Charm City Dreamers

In this episode, we interview Tom Osha who is the senior vice president of innovation and economic development of the Wexford Science & Technology Institute. We explore what is an innovation district and how the work they are doing at University Of Maryland Bio-Park and other projects can be scaled nationally to expedite the future of industry and innovation.

Baltimore Tracks is a coalition of Baltimore-based technology & tech-enabled company leaders that are committed to increasing opportunities for People of Color in technology. Learn more about this initiative through our interview with Baltimore Tracks co-founders Nick Culbertson (CEO of Protenus) and Sherrod Davis (Chief of Staff of Protenus) 

Eddie is the Co-CEO of the World Trade Center Institute (WTCI). WTCI's mission is to empower globally-minded leaders with new ideas and valuable connections. They believe that sharing knowledge and experiences makes a positive impact on Maryland and across the globe. Today more than 2,500 Maryland firms benefit from WTCI’s global connections, events, programs and services. Their members range from local startups to many of the region’s top corporations, universities, and government agencies.

Ron is President at Gula Tech Adventures which focuses on cyber technology, cyber policy and recruiting more people to the cyber workforce. Since 2017, GTA has invested in dozens of cyber start-ups and funds and supported multiple cyber nonprofits and projects. Ron was the co-founder and CEO of Tenable Network Security. He helped grow the company to 20,000 customers, raise $300m in venture capital and grow revenues to $100m, setting up the company for an IPO in 2018. Please enjoy this episode focused on the future of inudstry!

Christy Wyskiel is the Senior Advisor to the President of Johns Hopkins University for Innovation & Entrepreneurship. In this role, she also serves as the Executive Director of Johns Hopkins Technology Ventures, the division of the university responsible for technology transfer, industry research partnerships, and company incubation under the brand ‘FastForward.’  Since her appointment in 2013, Christy has transformed the culture of commercialization at Johns Hopkins, opening 43,000 square feet of FastForward innovation space to support startup companies, facilitating the creation of 90+ companies, and generating $333 million in university revenue from licensing and industry collaborations. Johns Hopkins University startups have raised over $2.7 billion in venture capital during her tenure. Christy is a fierce advocate for the future of Baltimore and the role that Johns Hopkins University can play in populating the city skyline with companies borne, built and grown locally.

In this episode we explore the future of industry in Baltimore and how it has the potential to be the first "EquiTech" city. Jamie McDonald is CEO of UpSurge. She is an experienced entrepreneur, movement builder, and speaker. Prior to joining UpSurge, she was an advisor to global entrepreneurs, social innovators, and impact-focused executives. She’s been deeply involved in work on behalf of Baltimore throughout her career.

TT the Artist is the director of the documentary "Dark City Beneath The Beat". In this episode we explore Baltimore Club Music and mental health. "Dark City Beneath The Beat" is a musical, documentary reimagining the narrative of Baltimore City through its home grown sound and dance known as Baltimore club music.

The Baltimore Station turns lives around. They are an innovative therapeutic residential and outpatient treatment program supporting veterans who are overcoming obstacles to regain self-sufficiency. In this episode we explore art as a means of therapy for Veterans struggling with mental health, homelessness, and addiction.

Liz has been a choreographer and a teaching artist in the inner city for around 20 years; she also grew up in poverty which colors the lens through which she creates. Experiencing growing up mixed race in the inner-city regularly inspires her creations; past and present. She is an inter-disciplinary artist focused on the themes of blackness in America, cultural traditions surrounding african american hair and afro-futurism. Liz also provides mural art tours through Baltimore City.

Jeffrey Kent combines dramatic gestures, vivid colors, multiple layers, impasto, and reverse text in his paintings. His struggle with dyslexia (without access to diagnosis and care) is a recurring theme expressed in reverse text. His bricolage artworks consider the history of inequity by manipulating objects of daily life. In his critique of accessibility of the Art World, Kent’s street performances, community investment projects, and multimedia public presentations bring fine art to people who wouldn’t have opportunities to experience it. In addition to his art practices, Kent founded the folded alternative art space in Baltimore, Subbasement Artist Studios (2004-2014); Co-Owner of Unexpected Art Space (2013-2016); Co-founder of Connect+Collect and Director of Promotion and Outreach at BmoreArt (2018-), Artistic Director at The Peale Museum(2019-): designed to create awareness and momentum among art collectors, and promotes a culture of collecting in Baltimore. His artworks are in the collections of Robert

We are so proud to release this episode to recap the last 100 episodes. Thank you so much to our listeners and supporters for helping make this happen. We hope you enjoy the review and it inspires you to make a difference in your community! If you are moved by this episode feel free to check out our past dreamers!

