Dior Ashley Brown
Founder, Executive Director
Dior is a woman on a mission. Known for her broad range of creative roles, including community builder, humanitarian, activist, entrepreneur, and musician, she is a seasoned, respected member of the DC creative scene and beyond, committed to empowering all people, especially Black women and girls, and leaving a legacy of positive change. Dubbed the “Hip-Hop Polymath” by the Washington Post, Dior knows how to create impact. She is founder of the DC Music Summit, a premier music conference and exchange hub, featuring industry leaders, artists, influencers, and high-profile brand sponsors who join forces to help grow the music industry in the nation’s capital. A proud DC native, raised across the globe, Dior is a Duke Ellington School of the Arts alumna. She holds a bachelor's degree in Theatre Arts from the University of Maryland. At her core, she is about breaking down barriers and sparking a movement, revealing the ways diversity lends greater understanding of what it means to be human. |
Steve Strang
Outreach and Operations For nearly two decades, Steve has immersed himself in every aspect of music management and marketing across the Washington Metropolitan region. Beyond music, Steve has several years of experience in transportation and hospitality and has been a visionary when it comes to connecting colleagues for mutually beneficial business ventures. As a founding member of Verzatyle Entertainment, Steve guided and assisted the careers of a potent cadre of Hip-Hop and R&B musicians from varying social backgrounds. Within that sphere, Steve is adept at assisting clients with media training, music marketing, A&R capabilities, and financial guidance. Beyond those stated duties, Steve has a deep appreciation for music and is an avid supporter of the artists that hail from the Washington, D.C. area. Steve is a native of Rockville, Md. |
Howard Rabach
Audio Production & Community Outreach A 30+ year veteran of the music industry, Howard has spent the last 10 years or so as a full-time session bassist and producer running Machine Room Studio in Arlington, VA. Born and raised in and around New York City, he relocated to the DMV in 1993 and never looked back. With Masters degrees inboth Audio Engineering and Secondary Education, Howard has honed his skills working with both up and coming artists, as well as those well-established. Howard is the bassist, songwriter, and producer for The Grey A, The Lonesome Mile, Ubiquity Machine, and Finster. His mantra is "if you consistently serve the song, you'll never be wrong. Washington, DC percussionist, Ben Tufts offered, “Howard has the depth of knowledge that great producers need, with the ability to listen that most producers wish they had.” |