Akia Dorsainvil, also known as DJ Pressure Point, is an artist whose work empowers those around him. As the founder of the Masisi Collective and Masisi Radio, he highlights performances by Black and queer artists across the city of Miami with shows that air twice a week.

Origins of a Transformative Artist

Dorsainvil is a fourth-generation Haitian American born and raised in Lake Worth, Florida. At 13 years old, he joined a local hip-hop dance company and started working at an ice cream shop to save enough money to travel with his dance team to New York. From the beginning, he was immersed in music and dance.

In high school, Dorsainvil would perform as a backup dancer for local artists and drag queens or attend dance competitions. Once he graduated from Lake Worth High, he enrolled in Palm Beach State College to earn a mass communications and journalism degree. In the new Miami environment, Dorsainvil attended gallery openings, went on art walks, and partied at dance clubs. 

At 20 years old and just over a year into his college career, Dorsainvil discovered that Miami was teaching him more than school was and decided to drop out.

Building Connections in Miami

Fully immersing himself in Miami’s art and dance scene, Dorsainvil found his connection with the city’s queer community—and his inspiration to build something new. In September 2019, Dorsainvil co-founded the Masisi Collective, whose name derives from the Creole homophobic slur. 

Advancing a Mission of Empowerment

The Masisi Collective’s mission is to establish spaces for queer and trans members of the Afro-Caribbean diaspora in Miami, but they faced challenges along the way. The collective found success in their “Dancehall” debut party, but COVID-19 halted the momentum. Despite this, the collective was undeterred.

Soon enough, the Masisi Collective was hosting “Masisi Zoom Parties,” where participants from across the United States joined in silent dances with cameras on and mics off. Today, Masisi Radio is a reminder of this brief period—but with sound—giving artists a chance to share their music live on Twitch.

In the Little River Cultural Garden, Dorsainvil gathers fellow artists to share music ranging from EDM to jazz, hip-hop to R&B, reggaeton to pop. He typically watches from behind the camera, but he dances, cheers, and laughs for the performers.

Offering Others the Tools to Thrive

For Dorsainvil, the Masisi Collective serves to provide fellow Black and queer artists with resources they never had when he got his start—space, tools, and a supportive community. He gives chances for free and empowered self-expression to every artist that comes his way. And even while building up those around him, Dorsainvil still finds opportunities to maintain his DJ Pressure Point persona.

DJ Pressure Point

DJ Pressure Point came into being after he received DJ equipment for his birthday. He intentionally chose the name, hoping others would have a “visceral experience” when engaging with his music. With practice, Dorsainvil was soon asked to perform at a friend’s birthday party, and his career as a DJ began in earnest.

Creating a Bold Community

As Dorsainvil builds Masisi Collective and Masisi Radio into supportive spaces, he continues to grow as an artist. He is fulfilling his mission to work with and empower marginalized artists in Miami and nationwide.