Charm City Dreamers

Emma Snyder is the owner and operator of The Ivy Bookshop, Baltimore's premier independent bookstore and community literary hub. A Baltimore native, Emma spent years shaping the national literary landscape as the Executive Director of the PEN/Faulkner Foundation in Washington, D.C. After earning her MFA in Fiction from the University of Wisconsin, she returned home to take the helm of The Ivy Book...

Kerry Watson is the executive vice president of public affairs for the Baltimore Orioles, overseeing government affairs and community engagement for the organization. He provides vision and direction for a team that inspires the fanbase, identifies strategic partners, provides impactful community leadership and engagement, and brings positive attention to the organization. Prior to joining the Ori...

In this episode we interview Don Rovak, The Chief Revenue Officer of the Orioles. Rovak joins the Orioles after just completing his 17th year with AMB Sports and Entertainment, a company comprised of the National Football League's Atlanta Falcons, Major League Soccer's Atlanta United FC, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta Drive GC, and PGA TOUR Superstore. We discuss the vision and future of the Oriol...

In this episode we interview Mark Fine, The Chief Marketing Officer of the Orioles. Mark spent his career building and expanding brands for some of the world's most iconic sports and entertainment properties, from the Professional Bull Riding League, National Lacrosse League, Brooklyn Nets, NY Mets and more. We discuss the vision and future of the Orioles' franchise, expanding fandom, and continue...

Mica is the director of Volunteer Recruitment and Partnerships at Thread. Thread harnesses the power of relationships to create a new social fabric of diverse individuals deeply engaged with young people facing the most significant opportunity and achievement gaps. Their community is committed to ending social isolation and building a more equitable culture in which everyone thrives. Thread makes...

After nearly two decades as the founder and CEO of Clapp Communications, an award-winning communications firm,  Barb  made the bold decision in 2019 to sell the company and dedicate herself to a deeper mission: creating career opportunities for those who need them most. Having grown up under difficult circumstances herself,  Barb understands firsthand the power of access and support in changing li...

In this episode we interview Jaz Erenberg. Jaz is a muralist who creates community centric public artwork. Over the last 6 years, her practice has grown through collaboration with communities to build creative ways to make them feel seen and heard throughout the process. Using workshops and events, communities have become an integral part of how she creates public artwork. When a community is invo...

David is the executive director of the Pikesville Armory. This public, private, and community 17-acre project has the opportunity to re-imagine the area. In this episode, we discuss the scope and vision, as well as the community feedback that has gone into the project. We also discuss the project's regional implications and the national implications of the work. We hope you enjoy!

In this episode, we feature Quandra Gray the founder of What The Sprout!  After years in visual design, Quandra was drawn to a new type of creation—one rooted in health and sustainability. With no backyard for gardening, Quandra found the power of growing microgreens at home. Now, she's helping others cultivate microgreens for better health and community impact—all from the comfort of home. Quandr...

Arion Long is the CEO of Femly. She's a visionary who is revolutionizing the FemTech industry. As the Chief Estrogen Officer of Femly, Arion has transformed a subscription box service into an award-winning enterprise with patented technologies. She is the creator of the world's first touchless pad and tampon vending machine, a game-changing innovation that is increasing period care access in restr...

Dionne Joyner-Weems is a global brand builder, a dynamic storyteller, author and a passionate changemaker who has garnered a reputation for her unparalleled energy and ability to turn challenges into solutions and moments into movements across industries.  For more than 16-years, Dionne Joyner-Weems served as the Chief Marketing Officer for the city of Baltimore, and also founded the development o...

In today's episode we interview Bob Manekin regarding Baltimore's real estate evolution over time. Bob is currently the oldest Commercial Real Estate Broker in Baltimore City and he shares major Baltimore real estate projects and milestones going back to world war II. We discuss his journey from the military to family business to commercial brokerage. Bob shares his love of Baltimore and it's grit...

