We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Monique Suárez. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Monique below.

Monique, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Was there an experience or lesson you learned at a previous job that’s benefited your career afterwards?

Before becoming a DJ, I spent over 20 years as a social worker. That experience taught me how to connect with people from all walks of life, navigate tough personalities, and build real relationships—skills that have been invaluable in my creative journey. The most important lesson I’ve learned is to be the kind of person you’d want in your corner. Whether in life or work, the energy you bring matters, and surrounding yourself with the right people can make all the difference.

Monique, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I’m a social worker by day and a cultural worker—aka Agent DMZ. —by heart. Born in Jamaica, Queens, raised in Salinas, Puerto Rico, and later Orlando, Florida, my life has been shaped by movement, music, and identity. I’ve always been the one setting the vibe, making playlists, curating energy. About three years ago, my partner gifted me a controller—and everything shifted. DJing became more than a hobby—it became a calling.

Through my events, I aim to create inclusive spaces where people feel seen and celebrated. No VIP, no bottle service—just community. I focus on curating experiences that blend dancehall, reggaeton, soca, pop, dembow, and more—reflecting my Black Boricua roots and diasporic journey.

What sets me apart is my intentionality. I don’t just DJ—I build spaces. I produce events that highlight Black Boricua stories, challenge colonial narratives, and push back against the erasure in mainstream Latin music scenes. My artivism event series brings together music, food, visual arts, and conversation to center our voices and stories.

What I’m most proud of is creating spaces where people feel connected—not just to the music, but to each other. My work is for the culture, by the culture, and always with love.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

I built my audience by showing up as my full self—flaws, joy, struggles, and everything in between. From the early MySpace days to managing multiple platforms today, authenticity has always been my north star. Social media can be a curated space, but I’ve found that people crave connection, not perfection. I use my platforms to tell honest stories—not just the highlights, but the human moments that make up the in-between.

It’s not always easy to post when life feels heavy, but there’s power in vulnerability. The posts that resonate most are often the ones where I speak from the heart—sharing thoughts I once wished someone else would say out loud, just so I wouldn’t feel alone. That’s the energy I bring to everything I share: a desire to spark conversations, to make people feel seen.

My advice to anyone starting out? Keep showing up. Don’t post for validation—post to express, to connect, to heal. You don’t need 10k followers to make an impact. There’s an audience for everyone, and your story matters exactly as it is.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

For me, the most rewarding aspect of being a creative is having the courage and curiosity to keep expanding. In a world that often encourages us to abandon our inner child as we grow older, creatives choose to nurture it instead. We imagine, build, and dream beyond what exists. That refusal to conform—our commitment to wonder and possibility—is what keeps us at the forefront of shaping the future.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://agentdmz.squarespace.com/?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAadnlU5SzQxCJy70i6okfr0SRr8-iaJIaJgftYkHiPuGT5jgtw12sd0FJYKsnA_aem_7ZOfKSL9Fn2lIhNNASx1vw
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/agentdmz?igsh=eTJ6a3l2N202cGZr&utm_source=qr
• Soundcloud: https://on.soundcloud.com/trc8kvpdYw42k1q98

Image Credits

For all pictures
Wil Suarez @wsuarez