2022 SESSIONS

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MORNING YOGA - Saturday and Sunday

Scheera Robinson

Born and raised in the District of Columbia, Scheera started her journey with meditation and yoga several years ago. In 2018, she completed her 200 Hour Yoga teacher training and continues her education to better serve herself, family and community. Scheera is also certified as a Thai Yoga Bodywork Practitioner, Meditation Teacher, Reiki Practitioner, Birth Doula and soon Certified Holistic Health Coach. Scheera revolves around the importance of self-care, self-love, and how it’s a major key to peace and happiness with yourself. She incorporates mindful living into her teaching and everyday life principles.

Music Marketing for Indie Musicians

Stan "Substantial" Robinson

Are you interested in deepening your relationship with authentic creative expression? Do you enjoy connecting with other artists, musicians, and visionaries? This interactive workshop A session for indie musicians to learn about marketing strategies, monetization, play listing, crowdfunding, and free marketing tools.

Substantial Art & Music, LLC (SAM) is a multimedia organization focused on providing consulting services to the art and music community. SAM was founded in 2017, by husband-and-wife duo, Stan “Substantial” Robinson and Rachelle Etienne-Robinson. Together they provide design and consulting services to emerging and established independent artists, entrepreneurs and organizations. SAM provides professional advice and guidance through consultations, workshops, and webinars as well as provide additional services like graphic/web design. SAM has facilitated workshops at Amazon headquarters in Seattle, Washington, the Hawaii State Art Museum, Pratt Institute, and Otakon. In addition, Stan and Rachelle produce and host a biweekly podcast called ARTdustry: where art meets industry. SAM has produced special events that have been featured in several media outlets like, WTOP, Washington Informer, and Fox 5 DC. In 2020, SAM was named Carib Biz Network Top 50 Influential Caribbean American Entrepreneurs & Freelancers.

Becoming a Creative Entrepreneur

Yudu Gray Jr.

This session will focus on helping artists create steps and strategies for successful business lives. This can be more challenging for creatives who may not have the business background or experience.

Yudu has over 20 years in the Music Business. He founded House Studios in 2010 with his wife Davina with the desire to redefine how music was created and shared. Their vision was rooted in the idea of creating a true home for all artists; a place designed to nurture, guide, and support the artist’s journey. The approach was immediately embraced by the community and has led to collaborations with artists including Logic, Wale, Post Malone and Kendrick Lamar, to name a few. Yudu’s love for entrepreneurship and teaching lead him to sell House Studios and start 247 Artists. Understanding that artists are creators and every creator is an entrepreneur. Providing the tools needed for every creator to be successful.

Session Title: Are You Ready to Be Seen?

Micheline Nicole Bowman

Hear tips and ways to have your brand ready for media opportunities! Are you ready to be seen? Are you a brand? Get tips and ways to prepare for media opportunities.

Micheline Bowman graduated from Morgan State University with a B.A. in Broadcast/Journalism in 1988.  She worked in the television industry for 27 years after landing her first job in 1989 at WTTG, Fox 5 News in Washington, DC. 

From producing to writing, community outreach, planning to managing events, and supervising a news department internship program, her list of accomplishments in the broadcast media industry read like a book.
In 2017, her job was eliminated, and she knew that meant her career was spiritually elevated. Micheline took a moment to figure out her next move, and decided to start her own business, “Bowman Media Group LLC”, which focuses on Media Relations/Branding/Media Training, and Publicity. Her motto, “Are You Ready To Be Seen?” She works with individuals and companies to create an effective media plan for ultimate media exposure.

Aside from her business, she continues to be a sought after host and Mistress of Ceremonies for various local and national events. Micheline is currently the Brand Ambassador for “Experience Prince George’s” highlighting and showcasing various people, places and things in the county she calls home, IKNOW Skincare for women of color 50 years and older, and Nila Bags, a woman owned, handmade, and one-of-a-kind luxury bag company.

Music and Creativity for Healing

Tamara Wellons

Whether music is heard, felt or seen in any environment, it can change the way we experience living. This music workshop explores how music is used as a service and care in healthcare environments as well as a tool for artists' inner healing.

Tamara Wellons is a vaunted, soulful vocalist whose artistry resonates in multiple realms with the vitality of the timeless definition of rhythm and blues. Also, she’s a passionate, empathetic Piscean who understands -- on multiple levels -- the healing essence of music.

Songs come to her, like life, in transformative cycles. Her 2022 fall release, Months of Sundays, is her fourth, and perhaps, most personal, yet.  It will follow three critically-acclaimed records (Life Is 2008; Songs for Janie 2012; Pretty 2016) that in the past decade have seen her perform at renowned venues, including Washington, DC’s Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, and Blues Alley, Richmond Jazz Festival  and London’s Jazz Cafe. Furthermore, the success of these records has allowed her to be featured in the Washington Post, New York Times, and other publications of note globally.

In the realm of arts in healthcare, Tamara is an expert and manages an artist in residence program. Her work in healthcare systems allows her to deliver wellness and healing to patients, families and healthcare workers via music and the arts. As owner of Her Dreams Productions and as a creative in this realm, she oversees and manages four cancer centers and two hospitals in the Washington DC Metropolitan Area. 

Tamara devotes much of her time volunteering in service to the music community and serves as President of the DC Chapter of the Recording Academy. 

Music Arts Therapy

Charles "Eclipse" Barnes

Using simple beats, writing exercises, music that moves mood and emotions, and games, Music Arts Therapy workshops are an enjoyable way of de-stressing and facilitating open discussion through music. Join talented lyricist, poet, ghostwriter, and music educator Charles R. Barnes, Jr. aka Eclipse, for this interactive session.

Charles R. Barnes. Jr., also known as Eclipse, is a talented lyricist, poet, ghostwriter, and music educator. An ear for music, beats, patterns, metaphors, and word play, Eclipse was trained early in the art of music. Born to a drummer in a music band, Eclipse accompanied his father on stage in performances starting as early as the age of 4. By age 8 he was writing original songs to old school instrumentals such as The Gap Band or James Brown, by 10 he had formed his own rap group. His professional music career began in 1998 when he joined a rap trio named Dark Alley. He quickly became a fan favorite and the main writer of the majority of their songs. In 2004 he left the group to go solo. In 2019, he founded his own label, Dark Squad Entertainment. Eclipse is particularly gifted in writing lyrics that connect to the heart and the depth of the human experience. His music has been lauded as “audio food for the soul”. His single History, written for Black History month of 2021 is a thoughtful journey into the lives of civil rights leaders Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Malcolm X. It encourages us to come to the understanding that history consists of the personal actions we each perform from day to day and how we respond daily decisions and to adversity. Presently, Eclipse has released his debut EP, “What’s Done in the Dark Will Come to the Light” on all streaming platforms. It is an introspective journey exploring all sides of Eclipse as a musician. From songs like “Love and Pain” to the straight club banger “Shut it Down”, his songs speak and connect to the ear and heart of audiences of all ages and backgrounds. Mr. Barnes serves as Director of Musical Arts for a DC nonprofit teaching inner city children to express anger, sadness, dreams, powerlessness, and aspirations through rhythm and poetry. He is passionate about assisting new artists in stage presence, songwriting, and musical arrangement. His work has been profiled on radio, FB interviews, Live Shows, and poetry readings. He currently resides in Maryland.

Songwriting: Tips to Increase, Improve, and Ignite Your Musical Output

Sarah Fridrich

A life-long student of the craft of songwriting, will share with fellow DC area music creators the tips and tools gained from working with respected songwriting masters such as Pat Pattison, Mary Gautier, and Bonnie Hayes. Topics will include daily writing routines and exercises to get yourself writing a LOT more, re-writing and editing your songs without fear, and the benefits & how-tos of co-writing and songwriting accountability groups. An interactive sessions participants will engage in some fun, timed, fast-writing exercises to get them started and inspired!

Sarah Fridrich is a songwriter and multi-instrumentalist and vocalist. She holds a B.A. in Jazz Music from UMD-College Park, and a B.A. in Philosophy from St. Johns College. She is a member of Ascap and Songwriters of Washington, and has been awarded an Individual Artist Grant from Montgomery County Arts and Humanities (2009), a Finalist award from MidAtlantic Song Contest (2011), and an Honorable Mention from MidAtlantic Song Contest (2015). She has been attending the Rocky Mountain Song School since 2018, hosted by the renowned Planet Bluegrass in Lyons, CO.

How Do You Stand Out with Style?

By Ting Lin

Music is more visual than ever before. From social media presence, to website, to album cover, to music video, to concert and other mediums, an artist has to create a cohesive visual story for the audience. Fashion style is a critical part of that story. It adds depth and dimension to the music. It allows the artist to express who they are, what they stand for, and how they feel. And if done right, it can make the artist stand out. In this interactive session, you will learn how to develop a style that is authentic to you, how to incorporate fashion into your music business, how to dress for different music occasions, and more! There will be a presentation, show & tell segment, and Q&A session.

