Spirit of the Caribbean Arts
Board of Directors
S.O.C.A.’s governing body is comprised of a dedicated Board of Directors with a diverse range of professional expertise, deep community connections, and specialized cultural knowledge, guiding our initiatives with integrity, cultural insight, and a passion for community empowerment.
Tashia Antoine
Founder & Chair
Tashia Antoine is a passionate cultural leader and arts education coordinator committed to celebrating Caribbean heritage and empowering the next generation. As founder of Spirit of Caribbean Arts (S.O.C.A.), she fuses creative vision with strategic purpose to develop impactful programs that inspire pride, resilience, and community connection through the arts.
Nicole Brand-Dixon
Vice Chair
Nicole Brand-Dixon brings over 30 years of vibrant carnival experience. A dedicated costume designer, her family's legacy includes her great uncle, Clive Brand, the first King of the Bands winner. With a commerce degree, Nicole applies strong business acumen in strategic planning and change management, and champions STEM integration in carnival arts to give youth transferable skills.
Stacy Hughes
Secretary
Stacy Hughes brings over 20 years of results-oriented administrative experience, including roles at Toronto Hydro and within the healthcare sector. Her deep connection to Caribbean culture stems from her uncle, Arnold Hughes, an acclaimed mas maker who made immense contributions to Toronto's Caribana Festival.
Kateri DeSouza
Director
Kateri DeSouza brings over a decade of carnival costume design expertise and is Co-Founder/Partner of Caribella Mas. She holds a B.A. in Caribbean Studies from York University and champions diversity and community engagement through her “The Art of Mas: What is Your Story” workshops for school boards.
Keith Birmingham
Director
Keith Birmingham is the CEO of Triple T Entertainment, a dedicated promoter of Caribbean culture. He brings extensive project management experience and expertise as an artist liaison, and is a passionate community advocate and mentor committed to preserving and passing on Caribbean traditions.
Paul Green
Director
Paul Green brings over 35 years of grassroots community experience across the GTA. A founder of B.S.A. (The Universal Black Students Association), B.L.O.C.K. Headz, and “Rush The Vote,” he is an educator with the Toronto District School Board and a founding member of ONABSE, specializing in “edutainment” programming.