Charm City Dreamers

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 for social & private sector entrepreneurship and where local leaders work hand-in-hand with a global network of Baltimoreans to advance a more prosperous and just city.  Furthermore Matthew has served on various boards including the Board of Regents of Morgan State University and The Morgan State University Foundation. Matthew has become one of Baltimore’s rising young adults in the areas of philanthropy, business, and community service, recently named to HBCU Buzz’s Top 30 under 30 and by the Baltimore Business Journal as a Person on the Move. 

In this episode we interview Brooke Lierman, the first female Comptroller of the State of Maryland. Brooke explains the role of the comptroller and the catalytic investments that give her optimism for the future of Maryland and the City of Baltimore. As Brooke states, "Maryland will never be a truly great state until Baltimore reaches its full potential." We hope you enjoy!

In this episode we interview Corey Voelkel the founder of Aveley Farms Coffee Roasters. We discuss food and coffee culture in Baltimore. Corey shares his vision for expansion and the story of building Aveley Farms after his experience in tech in San Diego. We hope you enjoy!

In this episode we interview Yair Flicker the President and Founder of SmartLogic, Baltimore-based consultancy that has been building custom web and mobile software applications since 2005. We explore the journey of starting and running a small business, and examine how to build a niche community. Yair discusses the future of technology and the advantages to launching a business in the Baltimore community. We hope you enjoy!

Meet the new CEO of the Associated Black Charities (ABC), Chrissy Thornton. Learn about ABC's mission to work as an educator, advocate and supporter to eliminate the race-based barriers that have been created by structural racism. In this episode, we explore Chrissy story as a non-profit leader and how she hopes to expand the scope and impact of the work of the Associated Black Charities through collaborations with other communities. We hope you enjoy!

Mark Anthony Thomas will serve as the GBC’s first CEO since the organization’s spring merger with the Economic Alliance of Greater Baltimore (EAGB). The merger linked two major regional organizations to better align efforts around a singular vision and to position the Greater Baltimore region to address critical challenges facing the communities the organization serves. In this episode we explore economic development, Mark's history serving civic institutions, and the opportunities of public/private partnerships. Enjoy!

Dr. Al-Adhami, CEO, envisioned and developed the technology behind the Jiddu, and founded Astek after winning multiple entrepreneurship awards, while completing his PhD in Mechanical Engineering. The company is currently located in University Of Maryland's biopark. We discuss his story from immigrant to entrepreneur and highlight the growing biotechnology sector in Baltimore.

Learn about the Maryland General Assembly with newly elected delegate Mark Edelson. In this episode, we explore his story as an immigrant from South Africa to now serving in the Maryland House of Delegates. Mark shares his legislative agenda and hopes for the state and our city. We discuss why he is optimistic and how he fell in love with Baltimore "a city of hidden gems".

In this episode, we have the honor and privelage of interviewing Annie Milli the Executive Director of Live Baltimore. Live Baltimore works citywide to grow Baltimore’s economy by attracting residents, retaining residents, and supporting healthy housing markets. Each year, Live Baltimore provides thousands of individuals with information on the city’s 250+ neighborhoods, rental living options, homebuying incentive programs, historic tax credits, and more.

In this episode we highlight Adam Lindquist, VP of Programs, and Chelsea Anspach communications manager with waterfront partnership. We discuss their mission and vision of maintaining and enhancing a clean, green, safe, sustainable, and thriving urban waterfront for all to enjoy. We discuss topics ranging from Mr. Trashwheel to the Healthy Harbor Initiative. We hope you enjoy!

 In this episode, we interview Sridevi Sarma, associate professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering and vice dean for graduate education at the Whiting School of Engineering, develops computational, data-driven, and biological approaches to advance the knowledge and treatment of diseases of the nervous system including epilepsy, chronic pain, Parkinson’s disease, and insomnia. She is also the executive director of NeuroTech Harbor which is an accelerator focused on advancing the development of solutions that improve neurological health through the lens of Equitech values of inclusivity. Enjoy!

JC Faulk is the founder of Bmore Community Food. Bmore Community Food feeds vulnerable people across Baltimore City, by rescuing good food that would ordinarily be thrown away, and then supplementing it with fresh meat and non-perishable goods. This work brings our most vulnerable city residents into the light. They have been isolated and marginalized for far too long. It is the aim of Bmore Community Food to end the suffering caused by food insecurity.

 In this episode, we interview Yong Taing, the information technologist of the Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI) which created the James Webb & Hubble Space Telescopes. The James Webb Telescope is the largest telescope in space and its initial photos have already identified thousands of never-before-seen stars. We hope this intergalactic dreamer inspires you to think bigger. Enjoy!

 In this episode, we interview Dr Jessica Lee. Dr. Lee is an OBGYN at University of Maryland and she is the Director of Family Planning. Dr. Lee believes all women deserve access to and support for comprehensive reproductive health care. Given the recent Supreme Court case overturning Roe V Wade, we wanted to share an episode on the real life implications of the decision and how Maryland is leading the charge on women's comprehensive healthcare.

In this episode we interview Brian Plante, the culinary director of the Alfred Group. Brian was previously the chef at Rye Street Tavern and we discuss all things food in Baltimore. We hope this episode inspires you to explore the amazing Baltimore restaurant scene. Enjoy!

Rebecca Alban Hoffberger is the founder, director and principal curator of the American Visionary Art Museum (AVAM). As a life-long devotee of the power of intuition and fresh thought, Rebecca is constantly challenging the status quo. In this episode we explore how Rebecca founded the museum, delve into her view on the art world, and share her vision for the future.    

The Black Olive Restaurant sits in quaint elegance on the cobblestone section of Bond Street in old Fells Point. The restaurant is owned by the Spiliadis family, whose passion for food as art is grounded in a basic aesthetic principle: cook your food with an eye towards simplicity and tradition, and use only the finest ingredients, no matter what it takes to find them. The restaurant & family have created a baltimore institution where the environment ensures that the depth of conversation & activism matches the richness of flavor their food elicits.  

 When you combine honest, locally-sourced food with staff that is treated like family, you create an environment and experience known as Hersh's. Learn about the thoughtfulness behind the food, service, and welcoming environment of my favorite high-end pizza restaurant. Enjoy this continuation of our series focused on local food entrepreneurs: "What's Cookin Good Lookin!" Enjoy!

Cafe Dear Leon is using food to write a love letter to our community. Learn about the thoughtfulness behind the food, service, and welcoming environment of this new top bakery in town. Enjoy this continuation of our series focused on local food entrepreneurs: "What's Cookin Good Lookin!"  

Learn about how this home baker founded one of Baltimore's most popular and fastest growing bakeries in Baltimore. Bagels, chirp cookies, snickerdoodles, turkey havarti sandwiches and more! Enjoy this continuation of our series focused on local food entrepreneurs.