Ting Lin is a creative entrepreneur and small business owner in the DMV area. She is a fashion consultant for Ting Lin Fashion, specializing in wardrobe audit/organization, personal shopping, styling for individuals and brands. She is also a singer, songwriter, and performer for Ting Lin Music!

PANEL: HipHop.Game Presents the Metaverse

Mental Stamina aka Tyrone Norris, Charles Karpati, aka CVMinigames, Ryan Stevenson, Shana Campbell, MPA

Mental Stamina is a Futurist, Engineer, Artist & Revolutionary (FEAR) who began learning to write code and rhymes as a high school student. This led to him launching his first online hip hop community HHDB.com (Hip Hop Database) over 20 years ago. He built it up to generate millions of visitors before it peaked and crashed. In 2007, his group Rosetta Stoned was voted "Best Rap Group" in DC by the Washington City Paper as they performed on over 100 shows with artists like Tech N9ne, Freddie Gibbs, Immortal Technique, etc. This led him to artist development and management as he mentored brands like RDGLDGRN, Paperboy Prince, Yo! Majesty, etc under the umbrella of his clothing company One vs Many.

In 2011, he was the first promoter to book Logic in DC as his DC Rap community provided weekly platforms like Cake & Kisses to fuel local artist growth. In 2015, Mental Stamina began developing applications for professional clients like Nike, Capital One, US Department of Energy, T-Mobile, etc. In 2020, he managed a congressional campaign for one of his artists while negotiating partnerships with Facebook, McDonalds and Gucci. After 12 years of artist management, he quit to focus on technology. In 2021, Mental Stamina made and lost his first million dollars investing in cryptocurrency poetically symbolizing his life long journey with expansion and contraction. Always teetering between technology and art, he's using artificial intelligence to release his first solo album & book titled "Medusa Phoenix" as NFTs. In 2022, he's fully focused on his latest venture that beautifully braids everything in his past by using rap verses to create customized metaverse in the Hip Hop Game (Generative Autonomous Metaverse Experience) www.hiphop.game @HIPHOPxGAME

Charles Karpati, aka CVMinigames, is a MD Born developer working on the metaverse. Graduating from UMBC in 2017, He worked 5 years making data for the city of Baltimore before joining voxels.com in March of 2022. Voxels is a 3D world built on the blockchain that caters to creatives. It serves as just one of the many worlds that comprise the metaverse.

Ryan Stevenson is a Baltimore based interdisciplinary artist known best for photographing everyday people like celebrities, and celebrities like everyday people.

A career that began in the late 1990s as a hip hop magazine photo-journalist, Stevenson would eventually transform into a fine art documentarian and project strategist for several prominent internationally renowned artists.

In April 2021, Stevenson began learning about cryptocurrencies. By October that same year, his research and investments granted him exponential financial growth beyond his dreams. Realizing that anyone had the power to change their financial life for the better in a short amount of time, he made it his mission to teach as many others as he could about his insights and methods.

Today his ‘subject legacy first’ focus continues through combining his love of Hip Hop music, 3d modeling, graphic design, and information technologies to help found HIPHOP.GAME, a Web3 music and gaming platform where everybody is an enterprising star and their art is forever preserved on the blockchain.

Shana Ryan Campbell, MPA affectionately known as Shea is a proud graduate of the illustrious Spelman College c'2010 as well as a graduate of Baruch College, School of Public Affairs, where she earned a Master's of Public Administration in 2014. Most recently, for the past year, she served as the Program Manager for the Commission on Community Reinvestment & the Closure of Rikers Island. Shana is an avid mental health and criminal justice advocate, public servant and owner of Le Haute Spa, a cannabis brand she launched in 2019, with aims to educate consumers on the many health benefits of the cannabis plant. Today, she is a brand ambassador of the metro NYC NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) affiliate chapter as well as an Outreach Executive of Oak Street Health where she connects patients on Medicare with quality preventive primary care and social services. As an idealist investor in the cryptocurrency market, she has been proud to help educate others as she believes cryptocurrency is a vital tool for people of color to maintain and build generational wealth as well as the greatest wealth transfer we've seen in our lifetime. With over ten years of direct sales marketing experience in the non-profit/corporate sectors, alignment with the Join.Coin community has been a blessing and she is excited to continue connecting talented artists/fellow investors to the Hiphop.game ecosystem, Metaverse, as well as assist others to grow their digital asset portfolios. Connect with Shana on all socials, @saudadeconshea.

Jumpstart Your Career Today – Start Your Career Before You Graduate

David Srebnik

This presentation is intended for all performers, composers, conductors, ensembles, artist management and managers and producers. Learn the best ways to bring increased focus to your career and creative goals. Through this process, you will also find the best ways to connect with new audiences and the media.

Here are some of the things we will cover during our time together:

Your Artist Statement – finding the message and the story that will move your career forward. It also informs you when to say “yes” and when to say “no” to opportunities that come your way. Together, we will create a clear, concise idea of who you are, what you really do and how you stand out as a performer, composer, conductor, ensemble artistic leader and innovator.
Your Bio – Is your bio a long and impressive list of your accomplishments, awards and names of people you've worked with…or is it a story? Should it be both?
Your website – the 5-second rule.
Social Media – Best practices that preach beyond your current choir.
Strategic planning, especially for your passion projects.
How to connect with the media, especially to promote new recordings and new projects.

Time permitting… Crushing the interview and other media mindsets.

David Srebnik is a creative advisor and advocate for performers, composers, ensembles and institutions. For more than 30 years, David Srebnik was the Program Director at Public Radio Stations in Texas, Florida, Michigan and New Orleans, and was an Associate Producer for National Public Radio’s “Performance Today.”

For 10 years, he served as the Classical Music Manager at Sirius XM, where he created and directed content on the Satellite's two classical music stations. He also hosted and produced special programs with Yannick Nézet-Séguin and the Philadelphia Orchestra, Yo-Yo Ma, Philip Glass, Emanuel Ax, Itzhak Perlman and many others.

Musical America listed him on their annual report, “The MA 30 Professionals of the Year: ‘The Influencers’". “It’s crowded out there; I find ways for artists to stand out and stand apart in our current, hyperactive media environment where everyone is clamoring for attention."

Intellectual Property: Protecting Your Business's Assets

Adia B. Coleman

Adia Burriss Coleman, a native Washingtonian, has a wealthe of experience in intellectual Property Management. A graduate of Morgan State Univeersity for her Bachelors's in History, and of University of Maryland for her Masster's in Imformation Management, Adia used her specialization in Competitive Intelligence to hone in on the one aspect that the entrereneurial community needs to capitalize on-the owership of copyright, patent, trade secret, and/or trademark-IP.

In her role as the Patent and Trademark Manager for the School of Business Library, Adia represents Howard University in the Patent and Trademark Resource Center Program (PTRC), a Federally designated inititative dating back to 1790 in which certain libraries serve as satellite offices tot he United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). In this capacity, Adia has made strategicpartnerships to further benefit the entrepreneurs she counsels such as the DC Small Business Development Center (DC SBDC0, the Institute of Intellectual Property and Social Justice (ILPSJ), the DC Bar Pro Bono, and many more. As the daughter of a serial entrepreneur, Adia's understanding of the needs, risks and success factors for small business owners is immersed and strongly rooted.

PANEL:
Saving Our Venues Through Harmonious Living
and Local Legislation

Aaron Myers - DC Music Stakeholders, David Meni - Councilmember Nadeau's Office, Catherine Ferrando - Black Cat DC Christopher Naoum - DC Music Stakeholders

COVID dealt our community a massive blow with over 12 venues closing their doors permanently during the pandemic. The city is changing before our eyes and the displacement of our creative community is probably our greatest challenge. As a community we need to use all the tools at our disposal to renvision how our city can support the arts and music community in a dynamic changing city landscape. Legislation and funding are crucial parts of the change that is needed. The DC Music stakeholder coalition has been working with members of our community and council to draft, amend and propose legislation that will support the growth and survival of our performance institutions. Two very important pieces of legislation include the Performance Arts Promotion Amendment and the proposed Harmonious Living Bill. Join our panel of experts to learn more about how you can support the changing city landscape and how as a community we can work together to create change that can benefit the music ecosystem as a whole.

PANEL: Web 3 in Music

Tommy Luginbill, Dominic Fragman, and James McCoy

The music industry is currently one of the most heavily impacted by Web3. Blockchain, NFTs, and the metaverse are evolving the way artists and fans interact and support one another. What is Web3 in the music industry and what does it mean for artists and creators to bridge Web2 to Web3? This session is led by the founders of SAFE Royalties.

