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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. |
Althea Forrester
Operations
Althea joined the DCMS Team in 2020. She is a long-time DC resident who loves to volunteer and wants use her skills to help move DC Music Summit forward. Despite claims of being an introvert she thrives leading teams, working with groups, and developing and maintaining strong working relationships with people. She enjoys working within the collaborative DCMS environment and is willing to take on whatever projects are asked of her to benefit the Team.
Operations
Althea joined the DCMS Team in 2020. She is a long-time DC resident who loves to volunteer and wants use her skills to help move DC Music Summit forward. Despite claims of being an introvert she thrives leading teams, working with groups, and developing and maintaining strong working relationships with people. She enjoys working within the collaborative DCMS environment and is willing to take on whatever projects are asked of her to benefit the Team.
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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. |
Malachi Robinson
Media Team Lead
Malachi E. Robinson is a creative professional whose mission is to inspire a revolution through film, music, wellness and creative collaboration. Malachi is a native of Prince Georges County, Maryland and earned a bachelor's degree in Entertainment Management with a concentration in Music Management from Coppin State University. As an undergrad student, Malachi participated in the Grammy U program which sparked his interest in working with music creators. Malachi established his own film production and music consultancy company in 2018.
Over the years, he has worked with numerous musical and corporate clients to amplify their mission and elevate their brand through innovative creative content. A recent music video project received the Best Music Video Award at the 2019 IGAA Awards in Chesapeake, VA and has also received the 2021 Community Leader of the Year Award in his current role as she Director of Creative Suitland Arts Center. In addition to his creative profession, Malachi is a father, husband, registered yoga instructor and Michael Jackson superfan.
Media Team Lead
Malachi E. Robinson is a creative professional whose mission is to inspire a revolution through film, music, wellness and creative collaboration. Malachi is a native of Prince Georges County, Maryland and earned a bachelor's degree in Entertainment Management with a concentration in Music Management from Coppin State University. As an undergrad student, Malachi participated in the Grammy U program which sparked his interest in working with music creators. Malachi established his own film production and music consultancy company in 2018.
Over the years, he has worked with numerous musical and corporate clients to amplify their mission and elevate their brand through innovative creative content. A recent music video project received the Best Music Video Award at the 2019 IGAA Awards in Chesapeake, VA and has also received the 2021 Community Leader of the Year Award in his current role as she Director of Creative Suitland Arts Center. In addition to his creative profession, Malachi is a father, husband, registered yoga instructor and Michael Jackson superfan.
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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.” |