizer and activist in New York’s Columbia, Greene and Albany Counties.
She is currently a staff organizer with Columbia County Sanctuary Movement. CCSM organizes immigrants and allies to collectively support, empower, and defend communities in the Capital Region and Hudson Valley. CCSM was founded in 2016, by four community members who stood up and intervened in the ICE raids that were happening throughout the city of Hudson.
Dawèdo has spent most of last year in Albany collaborating with local organizations to support newly arriving Asylum Seekers. As a volunteer coordinator & Community Organizer, she continues to build relationships, ask tough questions, and fight for new arrivals.
Her work in Columbia County involves cultivating potential members, specifically from the Caribbean Islands such as Haiti, Jamaica, Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago. This is done through one-on-one conversations and community-building events. Dawèdo also spends a great portion of her time at the Capitol in Albany. She attends press conferences and meets with legislators to push state priorities for our immigrant communities and incarcerated individuals. She is currently the lead organizer for the Caribbean Festival in Albany, NY July 27, 2024, and looks forward to starting her skin care and healing ventures.
Jenifer works as Human Service Professional and dedicates her time to volunteering in her community. She has been a CCSM member for over 5 years. Jenifer is extremely involved in activism and wears many hats within the community. She has evolved into a leader within the organization, and is committed to the growth and development of CCSM. She has been a part of various committees. She is eager to continue to grow her leadership role within CCSM, and believes she is a good fit because she knows first hand how big of an impact CCSM has on our community.
Currently, Jennifer serves on the Coordinating Committee, Personnel Committee, Hiring Committee, Intake Committee, Board Co-chair, and helped plan our 5th anniversary celebration.
Octavius Austin (a.k.a. "Tek")
Tek a multifaceted International Entertainer and is the true epitome of Never Underestimate Us Generation. With Guyanese heritage, his multiethnic background influenced him to pursue multiple genres such as Hip Hop, Soca, Dancehall, R&B, Afrobeat and Amapiano. Born in Albany, NY he strives to prove to people that you can do anything with motivation and discipline. In 2012, Tek became a member of Ravers Clavers as a dancer. He then started his DJ Career in 2013 to not only promote his own music, but to travel and ultimately be himself. Currently, he manages an agency of influencers/creatives that get earnings from streams for live segments and shows. Tek also owns a dance studio in Albany, NY. As a promoter, he has had the opportunity to coordinate concerts with A Little Booking Agency for some of the most influential entertainers in entertainment such as Pop Smoke, Lil Baby, Lil Durk, Aidonia, Cardi B, Ding Dong, Mary J Blige, Ashanti, Kevin Hart, And many more. He aspires to generate generational wealth while mastering the art of separating his wants and needs. He began by creating comedic Vines, Which led his following on Instagram to increase tremendously. His first viral moment was on Vine and that experience enlightened him to pursue entertainment. Currently, Tek is focused on releasing more music. He has several projects in the works, Including an upcoming release with DJ Cheem. Tek strives to continue to utilize his skills to make an impact, specifically through the "NUU Generation".
A Columbia County resident with Bajan and Guyanese roots, Sryan is a young professional who could make a joke outta anything. And if the music is good you’ll find her on the dance floor.
Ronald Albert, was born on October 10, 1988. Ron is a proud Guyanese person that was raised in Hudson, NY. He has been a music producer since 2004, and has worked with many artists throughout the state of NY. Ron has a reputable reputation for promoting lively parties and club events as a cofounder of Xplicit Entertainment. Ron has devoted over 10 years working with troubled youth, while developing programs designed to keep the nuclear family intact, keeping kids out of trouble & off the streets. Ron is currently working on a new music program that would educate young teens about the entertainment industry. The program would support youth in learning about the intricacies of recording and writing a song, producing and mixing their own music.