Inventor & Co-Founder, SAFE Royalties, Tommy Luginbill has always been infinitely passionate about helping people and animals in any way that he can. Merging the art of science, business, and technology, he is on a mission to create positive change in not only his community but across the globe. When he isn’t immersed in his multifaceted career, Tommy enjoys spending quality time with his wife Alison and daughter Brooke.

Musician & Co-Founder, SAFE Royalties, Dominic Fragman "brings innovation to his musical approach," states WBAL news radio. Guitar Player Magazine and Laughing Squid call him "amazing" and "remarkable." Fragman is a multi-instrumentalist, performer, and entrepreneur whose work focuses on improvisation, innovation, and freedom. He is the Solo Trio, a founder of the envelope-pushing musical group, Sonic Spirits, and the co-founder of SAFE, the first service to stream music NFTS directly on major DSPs.

James McCoy is a serial entrepreneur and Ph.D candidate at Howard University where his research focuses on the intersection of deep technology and innovation. In 2020, He founded Kutline, which is an events platform that connecting live performances to Metaverse venues for live ticketed events.

The Five Star Standard: Best Band Leader and Performance Practices

Jarreau Williams

The best artists/bands in the industry come with the expectation that their performance will be top-tier and one that concert goers will talk about long after its over. But there's a lot that happens behind the scenes to ensure those expectations are met. The goal of a stellar performance is to set the tone. Create a standard. The five-star standard.

Jarreau Williams is an award-winning vocalist, recording artist, entertainer, entrepreneur, and event specialist from Alexandria, VA. A Virginia Tech graduate with degrees in Psychology and Theatre Arts, Jarreau has built a prominent career in the arts appearing on stage and screen, a member of Actors Equity Association and the GRAMMY Recording Academy, and winner of four Wammie Awards and two Telly Awards. Williams and his band, JWX: The Jarreau Williams Experience, perform across the region including shows at Pearl Street Warehouse, Jammin Java, and The Howard Theatre. In his downtime, Jarreau serves as a mentor and consultant for rising artists in business and performance management.

Beyond Branding: 3 Music Marketing Strategies You Shouldn't Ignore!

Glenda Lee and DJ Jealousy

Often, artists heavily pursue branding efforts -- logos, social profiles, personal styling, video shoots, etc. -- yet neglect low-budget/high-impact tactics that can directly influence listener and revenue growth. Follower engagement, media placements, and creative crossover collabs are 3 often-overlooked means of creating consumer affinity. We may explore local music label New Level Entertainment as a case study (www.instagram.com/newlevelentmt).

Glenda Lee. Energetic industry voice for conferences, trainings, and hosted events. - Passionate hospitality instructor, currently funneling today's workforce with emerging work-ready, high-performing talent. - Influential marketing professional with a career foundation in hospitality management, primarily relationship-based sales and event and social media marketing. Specialties: Talent development, client engagement, brand expansion.

PANEL: Booked & Busy

Quinelle Holder, Sabrina Vaz-Holder, Joe Lapan, Kristina Austin, and Antonio Ervin

Live shows are the lifeline for independent and emerging artists. This panel will educate and enlighten attendees on the process of booking, strengthening EPK’s and etiquette when presenting your art. 

Quinelle Holder His resume includes in-house publicist for Grammy-nominated triple threat LunchMoney Lewis’ LunchBox Records imprint, Sr. Publicist for SONY's The Orchard (Urban Division), Director of Publicity for Pusha T's Heir Wave Music Group, and consultant for All Def Digital. Coach Q’s extensive knowledge of the music industry as well as his business savvy has landed him local recognition from Pharrell William’s ‘Something In The Water’s festival (#VAForThePeople: Community Conversations), William & Mary as a guest panelist for their 2nd Annual Hip Hop Celebration, and earned him a spot on The Media Prince & #MADEINTHEDMV’s 2021 ‘35 Under 35’ list.

Furthermore, Holder gained national notoriety from VIBE Magazine when he was asked to join them for their TDE Vs. GQ discussion. In 2020, he was named one of AfroTech‘s 10 Black Men Who Found Success Through Digital Platforms. In 2017 he joined The Recording Academy's DC Chapter, where he served as Board Advisor, Co-Membership Chair, and Hip-Hop Committee Member. 

Joe Lapan is the co-owner and marketing director for Songbyrd Music House and Byrdland Records. Songbyrd Music House is an award-winning 230-person live music venue and Byrdland Records is a vinyl record shop and newly-created record label, both located in DC’s Union Market neighborhood. Joe focuses on building the "Byrd" programming, product and brand to meet the mission of providing a music discovery and celebration platform that provides value to music lovers of all varieties. Joe runs Classic Album Sundays D.C., the local outpost of London-based, worldwide classic album listening and celebration platform “Classic Album Sundays.” Joe is a board member of Local First DMV and former board member of the Adams Morgan Community Alliance.

Sabrina Vaz-Holder A photographer by trade, she graduated from Old Dominion University's Communication Program and served as a producer at Sirius XM, before freelancing as a visual artist for Jay Z's Roc Nation. She currently teaches independent music artists how to successfully navigate the music industry after serving as the Head of Marketing for EMPIRE distributed label Reflection Music Group. Brands that have contracted her for work include Red Bull, Samsung, Cinnabon, Pampers, and Petco. 

Kristina Austin aka Trilla Kay DJ/930 Club Manager. TrillaKay is a D.C. based DJ, creative, and entrepreneur. Having shown an affinity for music from a very young age, TrillaKay has been fine-tuning their DJ skills with a unique repertoire of mixes, music elements and playlists. Their career took off in 2019, propelled by a loyal following that loved the mind-bending sounds of TrillaKay. With influences ranging from house to international sounds and hip hop, this is one DJ who isn’t afraid to innovate and try something new.

Antonio “Nature Boi” Ervin  - Artist/Founder & Curator of Open Gem USA
DMV-based artist Nature Boi represents the culture in its totality. With skills including producing, dee-jaying, and curation, his talents shine every step of the way. With all these skills combined, Nature’s natural habitat is nurturing artists as much as it is creating on his own art. In 2017, he created Open Gem USA, which started as an open mic and evolved into an ecosystem. 

How to Produce a Show to Remember

Kemi Adegoroye

Fresh off of producing a milestone show at Jammin Java with my band Terra Firma, I am eager to share how I worked with my team to turn a show pitch into the show of the summer at Jammin Java. In partnership with Jarreau Williams and the production staff of Jammin Java, we set and met our ticket sale goals, put together an incredible program, and entertained our attendees with a night in celebration of soul, live music, and independent artists.

Kemi Adegoroye is a singer-songwriter based in the DC Metro Area, with a music career that spans multiple genres, from jazz, R&B, and soul to musical theatre and pop. She performs regularly as a solo act and as the frontwoman of DC-based soul, jazz, and R&B band Terra Firma. Her versatile vocals and vivid storytelling can be heard on her debut EP of original music, For the Record, which earned her a spot as a 2022 Wammie Awards finalist for Best R&B/Soul Artist and Best R&B/Soul Album.

How To Get a Distribution Deal using RepItSocial

D'Oyen and Azalaya Fraser

Join us as RepItSocial CEOs, D'Oyen and Azalaya Fraser, introduce a new, customizable, social media platform for creatives and independent artists to rep their many talents - all for the amazing opportunity to win cash and a distribution deal with Sony!

PANEL: Women Paving their Professional Music Careers Forward

Benay L. Walker, DJ Bri Mafia, Briena Brinay, Diamond Lashawn, Victoria Lizardo

BLingual, The Language Initiative is a creative consultancy pioneered by Arabic Calligraphy Muralist and Vinyl DJ, Benay L. Walker. A Washington D.C. native, Her initiative currently operates in the DMV area and exists to bridge the communal need for idea-sharing & strengthening language access through arts & curated music production. BLingual provides niche creative services in Arabic and other calligraphies through public art murals on buildings, woods & metals, glass etchings, and other commissioned mediums. Benay also goes under the moniker, "...R WE ON THE AIR?!", as a Vinyl DJ & Sound Designer. She effortlessly blends genres like jazz-fusion/funk, hip-hop, world, and electronica so that all those experiencing her unique selections can respond to the musical elements. This initiative also improves artistic communication access and educational resources for partners, creatives, and minority students utilizing foreign languages in their projects around the DMV area and internationally.

BLingual also maintains a network of design, technology, music/audio, & foreign language professionals that seek justice for persons needing linguistic services in Spanish, Arabic, ASL/SSL, Amharic, and Tigrinya. You can listen to live recorded DJ mixes by RWEONTHEAIR?! on her Mixcloud & Soundcloud stations. She also frequently spins vinyl at her Allegory of Eaton Hotel DC and Bump & Grind Analog Market DJ residencies. Follow @Rweontheair for music updates, and check out Benay's Arabic calligraphy artistry at @BLingual on Instagram...and around the world as public art too!

