Lenard "Charlamagne Tha God" McKelvey is an entertainment mogul who has earned a reputation as one of the most authentic voices in media. As a Radio Hall of
Fame inductee, best-selling author, in-demand TV personality, and producer, he is a
singular shaper of culture. An innovator and industry leader in audio, he is the co-host of iHeartMedia's The
Breakfast Club morning show, which drives millions of listeners and viewers daily on radio. Charlamagne expanded his collaboration with iHeart to create The Black Effect
Podcast Network, home to multiple chart-topping podcasts and the first podcast network built explicitly for Black listeners. Alongside Kevin Hart, he is also the executive
producer of scripted podcasts like Brokedown Prophets, Finding Tamika, Unleash for Love, and Summer of ‘85, which have won an Audie, Webby, and the prestigious
duPont award. He is also the co-creator and host of the popular podcast The Brilliant Idiots with comedian Andrew Schulz. He recently launched the political podcast network
Reasoned Choice Media alongside Angela Rye and Chris Morrow. The network's debut show is the chart topping Native Land Podcast featuring Rye, Tiffany Cross and Andrew
Gillium. Charlamagne is the author of The New York Times Best Seller Black Privilege: Opportunity Comes to Those Who Create It and the best-selling Shook One: Anxiety
Playing Tricks on Me, and his most recent best-selling book Get Honest or Die Lying. His tremendous success as an author led to a partnership with Simon & Schuster Publishing, now home to his imprint Black Privilege Publishing, which has curated best-selling books such as Invisible Generals, My Black Country, Shallow Waters, and many
upcoming new releases for 2024 and 2025.
Charlamagne is an Emmy-winning producer through his production company, CThaGodWorld. He has hosted several network TV programs, including the Stephen Colbert
executive-produced Hell of a Week on Comedy Central. He is also the host of his YouTube interview series Out Of Context with Charlamagne Tha God. Acting on his passion for mental health awareness, Charlamagne founded the Mental
Wealth Alliance. The foundation works to destigmatize mental health in the Black community by expanding the pool of professionals in the health and wellness space.
Additionally, he is an Ambassador for the Food Bank for New York City.
 

A proud Washington, DC native, made the leap to Connecticut when he was just nine years old.

 Norman find immense inspiration in "debt-free" success stories. In 2019, paying off a staggering $75,000 in consumer debt—a journey that has taught him resilience and determination. His photography journey began in 2012 when a friend invited him to capture the magic of one of his events. With no formal training, he embraced self-teaching, and it has been a fulfilling ride ever since.

 His ultimate dream is to travel the globe, spreading a message of hope and encouragement to anyone who feels like it's "too late" for them. He believe that it's possible to find a perfect balance of happiness and income through work you truly love!

Goldie Harris serves as the Director of Commerce at UnitedMasters, where she is part of the team empowering independent artists. She focuses on building and nurturing relationships with DSP platforms such as Apple Music, Spotify, YouTube, and Amazon, ensuring strategic visibility and impactful placement for artists across all genres, including R&B, Hip-Hop, Latin, Alternative, Pop, and Afrobeats. Goldie oversees key accounts and spearheads creative marketing strategies to enhance digital streaming revenue, making her an instrumental force in redefining artist ownership and self-sufficiency in the modern music industry.

Her leadership has been pivotal in securing campaigns and activations both on and off platforms, including experiential, OOH, editorial, and original content strategies for artists such as Brent Faiyaz, Earthgang, Floyymenor, Anycia, BigXthaPlug and Ekkstacy to name a few. With a career deeply rooted in equitable frameworks for artists, Goldie’s experience, including a stint at Roc Nation's Equity Distribution, has made her a formidable advocate for artist-driven business models. As a Grammy Class of 2024 inductee and a Live Nation Femme It Forward Mentor, she also extends her influence through mentorship, contributing to a more inclusive and sustainable music industry.

