A culture & community podcast created by Aaron Dante to record the fascinating life stories of his friends, family and people that have stories that need to be told! Come along on this journey with Human Interest Stories
Episodes
Monday Mar 21, 2022
Monday Mar 21, 2022
EP 172: Alysha January Discover Charm City We discuss how Alysha ended up in Baltimore. The name of the blog,mental health, her journey and her love for Baltimore City. We discuss social media and many of the amazing events she is involved in around Baltimore
IG: discovercharmcity
Producer: Acutevisions
Thank you to my sponsors:
Zeke's Coffee www.zekescoffee.com
Maggies Farm www.maggiesfarm.com
FoundStudio Shop www.foundstudioshop.com
Charm Craft City Mafia www.charmcitycraftmafia.com
Siena Leigh https://www.sienaleigh.com
Open Works https://www.openworksbmore.org
Baltimore Fiscal https://www.baltimorefiscal.com
Snug Books http://www.snugbooks.com
Friday Mar 18, 2022
Friday Mar 18, 2022
Aaron sat down with Jennifer Buonantony CEO & Founder of Press Pass LA and PPLA Social & PR. Aaron has known Jennifer since their days at Syracuse University undergrads. Jennifer tells her inspiring story of moving too LA with no job living in a hotel. She eventually found a job working with Television Producer Mark Burnett. Jennifer takes you on a journey of her trials and tribulations that she went through to get her company off the ground and how it's still going strong after 11 years. How she got into the PR field and what things she has learned.
IG: PPLASOCIAL
www.pplasocial.com
IG: PRESSPASSLA
www.presspassla.com
Producer: Ed Curran
Thank you to my sponsors:
Zeke's Coffee www.zekescoffee.com
Maggies Farm www.maggiesfarm.com
FoundStudio Shop www.foundstudioshop.com
Charm Craft City Mafia www.charmcitycraftmafia.com
Siena Leigh https://www.sienaleigh.com
Open Works https://www.openworksbmore.org
Baltimore Fiscal https://www.baltimorefiscal.com
Snug Books http://www.snugbooks.com
Monday Mar 14, 2022
Monday Mar 14, 2022
Aaron sat down Sumayyah, the owner of Codetta Bake Shop. Codetta Bake Shop came on the scene Fall of 2020 during the height of the pandemic. Mya and her business partner Chris decided to quit their jobs and follow their passion. Codetta Bake Shop is known for their amazing cheesecakes and cupcakes. Codetta Bake Shop has been featured on Good Morning America, Baltimore Sun, Wedding Magazines and more. We discuss Mental Health, pops up and more.
IG: codettabakeshop
video by Acutevisions:
Thank you to my sponsors:
Zeke's Coffee www.zekescoffee.com
Maggies Farm www.maggiesfarm.com
FoundStudio Shop www.foundstudioshop.com
Charm Craft City Mafia www.charmcitycraftmafia.com
Siena Leigh https://www.sienaleigh.com
Open Works https://www.openworksbmore.org
Baltimore Fiscal https://www.baltimorefiscal.com
Snug Books http://www.snugbooks.com
Monday Mar 07, 2022
Monday Mar 07, 2022
NoPixAfterDark EP 169: Aaron sat down Detria Courtalis Vice President of Sales, Pandora North America. Listeners will hear Detria's career path to where she is now. You will learn some valuable advice about coming in the ranks. She moved to Maryland after college and never looked back. She talks about exciting things that are happening at Pandora and how much she loves working with people. We also discuss if Pandora is leaving Baltimore City. We discuss how the company had to pivot during the pandemic. Starting Women's History Month with a bang! Thank you Detria for coming on the show!
Detria Courtalis is a seasoned sales leader with over 30 years of experience in business development, retail management, account management and organizational leadership. She is a professional with exceptional strategic vision and a drive for the development of people. Detria currently is a member of the Pandora North American Executive Leadership Team. She has full responsibility for the NAM franchise and wholesale business locations, sales, strategy, operations, and real estate. Detria joined Pandora in 2011 and during her time she has served in various roles including Training Manager, Retail and Franchise Director and Director of Sales for the Eastern US.
Detria holds a BA in Management and Marketing from the University of Mount Union and a CEG, Coaching & Development certification from Coach University. In 2009 Detria was the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Woman of the Year for fundraising. She continues her passion for philanthropy as a current board member for the Ed Block Courage Awards Foundation since 2019.