Vik Lizardo is a proud alumna of Morgan State University. She is the Founder and creative mastermind behind Lizard Vision Production, a multimedia small business. She also is the Rentals and Events Coordinator of the art hub, Motor House, in Baltimore, Maryland. She enjoys her role at Motor House because she helps artists, non-profits, and anyone in the process of putting on a performance or event from conceptual idea to completion. In this process, she assists with live sound audio engineering, stage lighting, and overall assuring everything goes smoothly. In her free time, Vik enjoys art in many forms and even creates it herself. Having had her art exhibited in ESCAPE2NY Art Expo in Brooklyn, NY this past spring, and in another exhibit amongst some of the best artists in Baltimore, MD this fall. Her platforms are foley/audio production, music production, live sound audio engineering, graphic designing with a concentration in photoshop manipulation, videography, photography, creative directing, and more.

Originally from Dover, Delaware and a current resident of Baltimore, MD, DJ Bri Mafia has been based in the DMV since 2015, stemming the start of her DJ career. Bri is an underground DJ dedicated to providing outlets for the local creative scenes in both Baltimore and the DMV through her brand 4theDMV. With a professional career of over 4 years in the beer industry, she currently holds the role as Territory Sales Manager at Urban Garden Brewing, DC’s 1st Black Woman Owned beer distribution company. Through her platform BrewzN’Viewz, it’s her mission to inform curators and creators how to sustain their creative lanes through beer brand collaborations.

Briena Brinay aka PAXXIØN is a 24 year old r&b, hip hop/drill artist based in the DMV, but originally from Detroit, MI. She tends to travel between the DMV & LA to bring her visions to life. She paves a road of her own with not only her fusion of old & new sound, but her stage presence and creative cultivation skills. Her image/brand is inspired heavily by Duality and several East Asian Cultures, Her stage name being a clever mix of the word Passion and Roman numerals for the number 21. Debuting in January 2021, she has released 5 singles, 3 features, 2 performances and still has two EP’s in the vault all within her first year.

Diamond Lashawn is a singer from Washington, DC. A family friend discovered her talent when she overheard her singing a Yolanda Adams song. Although she enjoyed playing outside as a child, she wasn’t a stranger to singing along to her favored songs. “[She] called a mom and told her what she heard, and my mom made me sing it to her while she sat in shock.’

Growing up in the inner city, Diamond went through the stages of being indecisive about what she wanted to be. “I thought I wanted to be a lawyer, then a doctor, seems like I could never set on anything in particular until I started tapping into my gift [singing], that became the something I knew I wanted to do.” At 16, she began practicing, accepting her talent, and refusing to ignore it.

She graduated from Morgan State University with a concentration in Television Production and fell in love with the thought of her being a star one day. Instilled with patiences, she aspires to be the most excellent version of herself. “I am very passionate about my family. Being a mom inspires me, being the best for my sons, and just the thought of being able to wake up and go after another opportunity every day is so fulfilling.”

Diamond released a remix to Jay-Z’s “Feelin It” in 2018, and the lyrics were full of transparency. Her audience describes her as not just another pretty face as she manages to embody the sassiness that women convey while remaining sexy, classy, and poised.

Advocating for some, children, and equality issues, Diamond, shares her voice with the world beyond music. From her platform, she is interested in giving back to a larger scale through encouragement by creating jobs and opportunities for her community, “I want people that may fell stuck to know that life is still possible after becoming a parent”

The 90s era inspires Diamond’s sounds, and she is a fan of Mary J. Blige. She is passionate about releasing music that she loves and Drown feat. Eastman & Dyson Alexander is the first single from her upcoming project, and it’s streaming on all platforms. “Even when you think no one is watching someone is. Something an accomplishment isn’t necessarily an accolade but instead what you have proven to yourself and that you enjoy what you do, I love and enjoy what I do.”

Making Positive Impacts

Jon Eye (Jonathan Iredell)

This session is about how to effectively create impacts and positive changes in the community with your music, lyrics, and events. Sharing a decade of education, performing, and event hosting experience focusing on making positive impacts and creating opportunities for your network with positive and effective techniques.

Art, Music, Science, Math, and Writing educator, artist and event organizer, poet and author, Jonathan Iredell with 10 years of education and music event experience speaking about how to impact your community and youth positively with your music

A Tool For Education And Therapy 

Marc Toureille 

This session is about how music can be used as a powerful tool in both the educational and therapeutic settings. With over 14 years experience working with children on the autism spectrum including the past 9 years at The Floortime Center, Marc will discuss how music can be used effectively to help grow a child’s social and emotional development. Floortime Therapy, which was developed by Dr. Stanley Greenspan and is used worldwide, is a play-based method which focuses on a strong connection between the therapist and child.

Marc 2Ray, who hails from the suburbs of Washington, DC, has a vision of how hip-hop can be used as a tool to educate and empower. Spending his days working as a therapist for children with special needs at The Floortime Center, Marc uses music to help connect with clients and build their social and emotional connections. Building off his background in the educational field, Marc’s music is used in curricula at multiple schools such as St. Petersburg College, Montgomery College, and more. With Armenian Genocide survivors and Holocaust rescuers as grandparents on either side of his family tree, Marc was inspired to create songs such as “1915,” which led to world-wide renown and live performances in Times Square, outside The White House, and at The March For Justice in front of thousands of supporters in Los Angeles.

The Entrepreneur In “U” Opportunity Challenges

Samonee K.

This session is about encouraging creatives or attendees to define their passion and work towards it. As an Archbishop Carroll Alumni, Samonee K strives to keep music and our community alive in the city and to move our talent worldwide.

Samonee K. is a serial entrepreneur with an eclectic background in strategic marketing, music, branding, and media. Her passion is to empower creatives to build crafts into legacy businesses that stand the test of time.

How to Book a Successful Tour

Amy K. Bormet

Women in Jazz from the DC scene describe the different goals and accomplishments they have received from touring, from regionally to internationally, and tips on booking and managing your own tour.

Amy K Bormet is a pianist, vocalist, and composer, known for her fearless free-wheeling style and dedication to creating new music. To collaborate with and celebrate women musicians, she started the annual Washington Women in Jazz Festival in 2011, directing, financing, and performing in an annual festival and women-focused events throughout the year in the DC area. She has formed several ensembles to perform and record her compositions. Los Angeles-based quintet, AmyAna, co-led with Brazilian drummer Ana Barreiro, released their debut album in 2019, and performed an east coast tour in March 2022. The Harold Trio, an instant composition ensemble with Tina Raymond, drums and Biggi Vinkeloe, saxophone/flute, released their second album, Open Secrets, in 2019. Her quintet, Ephemera, a project of women’s poetry and improvisation, performed a two-week tour of Sweden. Amy’s recordings are available through Strange Woman Records, which she co-owns with guitarist/producer and husband Dr. Matt Dievendorf. As an educator and a mentor, Amy K Bormet amplifies her performance tours with outreach masterclasses and workshops, recently at the Thailand International Jazz Conference (Mahidol University, January 2020) and Los Angeles City College (February 2020). She is a teaching artist, collaborating with the Kennedy Center’s newest programming at the REACH to present and perform with her all-women trio “the future of jazz is female” for middle school students. She continues to serve as a mentor, teaching at the summer program for the Washington Jazz Arts Institute, where she has participated since she was a high school student at Duke Ellington School of the Arts. She received her Jazz Studies Piano Performance BFA from the University of Michigan, where she serves on the alumni board of the School of Music, Theatre, and Dance. Inspired by her University of Michigan professor Geri Allen, Amy went to Howard University, and graduated with a MFA in Jazz Studies.

The Business of Getting a Major Label Quality Mix – For Artists (And Mix Engineers)

Chris Carter

This will be a presentation on the business and logistical aspects of the working relationship between the artist (or label) and the mix engineer. We will explore each of the elements of this subject from both the artist perspective as well as the mix engineer’s perspective. The goal is to provide both the artist and the mix engineer the information and tools they need to navigate the hiring and compensation process, the creative working process, and the delivery process. In these discussions there will be ample overview of expected business practices so that everyone knows what to expect in a professional situation in order to maximize the results of the project, as well as how to avoid the pitfalls that often compromise, or completely sabotage, the end result.

Chris ‘Von Pimpenstein’ Carter is a major label mix engineer and record producer with several #1 hit radio singles and numerous top 40 charting records. Chris’s body of work ranges from GRAMMY nominated artists and those on major labels like Universal and Sony, to as small as the local independent artist. Some of the artists Chris has worked with include j. Monty, Jasmine Trias, Backstreet Boys, Adrian Marcel, Rozzi, Christabelle, Natalise, and more.