In this episode we explore the cross section of art and mental health. Our conversation highlights two nationally renown Baltimore artists: Landis Expandis & Michael Owen. Landis is a man of multi-faceted talent: he is a painter, musician, and DJ. Best known as the lead singer and drummer for the All Mighty Senators, a Baltimore funk rock band that has toured the country and released more than fifteen albums. Michael is acontemporary American painter. Since 2003, he has created hundreds of large-scale works, exploring social, emotional and spiritual issues.

All Walks of Life is a premier urban center for whole healthcare specializing in behavioral health. AWL provides the highest level of comprehensive care to those in need throughout Maryland’s schools and communities. Ms. Pendleton began her tenure at AWL fourteen years ago as a consultant and she quickly realized her ideals aligned with the mission and vision of AWL and joined the Executive Team a year later. Shaney is a qualified behavioral health professional and continues to maintain her credentials as a Child and Family Resiliency Practitioner (CFRP) from the Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association and Foundation.

Adrienne Breidenstine is Vice President of Policy and Communications. She directs the development of communications and policy and advocacy activities for Behavioral Health System Baltimore, coordinates BHSB’s policy priorities with non-profit and governmental partners, implements media, public education and advocacy campaigns to create positive behavior and policy change, and oversees the implementation of the Greater Baltimore Regional Integrated Crisis System (GBRICS) Partnership.

Dr. Howard Dubowitz is a clinician, researcher, and educator, and he is active in the policy arena. His main interests are in child neglect and prevention. Dr. Dubowitz led the development of the Safe Environment for Every Kid (SEEK) model, building upon the opportunities in pediatric primary care to help prevent abuse and neglect.He is a Past-President of the Ray Helfer Society, an honorary international group of physicians working in the child maltreatment field.  He has served on the Executive Council of the International Society for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect and the national boards of the American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children and of Prevent Child Abuse America.

Zach Snitzer is the Corporate Director of Marketing at Maryland Addiction Recovery Center (MARC) and is responsible for the business development, marketing, branding, public relations, communications, and social media strategies of the organization.Due to his own personal journey of recovery, Zach had a vision of bringing world class long-term treatment to his home state that viewed addiction as a chronic illness and offered a continuum that truly aided in healing patients and families with a path of sustainable recovery.

Kerry Graves serves as the Executive Director of NAMI Metropolitan Baltimore. In her role, she provides leadership for NAMI Metropolitan Baltimore’s mission of improving the lives of individuals and families affected by mental illness. NAMI Metro Baltimore is one of the largest and most active local affiliates of NAMI, the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization. Tevis Simon is a Baltimore Maryland native and loving mother of one adult daughter and grandson. She received her call to mental health advocacy in 2015 as she battled with the acceptance of her mental health diagnosis. Deciding to become educated rather than afraid of her mental illness, she became a public speaker, mental health mentor, peer recovery specialist and support group facilitator.  Tevis is dedicated to her ministry, Walk By Faith Consulting, which supports mental wellness, assisting with recovery in mental health and substance abuse, and overcoming barriers to employment in addition to providing mental health presentation

Torrey Smith, former NFL Raven wide receiver and 2x Superbowl Champion, is the founder Level 82. In this episode we explore the importance of mental health and how Level82 is helping leverage the power of community collaboration to enable all Baltimore families to reach their full potential .

Dr. Letitia Dzirasa joined Baltimore City government as the Commissioner of Health in March 2019. Dr. Dzirasa, a Hopkins trained pediatrician, believes that equitable care is basic right for all and will tirelessly advocate for programs that support the overall health and wellbeing of all Baltimore city residents.  Dr. Dzirasa’s special interests include obesity management and prevention, trauma informed care in children and adolescents, and expanded use of technology to improve health outcomes.