By Lincoln DePradine

Joel Davis, the Trinidad-born entertainer whose stage name is “Connector’’, always has demonstrated a commitment to elevating culture through his leadership and promotion of various initiatives.

They have included the “Empowering Youth Showcase’’, organized by “Connector Music’’, aimed at building the confidence of children interested in pursuing careers as entertainers.

Davis also has been the driving force behind other ventures such as “Youth Explosion’’ and “Culture is We’’.

“The culture is dying and I want to keep it up and do my due diligence,’’ Davis told The Caribbean Camera last Saturday at an event hosted by Connector Music.

Artiste On A Mission (AOAM), the latest cultural undertaking by Davis, was conceived out of a recognition that many Toronto-based performers are “left out’’, and replaced by overseas talent, when shows are held in the city, he explained.

According to Davis, AOAM wants to create “a space’’ for talent in Canada.

“I am creating this space for a mixed group of performers, including veterans and up-and-coming artistes, including those involved in Calypso and Soca, Chutney, Reggae, R&B and Soul,’’ he said. “I bring artistes together, under one umbrella, to perform as one. It’s not about me; it’s about us, as artistes.’’

Davis, remaining true to AOAM’s mission, included a range of performers in Saturday’s program such as a steelpannist, as well as music covering other genres.

“This show is a clean show; you’ll get no vulgar music. It’s open for everybody to come and enjoy,’’ said Davis. “It’s making a way for artistes to be better represented around Toronto and Canada and, maybe, around the world.’’

An award-winning recording artiste and songwriter, and both a former Calypso Monarch and Soca Monarch of Canada, Davis also used Saturday’s event at Twilight Restaurant in Scarborough to launch a new four-piece band, Lynkx, in which he provides vocals.

“I am not just a Calypso and Soca artiste; I’m an entertainer,’’ said Davis, who is 2021 and 2022 PEABO winner, an awards’ ceremony that recognizes entertainers, promoters, athletes and business owners, “who have played a significant role’’ in community development.

As well, in 2018, he was named Caribbean Music Entertainment’s “Top Soca and Calypso Artiste’’.

Last year, Davis was recognized in the “Art & Culture’’ category of the Impact Awards, which were organized by The Caribbean Camera.