PANEL
Byrdland Records Presents Pressing and Distributing Vinyl Records

Joe Lapan and Phillip Basnight & Rebecca Silverstein of Broke Royals

Vinyl is one of the fastest growing physical formats in the music industry, but how do you get it pressed, distributed and retailed in 2022? Join Byrdland Records for a conversation on this topic. In 2022, Byrdland Records launched a local vinyl records label and is putting out the latest album "Local Support" from DC's own Broke Royals this fall. But how are we doing this and how can you do the same? Join us at DCMS to find out! This panel will be hosted by Byrdland Records owner Joe Lapan along with Phillip Basnight and Rebecca Silverstein from Broke Royals and other guests to be announced.

Joe Lapan (Byrdland Records)

Broke Royals

Style and Branding Beyond the Audio & Visual

Stephen Wikes (Night Train 357) and Briana Pullen-Wilkes

The session will take a deep dive in some of the best practices when building a successful brand and identity and ways to organize and monetize. We will discuss visual representations, and diversifying your streams of income to affect every aspect of your music. Music is a pivotal part of American culture and touches all of us through sound, persona, and fashion and even the events you attend! Everything factors into your growth as an artist and we will show you how with examples including my work with other clients and my award-winning album, The Nightlife LP.

Stephen "Night Train 357" Wilkes promotes the importance of branding and brand consistency. In his 17+ years as a graphic artist he's worked with clients such as NASA, TV One, the CDC, Kamala Harris, and many more, winning several awards. As an emcee he's open for major Hip-Hop artists and won a Wammie for Best Rap Album. As martial artist he has received his first-degree black belt and has co-written an award-winning independent film. Consistency is the key.

Racism in Children's Music: Liberating Music for the Black Child

Devin Walker (Uncle Devin)

Viewed within the historical context of chattel-slavery and settler-colonialism, this workshop explores the history of racism in children’s music in the United States and abroad; how popular nursery rhymes continue to be used to reinforce inferiority complexes in children; and the cultural appropriation of African music in popular children’s movies.

This workshop includes videos of cartoons, songs, images, and provides extensive references for follow-up study.  It will discuss the role of negro spirituals as a tool for resistance by enslaved Africans and will provide practical solutions and resources to help parents, teachers, and guardians take back control of their children’s music listening experience.

Devin Walker is the Washington, DC Director for Teaching Artists of the Mid-Atlantic (TAMA), a network that advocates for, empowers, and supports Teaching Artists throughout the Mid-Atlantic region. TAMA calls on the arts and culture sector, the philanthropic community, schools, libraries, retirement homes, detention centers, and all community members and entities to value Teaching Artists as paid professionals.

Self Amplify! Producing & Podcasting Your Art

Elise Perry

This class will assist the attendee in identifying their story, their audience, the market and their best medium of distribution. 
 This course will touch upon: Setting Up Your Recording space |Telling your story | Building your content network | Distributing your products | Understanding analytics and shifting accordingly

Elise Perry is a Veteran Music Producer/Arranger, Film/Video Director and Content Creator for broadcast, web, corporate, government, Film, TV, Ad Agency and artistic & musical performance. 

From government programs to nationally broadcasted network news, Presidential Inaugurations and great performances, Elise has worked on a long list of these productions seen locally and worldwide as a Live Performance Director/Technical Director, Camera Operator, broadcast specialist for (NBC, BET, National Geographic, PBS,  TEDxWDC), Video/Film Director (Tracy Hamlin “Talk To Me”, Kindred The Family Soul, “Going To The Go-Go”, “Behind (Zo's) ManMade", LilSoSo's "AudioTrip" ), Co-Producer/Director (“Kindred Presents”) Documentary Editor (“Citizen Consumer", "DogParks & CoffeeShops")  

In parallel, Elise is a  Music Producer/Arranger for music artists, film scores and various production music. Notable work is (Tamara Wellons “Runaway” Kindred The Family Soul “Far Away”, "Rhythm Of Life", "My Time" ) Film Score Producer/Music Supervisor (Harold Jackson’s “Last Night”, Sonya Grier’s “Citizen Consumer", "DogParks & CoffeeShops", BET’s “Hits From The Street”, “Uncut”, Maxie Collier's "Mind Games”). Vocal Producer/Arranger ("Tamara Wellons "Behind The Veil", "Smells Like Teen Spirit").

Currently, Ms. Perry is the current President of the Washington DC Chapter of the Recording Academy. She is producing music for various artists and projects, developing bold distribution platforms and programming structures for Innovative programming for video and music. 

Media Mayhem

Tim Howard

The session will discuss how important the media is to grow your brand and how to use a variety of media and arts to market your music.

UrHero SupaTim has been a part of the local indie media scene for over a decade. Using TV, online and FM radio, blogs and social media to report on what's going on in the nation's capital. I have produced hundreds of hours of content and have been nominated and won a variety of awards.

PANEL: Hypno-Sound Therapy

Moderator: Quatae Boone

Marc Toureille and Felipe Paccagnella

Hypno-Sound therapy will bring music to its basic form by using vibrations and frequencies used by instruments and techniques. While listening to music, Quatae will guide and lead meditations that will allow participants to flow into relaxation and escape into their own imagination.

Quatae Boone is a unique local DC artist, not only gifted in graphic art, but also in acting, and healing with using music and meditations to help clients escape with the art of hypnosis.

Marc Toureille who hails from the suburbs of Washington, DC, has a vision of how hip-hop can be used as a tool to educate and empower. Spending his days working as a therapist for children with special needs at The Floortime Center, Marc uses music to help connect with clients and build their social and emotional connections. Building off his background in the educational field, Marc’s music is used in curricula at multiple schools such as St. Petersburg College, Montgomery College, and more. With Armenian Genocide survivors and Holocaust rescuers as grandparents on either side of his family tree, Marc was inspired to create songs such as “1915,” which led to world-wide renown and live performances in Times Square, outside The White House, and at The March For Justice in front of thousands of supporters in Los Angeles.

Felipe Paccagnella is a musician, composer, producer, arranger who is blessed to do what he loves every day.

The Business of Video Production - Johnathan Williams

This course is to teach Filmmakers the business skills and systems they can use to start and run a profitable video production business.

Founder of DUBBEMPIRE, Filmmaker and PG native Johnathan Williams is graduate of Morgan State University with a degree in Broadcasting and Integrated Media Production.He is passionate about creating visuals with a purpose. His goal is to inspire and motivate others with his art and create opportunities for other creatives to grow. To help his peers he created an accredited internship at Morgan State University catered to creatives who want to learn and make a career out of videography and photography. With over 6 years of experience in the film industry he has worked with brands such as Def Jam, Revolt TV, Morgan State University and many others.

The Blueprint: Entertainment PR, Branding, & Publicity for Music Artists & Musicians

Daria Fennell

As Creatives in the Music industry, PR, Branding, & Publicity are very necessary as a way to stand out positively and successfully in this community. This session will teach Creatives how to build a successful and aesthetically pleasing brand.

Washington, D.C. Born & Prince George's County, Maryland Raised. The Daria Fennell Media Group, Black Woman Owned, the brainchild of Daria Fennell, is an Entertainment Branding, Public Relations, Publicity (Forbes Magazine, BET's "106 & Park", and XM Satellite Radio), Celebrity Editorial Content (Taraji P. Henson (Oscar Nominated Actress, DMV Native, & Black Mental Health Advocate); John Legend (Grammy-Award Winner); and Anthony Hamilton (Grammy-Award Winner), and Special Event Design Company with 27 years of experience.

Building Youth Power through Music

Noel Schroeder & Shad Rose (Girls Rock DC)

Girls Rock! DC works at the intersection of art and activism, providing music programs for young people in DC to learn, grow, and use the power of their communities. In this session, youth and adult speakers highlight best practices in engaging youth in music and creative expression, and facilitate deep discussions among attendees on how to co-create spaces for young people to express themselves, build youth power, and engage in their communities.

Noel Schroeder is an activist, educator, and organizer in Washington, D.C., specializing in the intersection of music and justice. They have more than a decade of leadership experience in nonprofit management and are an expert in online network building and e-learning, gender and youth development programming, and grassroots organizing.