Her top achievement is raising her daughters Callie and Alexa with her husband Nick of 23 years and of course their dogs Ollie and Louie. While Detria clearly has a full plate she continues her passions of fitness, health, and wellness throughout her journey of life.
video by AcuteVisions
Thank you to my sponsors:
Zeke's Coffee www.zekescoffee.com
Maggies Farm www.maggiesfarm.com
FoundStudio Shop www.foundstudioshop.com
Charm Craft City Mafia www.charmcitycraftmafia.com
Siena Leigh https://www.sienaleigh.com
Open Works https://www.openworksbmore.org
Baltimore Fiscal
https://www.baltimorefiscal.com
Snug Books
Monday Feb 28, 2022
Monday Feb 28, 2022
Aaron sat down with Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott for a follow up interview from 2020. In this interview Aaron asked his listeners to submit questions for Mayor Brandon Scott. We covered topics such as crime, ARTSCAPE, AFRAM, illegal ghost guns, police budget and more. Thank you Mayor Brandon Scott for coming on the show.
Thank you to my sponsors:
Zeke's Coffee www.zekescoffee.com
Maggies Farm www.maggiesfarm.com
FoundStudio Shop www.foundstudioshop.com
Charm Craft City Mafia www.charmcitycraftmafia.com
Siena Leigh https://www.sienaleigh.com
Open Works https://www.openworksbmore.org
Baltimore Fiscal
https://www.baltimorefiscal.com
Monday Feb 21, 2022
Monday Feb 21, 2022
Aaron interviewed author Teri Henderson about her new book titled, "Black Collagists: The Book". We spoke about how she came up with the idea of the book and the process for writing and curating during the pandemic. This was her first book and now she wants to write and curate more books. You get to learn about 50 plus amazing Black artists in the book and see their work. You can buy this book on Amazon, or locally in Baltimore. Representation Matters! Thank YOU for your time Teri.
IG: blackcollagists
website https://www.blackcollagists.com
Teri Henderson is a Baltimore-based independent curator, a staff writer for BmoreArt, and the Founding Director of Black Collagists. Henderson holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Texas Christian University. She formerly held a curatorial internship at Ghost Gallery in Seattle, Washington. Henderson previously served as the Art Law Clinic Director for Maryland Volunteer Lawyers For The Arts and is currently on their Board of Directors. Her written work has been seen in: BmoreArt, All SHE Makes, Artforum, Justsmile Magazine, Kinfolk Travel, and the St. James Encyclopedia of Hip Hop Culture. Teri Henderson was a curator of private acquisitions of Black collage art for the Doug + Laurie Kanyer Art Collection from 2020 - 2021, as part of her work she created the Black Collagists Arts Incubator, which was underwritten by the Doug + Laurie Kanyer Art Collection through November 2021. Black Collagists: The Book is her first book
www.nopixafterdark.com
Thank you to my sponsors:
Zeke's Coffee www.zekescoffee.com
Maggies Farm www.maggiesfarm.com
FoundStudio Shop www.foundstudioshop.com
Charm Craft City Mafia www.charmcitycraftmafia.com
Siena Leigh https://www.sienaleigh.com
Open Works https://www.openworksbmore.org
Baltimore Fiscal
https://www.baltimorefiscal.com
Monday Feb 14, 2022
Monday Feb 14, 2022
EP 166: Aaron sat down with Baltimore Music Artist John Tyler to discuss Mental Health and how it has affected him in various stages of his career and currently now. He performed at Firefly Music Festival with Peach Face and that was an experience that changed his life perspective. We spoke on how he wanted to be architect growing up but found the passion of music through an unlikely avenue. He has a new album out & we talk about the next movement with Love Groove Ent/Festival
John Tyler is a 21-year-old artist, multi- instrumentalist, multi-genre producer, Founder of Love Groove Music Festival, and film scorer for Under Armour, Bloomberg Philanthropies, Visit Baltimore, and Maryland Public Television. He has been featured in Charm TV, Hulu Advertisements, BET Instagram Promotions, Baltimore Magazine, Afro Newspaper, Baltimore Sun, B’more Art, Baltimore’s 92Q, & WTMD. At 16, John released his first mixtape and has since released two more. In 2019, John’s debut album “The Good Side of Things'' dropped, setting a high standard for Baltimore music. This project highlights his abilities to merge multiple genres into one.
At 17, John started the Love Groove Music Festival to bring together young artists from different genres of art to showcase talent and to offer learning and networking opportunities. This year marks his fifth showcase, partnering with Hot Sauce Artists Collective, Baltimore Center Stage, to bring an ultimate music, arts, and education festival.
