Charm City Dreamers

For more than 10 years, Jeffrey Zwillenberg has focused his career in education reform to help ensure that all kids have the opportunity to be successful in school and beyond. As the Senior Executive Director of Reading Partners Baltimore, Jeffrey leads a staff and AmeriCorps team of 35+ members, achieving programmatic, community engagement, and fundraising goals to further expand and evolve Readi...

McKeever "Mac" Conwell II is the founder and managing partner of RareBreed Ventures. Mac is a former software engineer and two-time founder. One of Mac's companies failed, the other went on to a succesful exit. In this episode we explore the early stage startup ecosystem in the region and specifically discuss investing in under-represented communities.

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.

Carim V. Khouzami is the chief executive officer of Baltimore Gas and Electric Company (BGE), the nation's first gas utility. Khouzami oversees safety, reliability, customer service, financial performance and BGE's commitment to creating an inclusive culture. He is a member of BGE's Board of Directors and the executive committee of BGE's parent company, Exelon. In this episode we explore the futur...

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...

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 capit...

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, C...

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 Baltim...

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 ameri...

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 performanc...

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 fi...

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...

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 impleme...

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 inte...

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...

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 B...

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 i...

Project HEAL (Health through Early Awareness and Learning) is a University of Maryland Public Health Initiative to focused on cancer related disparities across different communities. They practice evidence-based intervention that uses a Community Health Advisor approach to increase cancer awareness early detection. Maisha is a graduate research assistant for the lab and Shay Sharpe is a community...

Regina  Reed, MPH is an advocate and organizer for health care justice.  Regina  is the Policy Manager at the National Health Care for the Homeless Council where she lobbies for national policy change to increase access to health care for vulnerable people. She is also a Board Member with the Baltimore Abortion Fund (BAF). BAF provides financial assistance to people who live in or travel to Maryla...

Enjoy our latest episode with Marissa Jachman, the Executive Director of the Erin Levitas Foundation. Erin Levitas (Marissa's cousin) died from cancer at age 22. A senior in college, Levitas was about to head to law school when she learned of her terminal diagnosis. The family created the Erin Levitas Foundation to honor her memory and to make sure the work she wanted to see in the world could hap...