PANEL - Strengthening the Music Education Pipeline

Moderator: Andrew Lee
Amber Pannocchia, Sandi Logan, and Quanice G. Floyd

Andrew M. Lee is the founder and artistic director of DC Strings Workshop, “DC Strings.” Over the past decade, Lee has performed across the United States in some of America’s greatest venues as a pianist, violinist, and conductor including the White House, George Washington’s Masonic Temple, and Carnegie Hall. He has also performed as a violinist with the Colour of Music Festival in Charleston, SC and Ray Chew’s “Night of Inspiration” at Carnegie Hall; where he collaborated with world-class musicians and gospel artists including Donnie McClurkin, Yolanda Adams, Dionne Warwick, and Shirley Caesar. Most recently he performed at The Kennedy Center with artist Michael W. Smith in a 2019 Independence Day-themed concert. Additionally, he has performed on tour with Conductor Keith Lockhart and the Boston Pops Orchestra and the Colour of Music Festival.
After several years performing in DC area orchestras, Lee began DC Strings Workshop in December 2016. The mission of DC Strings is simple, to bring music to all parts of DC and highlight the beautiful diversity that exists in classical music. DC Strings realizes that mission to share and present music to underserved areas of the region through a mix of performance, education and dynamic masterclasses and workshops. Andrew was proud to be recognized in 2018 as a Lumos Fellow, where he received additional mentorship from nationally renowned musicians and arts administrators. The mission of Turn the Spotlight, which sponsors the fellowship is to identify, nurture, and empower leaders – and in turn, to illuminate the path to a more equitable future in the arts.
As an arts administrator, Lee has served as Personnel and Operations Manager for the Colour of Music Festival. In this role he was responsible for hiring more than +80 orchestral musicians and leading all aspects of logistics and planning for a series of concerts, performances and events. Lee also has served as music coordinator for the Gateways Music Festival in Rochester, NY. Since 2018, Andrew has served as an Orchestral Liaison to the Sphinx Symphony Orchestra, an ensemble of leading African-American and Latino musicians from around the world for the famed Sphinx Competition.

Engaged in the community, Andrew is a Trustee and serves as Vice-President of the Frederick Douglass Memorial & Historical Association which hosts several scholarships and programs to celebrate the legacy of the great abolitionist and statesman Frederick Douglass. He is proud to serve on the Junior Board of Washington Performing Arts, one of the most established and honored performing arts institutions in America. Ever passionate about education, Andrew has mentored, tutored and taught music, chess through Chess Challenge in DC and a host of other programs within DC Public & Charter Schools and community centers.
In addition to Andrew’s passion and work in music he also has experience in politics and media. His work for clients has appeared on the covers of The Washington Post, New York Times, ABC News and countless national and local news outlets. For several years, Andrew provided political commentary on TV One’s NewsOne Now and other local news programs. His work in politics spans positions on Capitol Hill for several Members of Congress and political campaigns and corporate communications work.

Quanice G. Floyd is a renaissance woman who wears many capes. Born and raised in NYC, she has spent over a decade in Washington, DC where she received her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Music Education from Howard University and Kent State University respectively. Her passion for arts administration led her to pursue her second Master’s degree in Arts Management at American University and is currently a doctoral student at Drexel University. Quanice is coming to AEMS after previously serving as the Director of Learning and Leadership Development at the National Guild for Community Arts Education. She is also the Founder & Director of the Arts Administrators of Color (AAC) Network, an organization committed to empowering artists and arts administrators by advocating for access, diversity, inclusion, and equity in the arts in the DC and Baltimore metropolitan areas. She has also been a public-school music educator where she taught elementary and middle school general music, chorus, band, and orchestra. Quanice serves as a commissioner for the DC Commission for the Arts and Humanities, a member of the National Teaching Artist Advisory Committee, and is an alumna of Fractured Atlas’ Artist Campaign School, the National Guild for Community Arts Education’s Leadership Institute (CAELI), ArtEquity’s Racial Facilitator Cohort, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra’s Music Educators and Arts Administrators Academy, 4.0 Schools’ Essentials Program, and the Arts Education Collaborative’s Leadership Academy. In 2018, Quanice received the Americans for the Arts’ American Express Emerging Leader Award.

Since 2017, Sandi M. Logan has served as the Principal of the Duke Ellington School of the Arts (DESA) and, since 2021, as its Head of School. She served previously as the Director of Academic Operations and later as an Assistant Principal. Ms. Logan oversees DESA’s academic and arts curriculums, student support services, operations, finances, development, human resources, and special events. She serves as an ex officio board member on the Duke Ellington School of the Arts Project and the Ellington Fund boards and is an active member of the Local School Advisory Team (LSAT) and SHADE, DESA’s parent organization. 
Prior to joining DESA, Ms. Logan proudly served as a Special Education Chair within the Montgomery County Public School System (MCPS) in Maryland.  In this capacity, she served on the front lines of identifying students with special needs such as learning disabilities, autism spectrum, and emotional disturbances.  With a passion for supporting the educational and emotional development of our young people, she led a team of education professionals in teaching children with emotional disturbances at the Positive Education Program in Cleveland, Ohio. In this role, she implemented such forward thinking programs as art therapy as an effective support mechanism for enabling troubled youth to express themselves in a positive and constructive manner.
As a native of Cleveland, OH, she attended The Ohio State University and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts with a concentration on U.S. and Pan-African History.  She earned a Master’s of Education (M.Ed) from Cleveland State University, and holds an Education Administrator Certification from George Washington University.

Amber Pannocchia, Deputy Director, is a non-profit music and youth development professional that has worked with The MusicianShip since 2018, first serving the organization as the Director of Youth Programs followed by a 9-month tenure as Acting Executive Director. As an experienced educator, administrator and performing artist, Amber is driven by her passion to provide youth, artists and community members with opportunities to use music to transform their lives. In her time at The MusicianShip, Amber has helped increase youth enrollment in afterschool programs by 500%, supported the organization in the acquisition of The Wammie Awards and DC Funk Parade, and led the organization through is first executive transition. Amber’s music advocacy also encompasses artist recognition and welfare through her service as Board Secretary of Cancer Can Rock.

PANEL - Foundations for Building Music Communities and Content

Alex Beraud, Jason Santos and Jonae Helem

This session is about building community and content during and post pandemic. Specifically, the panelist will discuss the building of the show 1 Mic Sound Clash with a discussion about digital marketing and monetization strategies.

Alex Beraud p/k/a DJ A-Boogey is hip hop and Co-Founder of the DC born music competition “The One Mic Sound Clash”. In less than 2 years this competition has gone from an idea to a featured program at the National Cannabis Festival. Alex also provides business and legal consulting services for independent artists and entrepreneurs. As an east coast raised DJ, percussionist and music fan - Alex has always stayed in the artist community as an advocate for the artist.

Jason Santos is an Emcee, Podcaster, and Program Director. Nicknames earned: The Best Rhymer on Bike, Master Chemist, Best Freestyler in DC. His credits Include: The Lab Cyphers, The One Mic Sound Clash (Co-Founder), the NCF Cypher Sessions.

Jonaé Charlene Helem is an American actress, artist, and model. She became the first Ms. Ethiopia World International to be crowned and Queen of the Crowned's Model of the Year, currently reigning in 2022. Sprinting toward her purpose, Jonaé Charlene made her mark as a model, leader, songwriter, and actress. She has bounced back from challenge and controversy to leadership and limitless possibilities in pursuit of a successful music and acting career. Her debut album, “Kingdom,” is set to release in February 2023. Jonaé provides digital marketing and monetization strategies amongst a full suite of consulting services for entrepreneurs.

PANEL: Hip Hops Futures - Technology Edition

Moderator: Mazi Mutafa
Natalie Crue, Kosi Dunn, Chantaneice Kitt, Kerim Joseph, Flex Matthews

This panel will discuss technology, crypto, and the metaverse for musicians, with panelists from around the country sharing their experience and expertise about how to participate and prepare for the ways in which tech will be an even larger part of the work of working musicians. 

Natalie J. Crüe is a cultural producer, Web3 Evangelist, and researcher. Based in California, Natalie built several foundational communities in Web3/NFTs and is the Lead Curator at mClub, a grant-giving decentralized organization. In 2014, Natalie co-founded #CultureFix, a global collaborative network of artists, influencers, and cultural producers who use arts and culture to create social change globally. 

Currently, she co-produces the Metaverse Music Festival, advises London's first NFT Gallery, ArtSect; serves on the Entrepreneurship Working Group at the National Public Housing Museum, and has served on grant panels for the California Arts Council. Lastly, Natalie has spent the great part of the pandemic co-producing the Global Empowerment & Cultural Summit - virtual series of multi-lingual, cross-border conversations spotlighting Hip Hop practitioners from across the globe.

Father Venus aka KITT (they/he) is an emerging hip-hop artist who centers pleasure, justice, and magic in their work. As as Black, trans, and non-binary Harlem born-and-raised artist and educator, they’re profoundly inspired by the possibilities that exist in hip-hop to transmute experiences of trauma that come with surviving in a white supremacist, hetero-patriarcal society and look to create music and art that moves the culture toward more unbounded expressions of freedom. Father Venus is also co-founder and designer at Saturn Says, a Spiritual Streetwear brand for eco-spiritualist based in Detroit. 

Kosi Dunn is a writer, worldbuilder, and futurist from Mitchellville, Maryland. He is currently based in the Bronx in New York City where he pursues an M.S. in Media Management at The New School. In addition to his studies, Kosi serves as a graduate assistant for The New School's Impact Entrepreneurship Initiative and Lore Master at Sup Inc, a new media start-up from the creators of Vine and Blitmaps, which experiments with blockchains and other emerging technologies to create community-crafted worlds. 