 In addition to her work at UnitedMasters, Goldie Harris’s track record boasts collaborations with world-renowned brands such as BBC Ice Cream, Diaego, Adidas, PUMA, Ciroc, JD Sports, Spotify, Tidal, Rolling Loud, TED, and Wilson Sporting Goods. Notable appearances include spinning at prestigious events like The One Show, Art Basel, New York Fashion Week and the Tribeca Film Festival. Recently, Goldie's talents were showcased on leading music platforms like On The Radar Radio, The Lot Radio, The Estelle Show on Apple Music and Foundation FM.

Addys M. Castillo is a proud alumna of New Haven Public Schools and the Connecticut State University system, holding graduate degrees in criminal justice, forensic psychology, and public administration. Currently a law student at UConn School of Law, Addys combines her legal studies with her passion for community organizing, youth development, and the arts. As an artist, educator, and movement builder, she teaches anti-racist organizing, racial equity, and cultural preservation, bridging theory with actionable change. Addys’ work centers on creating spaces for truth-telling, fostering collective empowerment, and championing systemic transformation through the arts, law, and community advocacy.

Jason Dorsey discovered his passion for poetry in 1999. In 2000, he joined the Blackout Arts Collective and began facilitating workshops across the country. In 2002, he represented Connecticut in the National Poetry Slam and co-wrote a hip-hop spoken word play that ran in New York and at Harvard and UCLA. Since 2017, he has been a teaching artist with The Word, conducting workshops and after-school programs. He has also co-written and directed a play about families healing from gun violence, which will be produced in New Haven in June 2024.

 Joey Battaglia, aka Joey Batts, is a dynamic figure from Uniondale, New York, who has called Connecticut home since starting at the University of Hartford in 2000. He is well-known in the Hartford arts community for founding "Hip Hop for the Homeless," a nonprofit that organizes rap concerts to collect food and clothing for those in need.

With nearly two decades of experience as a high school English teacher in Hartford, Joey has been recognized as a Teacher of the Year candidate. He actively engages in the local hip-hop scene, frequently performing and painting at community events. In recognition of his contributions, May 16th is officially "Joey Batts Day" in Hartford, as proclaimed by the city’s Mayor and the Governor of Connecticut. Above all, he considers himself your "Best Friend."

Alana Ladson is a self-taught illustrator, graphic designer, and painter. She has completed illustration, painting, and design work for Cornell Scott Hill Health Center, Yale Peabody Museum, The Arts Council of New Haven, DiasporaCon, Women Who Create, Artspace Gallery New Haven, and more.
Alana happily teaches art to children ages 5-17 through Arts for Learning CT and other organizations.
Alana has exhibited work at Loomis Chaffee's Mercy Gallery, The Dixwell Q House, and The New Haven Public Library. Additionally, Alana was chosen as a We Need Diverse Books Mentee for illustration. In her spare time, she likes to play video games, watch anime, and eat lots of different foods.’

Elvis Hazel Jr also know by his artist name Verbal Kent is a New Haven born artist, entrepreneur, Podcast Co Host and community activist. A product of the New Haven Magnet School system As a Music Industry undergrad student at the University of New Haven He was extremely active in Connecticut music, nightclub promotions, and big market radio as employee Hot 93.7fm (CBS Radio). As a co founder of The Doberman Gang, a group of Connecticut solo artist and East Coast Hip Hop producers he gained notary by publications like the Source Magazines its later days with a feature in the new artist section in several issues from 2004 to 2005 after signing to independent label Young World Entertainment. He started an indie label, produced an indie film, directed music videos, produced Mixtapes , Dvds, and started an apparel company. He is also the Co founder of SPORT (Street Poet Cipher Real Truth) Academy , an inner city outreach program providing mentorship through youth activities in New Haven, CT. He is the Co- Host/Co Founder of YAOOITZAPODCAST, a Hip hop based Podcast and owner of Ancient Gardens Herbs LLC.  Elvis is a Hip hop enthusiasts who has been one of the forces pushing the Connecticut Hip hop scene to relevancy with a passion for the culture and his community.