After two long years since John Tyler’s debut album, “The Good Side of Things”, he is finally back with his new EP and documentary entitled “ Free Spirit”. Free Spirit is a soulful, yet relaxing four-song collection highlighting his musicality and inspired by his desire to take a step back and appreciate life. John made this relaxing EP because he was overwhelmed with the fast forward nature of his life, the good and the bad. He describes this EP as “from sunrise to sunset”. It is his hope that this EP serves as a relaxing tool for those who are facing anxiety and constantly in motion. Join John on his upcoming 2022 winter tour as he performs the full free spirit project!
IG: johntylersounds
www.johntylersounds.com
Thank you to my sponsors:
Zeke's Coffee www.zekescoffee.com
Maggies Farm www.maggiesfarm.com
FoundStudio Shop www.foundstudioshop.com
Charm Craft City Mafia www.charmcitycraftmafia.com
Siena Leigh https://www.sienaleigh.com
Open Works https://www.openworksbmore.org
Baltimore Fiscal
https://www.baltimorefiscal.com
Monday Feb 07, 2022
Monday Feb 07, 2022
Chris Colbert is the CEO and Founder of DCP Entertainment, a media platform for underrepresented voices, including people of color, women, the LGBTQ+ community, and other overlooked communities.
He began his career at SiriusXM helping create Jamie Foxx’s comedy & music channel, The Foxxhole. Having worked with names like Jamie Foxx, Joy-Ann Reid, Zak Levitt, Andrew Jenks, ESSENCE, PEOPLE, Crooked Media, Sports Illustrated, the United Negro College Fund, and The White House, Chris specializes in documentaries, media partnerships and content development.
With a passion for connecting audiences with innovative and inspiring content, Chris founded DCP Entertainment; a place to bring together audio and visual storytelling.
He is also the Executive Producer, Writer & Co-host of the Webby & New York Festival Award winning podcast series, "Say Their Name", a docuseries focusing on the assault and killing of unarmed Black people by police and in ‘Stand Your Ground’ states, highlighting incidents throughout the United States.
https://www.dcpofficial.com/saytheirname
IG: DCPoffficial
IG: Nopixafterdark
Thank you to my sponsors:
Zeke's Coffee www.zekescoffee.com
Maggies Farm www.maggiesfarm.com
FoundStudio Shop www.foundstudioshop.com
Charm Craft City Mafia www.charmcitycraftmafia.com
Siena Leigh https://www.sienaleigh.com
Open Works https://www.openworksbmore.org
Baltimore Fiscal
https://www.baltimorefiscal.com
Thursday Feb 03, 2022
Thursday Feb 03, 2022
On the new episode of NoPixAfterDark Podcast,Aaron Dante spoke to Visit Baltimores 2021 Diversity Apprentices, Tymarra Sherrill and Anthony Richmond, discuss their experiences working with Visit Baltimore. We discussed how "Representation Matters", how and why they applied for the travel and tourism space. We also talked about the overall experience and what would will be their next move going forward.
YouTube: https://youtu.be/6AgjLmlxc9U
Camera and audio: Acutivision
This 600-hour paid apprenticeship program provides substantial and holistic experience working across multiple departments within Visit Baltimore and Guinness Open Gate Brewery as well as exposure to other industry partners such as a hotel, attraction, convention, arena or other sports facility (customized pending apprentice interests and experience). The program actively targets applicants from Baltimore City who identify as BIPOC or with another under-represented or minority group. This program is made possible by Guinness Open Gate Brewery. Thank you for your unwavering support in creating more pathways for underrepresented populations within the travel and tourism space. And thank you to our program partners at Searchwide Global for developing and investing in leaders of tomorrow who represent a diverse set of backgrounds and perspectives. https://baltimore.org/foundation/dive...
IG: nopixafterdark
video: acutevision
Thank you to my sponsors:
Zeke's Coffee www.zekescoffee.com
Maggies Farm www.maggiesfarm.com
FoundStudio Shop www.foundstudioshop.com
Charm Craft City Mafia www.charmcitycraftmafia.com
Siena Leigh https://www.sienaleigh.com
Open Works https://www.openworksbmore.org
Baltimore Fiscal
https://www.baltimorefiscal.com
Monday Jan 31, 2022
Monday Jan 31, 2022
EP 163: Aaron recorded a live show with Photographer E. Brady Robinson at the Hotel Indigo discussing her new Photo Exhibit SK8R GRLS. We discuss her inspiration behind the project, her love for roller skating, how she chose the Women for this and what is the soundtrack to this Exhibition.
