Rhode Islander to Watch: DJ Tek
Saturday, January 29, 2011
When it comes to role models, we are used to hearing about Hollywood celebrities, rock stars and professional athletes: these are the people many kids and young adults look up to. At the same time, we may worry about bad behavior kids might emulate in order to be like their heros. But then comes someone who is truly a role model, someone kids and adults alike can truly depend on for positive direction. Meet DJ Tek.
Big Time
Tek, real name Micah Berkley, is a local celebrity with major titles attached to his name including Best DJ in Rhode Island 2009 and 2010 by the Providence Phoenix, #1 Southern New England DJ on Twitter (he has over 11,000 followers @djtek), owner of UrbanVision Media Group marketing/PR firm and owner of Streethop Syndicated Mixshow, which is heard in 14 states across the USA. Beyond the glitz of being a major player in the entertainment and music arenas, Micah is passionate about his life and his goals, which include giving back to his community.
Big Dreams
Raised by professional and loving parents, Micah always had big dreams. His name “DJ Tek” came from the fact he was a disc jockey but always very into technology and computers. He attended Brown and Johnson and Wales University and got started with his own company, doing PR and marketing for a variety of brands. “We are trying to reach the urban demographic and we are able to do that in a variety of ways,” the soft spoken Micah tells us.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTSince college, he has gone on to create music programs, DJing opportunites and pursue his latest role: actor. Micah has appeared on ABC's Body of Proof, which shot in RI over the summer, NBC's Law and Order: SVU, and New England-shot film Missing Williams. With big aspirations and big success comes big responsiblity and Micah is certainly paying it forward.
Big Future
Mentoring today's youth is key to his being such a public figure. He is the former Assistant Program Director at AS220 Youth Program and worked as an urban educator at the Rhode Island Juvenile Prison. He mentors young children and connects with them through music, most notably taking a group of his proteges, boys between ages 5-12, to Guitar Center to learn about music. “We just talk about what’s going on in their lives and I show them what music can do. In Providence, we have an unbelievable artist community and I like showing the kids that part of our state.”
Involvement in community activism, charity events (you can find DJ Tek at most Cuban Revolution events) and social media are how he gets the word about what he’s doing and where he’s going.
“My goal is to be the best of the best when it comes to being a DJ, a marketing executive and acting,” says Micah. “But I also want to be the best of the best when it comes to giving back to my community.”