Kerim Joseph’s innovative style, influenced by his time as a percussionist, has allowed him to move crowds in several countries while showing off his unique skill set (which now includes an electronic drum and vertical pianos he has configured for use with his DJ equipment). Kerim's unique approach to the space has solidified him as the first DJ on a United States postal stamp as a part of the Hip Hop Forever stamp series, currently on display at the US Postal Museum. Known for his unpredictable selection, and his ability to create original compositions live in front of the audience, he has been spotted at a wide array of venues domestic and international alike. With experiences ranging from audiences of 4000 in Texas and NYC, to intimate venues of 400 in South Africa and Ireland, Kerim's sound continues to grow as it develops in real-time on stages all over the world.

Flex Mathews has been a rising star in the Mid Atlantic regional Hip Hop scene for much of the last 7 years. He was named one of URB Magazine’s Next 100 Artists in 2005 and recently featured in the Washington Post “As an artist who ”. His transition from the local DC underground to global recognition has been the product of his dedication, quality live show performance, as well as his numerous victories in MC battles. On top of that Mr. Mathews has been voted best rap artist of 2009 and 2011 in Washington DC. I'm telling you, this South Dakota boy has drive, and then some. That’s right South Dakota! “The best way to describe me is to say is that I rap and take care of my grandmother” says Flex Mathews whose real name is Dathan Lewis Harbor.

Flex Mathews has toured and performed with: Lupe Fiasco, Matisyahu, Pitbull, Methodman and Redman, Dipset, Flowetry, E.P.M.D, Ludacis, Slick Rick, Army of Me, Atmosphere, KRS-One several times, Big Daddy Kane, GANG STARR, Camp Lo, Biz Markie, Das EFX, The Wu-Tang Clan, Special Ed, Non-Phixion, The Beatnuts, RA The Ruggid Man, J-Live, 3-6 Mafia, Asharu and Blue Black, Kev Brown, Oddisee, Master Ace, MC Chris People Under The Stairs, The Clipse, Roc Radia (R.I.P), Glue, Hangar 18, Pete Rock, Talib Kweli (twice), Percee P, Mad Skillz, Slick Rick, Killah Priest, The Roots, The Lords of Brooklyn, Yazarah, BreezEvaflowin, Poison Pen, Immortal Technique, Bahmadia, Copy Write,  Eternia, Icon The Mic King, C-Rays Wallz, Mr.Lif Cannibal Ox, and even Vanilla Ice. A familiar face in the local scene – Flex has come to represent a new generation of the DC Underground. 

Flex Mathews Debut LP Hi, I’m Flex Mathews premiered last year in September with the single and music video for Never Change. Seven months later he’s back at it again with longtime friend Damu The FudgeMunk with their full album debut Dreams & Vibrations. The album has already been listed as one of the “Best Hip-Hop albums for the Month of May” by Band Camp. The album is available on all digital outlets plus the label has released it the project as a double LP on vinyl for all the record collectors. So what’s next for Flex Mathews…Stay tuned for music from his new band Congo Sanchez and his mixtape titled Harbor Lights.  

PANEL: DCMS & DC Oral History Collaborative Project

Moderator: Cyd Tran

Andre St. Clair, DJ Boss Player, Elise Perry, UptownXO

This Panel is an extension of the DCMS/DC Oral History Collaborative Project, “You Gotta Leave DC to Get Love,” Why the DC Music Industry Needs Sustainable Infrastructure. It’s commonly thought that artists need to leave DC in order to grow creative businesses. DCMS's project addresses this notion, and challenges it by showing the wonderful work being done to help artists succeed here. This panel continues that discussion with established artist who want to ensure that as the city develops, industry infrastructure reflects the diversity of its people and art—that no one gets pushed out or left behind.

DJ, Producer, Health Coach and Pax Musicana Co-Founder, Cyd Tran and also known as DJ CYD. She is passionate about the art of music and giving back. DJ CYD has spun for celebrities and people from all walks of life, headlined at prestigious clubs and performed at fashion, music and charity events. She is one of the most versatile DJs with her vast knowledge of music showcasing her energetic open-format style, which has been well received with clients that have endorsed her. When she is not moving the dance floor crowd, she is coaching clients around their health & wellness, running Pax City (a content creator community intertwined with social tokens that allows creators to hold governance with social tokens as well as creator community benefits) and is running a household with an infant and toddler. She also collaborates with local organizations in helping mentor young children and teens. DJ CYD says “I find true happiness in making others smile and helping them find their inner strength. I know that my purpose is to help people create their destiny.” Hence, CYD is the acronym for Create Your Destiny.

DJ Boss Player embarked on his first show at WMUC at the University of Maryland called “Boss Hog Radio” and people labeled him a natural. He had a vision to take things to the next level. He brought on a crew and created a show at WMUC called the “Hip-Hop Corner”. Through the “Hip-Hop Corner” DJ Boss Player has been fortunate enough to interview celebrities such as Ice Cube, the late Dr. Maya Angelou and many more. Recently, DJ Boss Player formed a new show at WMUC called PCR, Pop Culture Revolution. This new show has a broader focus. And, he brought on a whole new team for it. On the DJ side, he is a DJ based in the Washington, DC area. He does clubs, lounges, concerts, weddings, sweet 16’s or any other private, corporate or school events. He also enjoyed the opportunities that came from being the DJ partner of DJ Money of 93.9 WKYS. The highlights of his DJing career thus far were DJing at a meet and greet for Rihanna and DJing a party with LeBron James as the special guest at Sax lounge. He currently DJ’s with hip-hop/EDM artist Born I Music and they look forward to a bright future together. As an MC, highlights include hosting and DJing the “Thanks Obama” show, which went viral and sold out the Mead Center for Performing Arts in Washington, DC. He also enjoyed hosting the Bring the Noise concert for the One Love Massive collective at Howard Theatre, which featured Raheem Devaughn and Wes Felton aka Crossrhodes as headliners.

For radio, he had an internship with WPGC 95.5 FM. And, he graduated from the Broadcasting Institute of Maryland. When Dj Boss Player was asked in an interview why he got into DJing, his answer was simple: “Because I love people, I love seeing people have a good time and I love music.” So, as DJ Boss Player would say on the radio, “Stay tuned,” because, as the Notorious B.I.G. said on “Life After Death,” the “Sky Is the Limit.”

Andre St. Clair, also known as ADST Music and ADST Media, is an award-winning music producer, artist and artist media management professional. Driven by teaching from his own experiences in the industry, Andre puts care in providing the best PR with transparency for the artists on the ADST Media roster. As a resident of the greater metropolitan area of Washington, D.C., Andre takes great pride in showcasing the talents of the artists based in the region he calls home. After earning his degree from Bowie State University, Andre used his free time to explore his passion for creating soundscapes that paid homage to the soulful sounds of music’s past while highlighting the talents of local contemporary artists. Intrigued with music from a very young age, he taught himself how to create beats, play the keyboard and DJ.

Andre has been recognized and awarded by the Wammie’s for excellence in music production for Night Train 357's 'The Nightlife'. Earlier this year he released the follow up to his well-received debut ‘Good Lawd 2’ featuring 3 of D.C.s own lyrical juggernauts Killa Cal, Priest da Nomad and Tim Hicks of the Dirty Church. Having written and directed the video treatment as well as produced the song that garnered well over 13k views and international streams, Andre continues to create opportunities that shine the light on artists in the DMV area in the hopes of contributing to furthering the local music scene.

In addition to his musical endeavors, Andre also owns and operates ADST Apparel, a high-quality urban fashion brand offering t-shirts and sweatshirts that put the focus on the wearer. You can find Andre on social media at the following handles - @adst_apparel, @adst.music & @AdstMedia

Elise Perry is a Veteran Music Producer/Arranger, Film/Video Director and Content Creator for broadcast, web, corporate, government, Film, TV, Ad Agency and artistic & musical performance. 

From government programs to nationally broadcasted network news, Presidential Inaugurations and great performances, Elise has worked on a long list of these productions seen locally and worldwide as a Live Performance Director/Technical Director, Camera Operator, broadcast specialist for (NBC, BET, National Geographic, PBS,  TEDxWDC), Video/Film Director (Tracy Hamlin “Talk To Me”, Kindred The Family Soul, “Going To The Go-Go”, “Behind (Zo's) ManMade", LilSoSo's "AudioTrip" ), Co-Producer/Director (“Kindred Presents”) Documentary Editor (“Citizen Consumer", "DogParks & CoffeeShops")  

In parallel, Elise is a  Music Producer/Arranger for music artists, film scores and various production music. Notable work is (Tamara Wellons “Runaway” Kindred The Family Soul “Far Away”, "Rhythm Of Life", "My Time" ) Film Score Producer/Music Supervisor (Harold Jackson’s “Last Night”, Sonya Grier’s “Citizen Consumer", "DogParks & CoffeeShops", BET’s “Hits From The Street”, “Uncut”, Maxie Collier's "Mind Games”). Vocal Producer/Arranger ("Tamara Wellons "Behind The Veil", "Smells Like Teen Spirit"). She is producing music for various artists and projects, developing bold distribution platforms and programming structures for Innovative programming for video and music. 