IG:@ebradyrobinson
IG: MarylandArtPlace
IG: Acutevisions
SK8R GRLS is a photo series by E. Brady Robinson celebrating the freedom and joy of roller skating. The exhibition is on view at Hotel Indigo Baltimore, located at 24 West Franklin St. from Jan 25th - March 18th. A public reception will take place on March 8th from 5 to 7 pm in celebration of International Women’s Day.
In spring of 2021, Robinson took up skating as a way to stay active and reconnect with friends outdoors during COVID-19. During these skate dates, she photographed friends and eventually, a wider network of Baltimore-based female-identifying skaters. This work combines her love of athleticism, fitness, and fashion photography. These images, made at a moment where it felt like the world was reopening after over a year of closure and isolation during the pandemic, evoke a feeling of release and freedom.
Robinson completed her BFA in photography at MICA and MFA in photography at the Cranbrook Academy of Art. Her background is in documentary photography and portraiture. The nine archival metal prints on display at the Hotel Indigo depict strong women amidst a backdrop of Baltimore monuments and sites. Locations such as Lake Montebello, Patterson Park, the Druid Hill Tennis Courts, and the Ravens parking lot, signal the public landscape of Baltimore for those that know it well, in contrast to photographs made in the artist’s Maryland Art Place studio which utilize strobe and gel lighting to simulate the vibes of the 80’s roller skating rinks reminiscent of Robinson’s childhood.
The skaters photographed include artists, musicians, and female entrepreneurs; women in the creative scene in Baltimore, including Amy Cavanaugh, Caitlin Gill, Jade Davis, Tina Thompson, Brittany Wight, Les Gray, Hayley Furman, Jessica Lauryn, Sophie Kluckhuhn, and Wildège François.
Brady Robinson is a photographer based in Baltimore and a current resident artist at Maryland Art Place. She divides her time between personal art projects and commissioned work. Her documentary Art Desks was published by Daylight Books with an essay by Andy Grundberg and distributed by ARTBOOK D.A.P. Her photographs have been featured in The Washington Post, Channel One Russia TV, The Bund Shanghai, Hyperallergic, BmoreArt, Featureshoot, Slate among others. Robinson leads photography workshops throughout the United States. Select exhibitions include Lishui Photography Festival China, Orlando Museum of Art, Cornell Fine Arts Museum, Katzen Art Center at American University, AIPAD NYC, and Art Miami. Select collections include American University, Orlando Museum of Art and Spanish Cultural Center, Santo Domingo, DR.
Robinson is a University Instructor of Photography at Goucher College in Baltimore, Maryland, and faculty at ICP in New York. She received her BFA in photography from The Maryland Institute, College of Art, and MFA in photography from Cranbrook Art Academy in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. Robinson is represented by Addison/Ripley Fine Art in Washington, DC.
Maryland Art Place (MAP) inspires, supports, and encourages artistic expression through innovative programming, exhibitions, and educational opportunities while recognizing the powerful impact art can have on our community. MAP creates a dynamic environment for artists of our time to engage the public by nurturing and promoting new ideas. MAP has served as a critical resource for contemporary art in the Mid-Atlantic since 1981. mdartplace.org. MAP is supported by the Maryland State Arts Council and The Citizens of Baltimore County.
Thank you to my sponsors:
Zeke's Coffee www.zekescoffee.com
Maggies Farm www.maggiesfarm.com
FoundStudio Shop www.foundstudioshop.com
Charm Craft City Mafia www.charmcitycraftmafia.com
Siena Leigh https://www.sienaleigh.com
Open Works https://www.openworksbmore.org
Baltimore Fiscal
https://www.baltimorefiscal.com
Thursday Jan 27, 2022
Thursday Jan 27, 2022
Sebastian Martorana is a sculptor and illustrator living and working in Baltimore, Maryland.
For over ten years, Sebastian has focused on the art of carving. Much of the material used for his sculptures was salvaged from Baltimore’s historic, though often discarded, architecture.
Sebastian works on private commissions and commercial projects from his Baltimore studio. Clients include the United States Senate in Washington, DC, The National Basilica in Baltimore, and St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City.
www.Sebastianworks.com
IG: @sebastianmartorana
tiktok: sebastianmartorana
Thank you to my sponsors:
Zeke's Coffee www.zekescoffee.com
Maggies Farm www.maggiesfarm.com
FoundStudio Shop www.foundstudioshop.com
Charm Craft City Mafia www.charmcitycraftmafia.com
Siena Leigh https://www.sienaleigh.com
Open Works https://www.openworksbmore.org
Baltimore Fiscal
https://www.baltimorefiscal.com