J. Joy “Sistah Joy” Matthews Alford was appointed as the inaugural Poet Laureate of Prince George’s County, Maryland in September 2018 to serve a 3-year term supporting and promoting poetry as well as cultural and literary arts in Prince George’s County. She is an author, arts advocate, and produces and has hosted the award-winning poetry-based cable television show, Sojourn with Words since its inception in 2005.
* Highly experienced poet, presenter, workshop leader
* Provides engaging presentations and workshops (in-person or virtual) to diverse groups including:
- civic, cultural, senior, community and religious groups
- high school and college classrooms
- US and global conferences
* Offers exceptional, unique facilitation skills on topics such as:
- poetry as an anti-hunger tool
- poetry about America's slave holding past
Hays Dowdy is a DMV based guitarist/singer-songwriter, YouTuber, and Sessions Live artist working in the wedding and entertainment industry, while also performing live both as a solo artist and with several bands in the DC area. Rooted in British Invasion rock/pop, blues, psychedelia, country, and trained in jazz at Montgomery College, my approach blends different musical genres to evoke the sonic spirit of an environment within a studio in the 1960s. I earned an Associate of Arts degree from Montgomery College on May 23rd, 2014.
I am a visual artist and illustrator who loves incorporating my love for the environment, nature, current events, music, and culture in my artwork. I enjoy creating mixed media pieces, paintings, and illustrations. My focus is mostly Abstract Realism; however, I am always open to trying new styles and techniques to see how far I can push my artistic skills and abilities.
Baltimore Clayworks is a community-centered ceramics institution in the Mt. Washington neighborhood of Baltimore, Maryland. Our organization was founded by nine artists in 1980 and in 1984 received its nonprofit 501(c)3 status. We are known for our attentiveness to our city, and possess a national and international reputation for artistic excellence, artists’ support, and community involvement.
Melanie Figg is the President of Figg Coaching & Consulting - through which she offers creativity coaching and life coaching to writers, artists of all genres, and those working in the arts. As a certified professional coach, Melanie has coached hundreds of creative people. She works with people to to start - and finish! - their large creative projects, manage procrastination and perfectionism, improve time management and confidence, and find more meaning and ease in their personal and professional lives.
Mollye Miller is a photographer and creative writer from Baltimore, MD. She is the owner of Mollye Miller Photography LLC where she specializes in emotion-driven, documentary-style family, portrait, personal brand shoots and street photography. Her business centers on seeing and valuing people through photography.
Janice Curtis Greene is an award-winning Author, Master Storyteller and Historical Interpreter, an American Griot. She has been telling African, African American, and Multicultural stories for over 30 years. She is Past President of the Griots' Circle of Maryland, Inc. and Immediate Past President of the National Association of Black Storytellers. Mrs. Greene, also, serves as a Commissioner on the Maryland Commission on African American History and Culture.
Between 1986 to 1994, MEAC toured worldwide as an Arts Ambassador on behalf of the British Council. Its ground-breaking performances were acclaimed as the first Art form that could truly allow the severely disabled child an opportunity to become part of the theater community. In 1994 the troupe re-located to the United States of America. Beginning in 1994 MEAC conducted a school residency at The Maryland School for the Blind, which continued for 21 years.
MET and its Founders Tad Janes & Gené Fouché have spearheaded the growth of MET from an improv troupe of young comics called the Comedy Pigs who performed in the back of local Frederick, MD bars in the late 90’s into a community stronghold.