A third-generation Marylander, Senator Ben Cardin has been a national leader on health care, retirement security, the environment and fiscal issues while representing the people of Maryland in the U.S. Senate, and before that in the House of Representatives. Currently serving as Chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, he has worked across party lines to further U.S. national security and...

In this episode we interview John Richardson about his experience in hospitality and the iconic Baltimore restaurant The Corner Pantry. He talks about perfecting your craft while working and networking. In addition to working at The Corner Pantry, John is building a new art collective studio in Hampden, Hall Gallery. He is also expanding and growing his latest artistic show which features a variet...

In this episode we interviewed Richie Frieman. St. Martin's Press and Macmillan Publishing dubbed Richie Frieman a "Modern Day Renaissance Man" due to a career that spans life as an author, illustrator, artist, humorous etiquette expert Modern Manners Guy, entrepreneur, screenwriter, cartoonist, and even a champion professional wrestler. In Richie's latest book "The Optimistics", he enters a world...

In this episode we interview Adam Neuman: the Chief of Staff and Special Advisor to the President at Baltimore Ravens. Adam leverages his experience and education in sports, law, and public administration to support the strategic vision and operations of one of the most successful and respected franchises in the NFL. He joined the Ravens in July 2023, after serving for four years as the Chief of S...

In this episode we interview Irena Stein, the founder of Alma Cocina Latina, a James Beard Semi-Finalist Restaurant.  Alma is not just a restaurant with deeply imaginative, exquisitely crafted food, it is a space that transports you into Venezuelan culture with every detail. In this episode, we explore Irena's journey as an immigrant and entrepreneur. Alma Cocina Latina is more than a restaurant,...

In this episode we interview Kevin Carter, the Director of Business Development at EcoMap. EcoMap is a technology company focused on making information accessible and helping local ecosystems thrive. We also discuss the legacy and vision of recently deceased founder Pava LaPere. We hope you are inspired and motivated to learn more about the ecosystems that support your community. Enjoy!

In this episode we interview the executive director of the Baltimore Jewish Council (BJC), Howard Libit. Given the continued rise in antisemitism and the national conversation around hate speech on college campuses, we thought it was important to learn about solutions addressing these problems in our community locally that can serve as an inspiration nationally. The Baltimore Jewish Council is the...

In this episode we interview Matan Adar and Aviva Schwartz. This episode highlights the partnership between The Associated: Jewish Federation of Baltimore and the city of Ashkelon, Israel.  Matan was a past visitor from Ashkelon who came to Baltimore through the partnership.  He shares his experience on the ground in Israel during the current war. Aviva Schwartz, the director of Israel and Global...

In this episode we interview Elie Klein, the director of development for USA & Canada of ADI Negev-Nahalat Eran. We discuss the current situation in Israel and the work they are doing at their 40 acre rehabiliation village. ADI is the Hebrew word for a radiant and multifaceted jewel, a name that reflects their expansive vision and broad scope of activities, including disability care, rehabilitatio...

In this episode we have a conversation with Fagan Harris, who is now the Chief of Staff for Governor Wes Moore. At the time of this episode, Fagan was the President and CEO of Baltimore Corps, an organization that enlists talented people in public service and social entrepreneurship in Baltimore City. Harris co-founded the organization with Wes Moore in 2013, and continues to set the organization'...

In this episode we have a conversation with Mayor Brandon Scott, who was the city council president and democratic nominee for mayor at the time of our interview. We explore his background, past achievements, and vision for Baltimore. Our discussion focuses on race equity and the future of policing. Lastly we spoke about how the innovative solutions to tackling social injustice in Baltimore can be...

Torrey Smith, former NFL Raven wide receiver and 2x Superbowl Champion, is the founder of 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

In this episode we interview Matthew Reeds who is the new Deputy Director of Baltimore Homecoming. We discuss the city's unique assets and Baltimore Homecoming's mission to connect Baltimoreans from across the world with our city's leaders and innovators to spark new collaborations and drive new investments in Baltimore's future.  We envision a world where Baltimore is recognized as a leading hub...