One of DC’s most innovative and enduring artists, Uptown XO has established himself locally and nationally with inspirational songs that touch on hard issues from family and culture to race and gentrification. Born Jamaal Walton, XO grew up immersed in the culture of the District of Columbia, inheriting a love of hip hop from his parents who were both musicians. Formally launching his career in 2009 with his first mixtapes, he quickly became a staple on the city’s rap scene, hosting his own weekly showcase where he built a community of likeminded talented artists. After signing with former Roc-a-fella Executive Kenny Burns’ label Studio 43, he released the classic Monumental and 1.1.10 projects, with Spin Magazine calling Monumental 2 one of their top 50 mixtapes of the decade. He went on to join Diamond District with whom he toured the world and made high profile festival appearances at SXSW, A3C, and Trillectro. XO continued on his own solo career, highlighted by his 2013 album Colour De Grey, which HipHopDX praised for its “agile rhymes and detailed storytelling.” Following that up with a series of collaborations with Aleem Bilal, he has kept up a steady output of fresh material, maintaining his reputation as one of the most vital rappers in DC.

PANEL: Understanding Media in DC

Presented by Media Prince

Learn the ins and outs of the media industry of today's entertainment world. Gain tips on how to attract media coverage, properly use digital media to garner coverage, the importance of the media and where media stands in today's market, exactly who can be media and in what way, the role we play in DC Music.

The DMV Daily
Abu Sillah is a Journalist & Publicist from Prince George's County, MD. He is the CEO of The DMV Daily and Marketing Manager of The Wig Café, LLC. In May 2018, Abu obtained his B.A. in Sociology from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore and is now attending Bowie State University for his M.A. in Organizational Communications. Outside of the world and media, Abu is also the 7th Grade Social Studies Teacher for Prince George's County Public Schools. As Abu continues to grow and expand his knowledge and business, he also strives to help and uplifts everyone around him.

Jukebox DC
JUKEBOXDC is based in Washington DC and was founded in June of 2010 by college friends Jamoris Vincent and M. Jon Powell. Since their launch they have done interviews with many notable artists, such as Cyhi The Prynce, Noreaga, GLC, Big K.R.I.T., Freeway, Wale, Raekwon, 9th Wonder, Thee Tom Hardy, Amanda Diva, Kingpen Slim, Phil Ade, Black Cobain, Fat Trel, Miguel, Que (formerly of Day 26), Audra The Rapper, Emanny, Teedra Moses, Malice (of the Clipse), Rye Rye, Donell Jones, Al Lindstrom, Kendrick Lamar, Schoolboy Q, Miguel, A$AP Rocky, Jon Connor and Mark Henry. They also partnered with Tony Lewis, Jr. to make a documentary, Son of Life, which received Best Breakthrough Film Award at the 2011 DMV International Film Festival Awards.

MoBoomBox
MOBoombox was founded in 2014 by Abel Girma, Wayne Mclean and James Spears at Old Dominion University. The platform was created with the objective of creating a platform for emerging talents to showcase their craft while promoting and endorsing quality entertainment. Based in the DMV (DC/Maryland/Virginia) area, we hosted several events like our RnArt series where we feature rising talents from the art and music industry. We host events so the viewers cannot only read about new talents but see them perform live to get an overall vibe of what they bring to the culture. Although events are an essential component of our platform's main content focus is media campaigns with talents in the urban entertainment community. Our media campaigns consist of interviews, podcasts, commercials and write ups. MOBoombox not only provides talent with promotion but we also provide branding and advertising services. We pride ourselves on changing the way people view media. It is essential for us to be at the forefront for breaking talent & giving our audience a platform they can trust. By exploring our platform, you will get a little taste of what the entertainment world is and is becoming.

Problem Child
A rising star and influencer with the most electrified energy, hailing from the south side of St.Louis, Missouri. Graduating with a B.A. in Mass Communications from the Lincoln University of Missouri in 2019. The Problem Child wanted to further his education. He moved to Bowie, Maryland, and enrolled in the Bowie State University Organizational Communication master's program. There, he volunteered at the university’s radio station WBSU. Helping undergraduate students achieve their goals in becoming a great personality. Since his time in radio, he was given the opportunity to grace the presence of prominent celebrities like Jamie Foxx, Chance The Rapper, Cathy Hughes, and Chris Tucker. Interviewed major recording artists such as DJ Luke Nasty, Famous Amos, Yo Gotti, Key Glock, G Herbo, Lil Durk, Da Baby, Polo G, Stunna 4 Vegas. As well as the producer of Maydelyne Wood’s morning show “The Morning Goods With Maydelyne Woods” on 1450 WOL..

Keys 2 Tha City
Host and Creator of Keys 2 Tha City, including events and also host of the HOODZNDNEWZ Show powered by Hoodz nd Newz Media & DMV Hoodz and Newz. Lastly, star of EATZ with Elway vlog.

The Posh Standard
In a world where the decedents of African slaves are still fighting for a voice in today's society, there is a demanding need for a platform with an uplifting and informative spirit. The Posh Standard Media Group, LLC; pledges to be the voice and has made a commitment to invoking a change. Using a fashionable approach; TPSMG uses media, events, and multiple platforms to provide a new standard of business and self promotion. Let your presence reflect excellence.

The Washington Informer Bridge
THE BRIDGE is a newspaper and cultural information piece for Black Millennials in Washington, DC. The mission is to bring the youth and creative culture forward so that all are included and represented in DC’s changing landscape. They are a production and research center, where they assess and contribute to contemporary culture. Their findings are published digitally and as a collectible manual for freedom, research, and creativity, printed monthly. Founded in Washington DC in 2016, THE BRIDGE is edited by and art directed by Lafayette Barnes. THE BRIDGE platform is designed and engineered by CAANDORLABS in collaboration with BAKARI IBRAHIM & MOSS BELKASSAM.
THE BRIDGE is headquartered in Southeast DC on MLK Avenue.

The Media Prince
The Media Prince is a 15x Award Winning Journalist and Media Specialist showcasing Art of all FACETS throughout the world. Internationally known for his work in showcasing the dopest, most creative work from all areas of art: from fashion, music, politics, athletics, Disk Jockeys, painters, poets, you name it, if there is an art to it, then The Media Prince will cover it.

With a degree in Journalism, PR & Marketing and a Minor in Music, The Media Prince holds the bar high in showcasing innovative works that go from Celebrity clientele to Up and coming. Credited with endless writing pieces, his work stems from The Washington Post, The Washington Informer, HBCU Buzz, Pride Magazine, Blank Canvas Magazine, WKYS 93.9 FM & The UrbanInformer, while Interviewing some of the biggest Celebrities out; Lonnie Love, Jawn Murray, Coco Jones, Megan Thee Stallion, Common, Regina Hall, Rico Nasty, Taraji P. Henson, 50 Cent, Ne-Yo, Charlamagne tha God and more!

BeMo
Bryant "BeMo" Brown is a producer, curator and creative s*** talker. From producing large festivals like the DC Funk Parade and PBR’s Flower Bomb Festival to curating intimate and sophisticated events like Urbane and retail Popups, BeMo has exhibited a keen understanding of the DC creative industry. Bryant recognizes the patterns of engagement as it pertains to providing high-quality events often featuring emerging talent based in DC. Publicly, you can hear Bryant hosting the “Over the Shoulder” podcast discussing the creative industry or hosting anything from concerts to conventions.

Behind the scenes, Bryant is hard at work creating content from his produced shows so that the moments enjoyed by a live audience can be enjoyed on several platforms including albums, podcasts, and web-series. In addition, Bryant has a knack for using his creativity to create revenue streams for various artists. He recognizes that as the DC creative industry is growing by the minute, DC can not spare another second as the call of other city's creative industry grows louder. In such, Bryant has provided opportunities for DC-based artists to establish themselves as headliners for larger opportunities in DC and nationally.

In DC's creative industry, there are several artists who have grown beyond the hobbyist nature of open mics but who have yet to catch their big break. Bryant has done a phenomenal job of recognizing these talented individuals, providing sophisticated and worthwhile opportunities while protecting the legacy of DC culture. The creative space that Bryant occupies is not glamorous or subsidized by guarantees but BeMo is brave enough to risk his personal success for the betterment of the creative industry. Some call that foolish, I call it right.

2022 SESSIONS

Be part of a team that’s greater than yourself.