King Crush Thursday - The Interviews

158 DR DONTAE RYAN

EPISODE 158 A native of Baltimore, Maryland and a graduate of the Baltimore Polytechnic Institute, Dr. Dontae L. Ryan @drdryan1979 @LearnWithRyan received his baccalaureate degree in Electrical Engineering and Doctorate in Engineering from Morgan State University in 2001 and 2012, respectively.
Dr. Ryan has over 20 years of professional experience in Radio Frequency Engineering currently serving as the Vice President and Chief Technology Officer of The Ryan Institute, LLC; an Education and Technology Consulting Firm that he co-founded with his wife Antoynica Ryan in 2012. He has given several technical presentations regarding adaptable power amplifiers and anti-jam technologies at various technical conferences such as Government Microcircuit Applications & Critical Technology Conference, (GOMACTech), Asilomar Conference on Signals, Systems, and Computers, and the Joint Navigation Conference (JNC).
Through The Ryan Institute, LLC, Dr. Ryan & his wife have worked with several Baltimore City Public Schools to provide enrichment programming to their respective students. One-on-One tutoring, Pop-Up Brainery cultural enrichment program, Spring Break Academy for Science Technology Engineering Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) Enrichment, Step 101 team building, and standardize test preparatory are all programs that students of Baltimore City and surrounding counties have participated with The Ryan Institute, LLC. Recently being selected as a direct partner with the Baltimore City Public School’s Office of Family Engagement and Office of Teaching and Learning, The Ryan Institute is dedicated to its continuous service to the students of Baltimore and beyond. The Ryan Institute, LLC’s mission of “Preparing Scholars for Global Competition” through character education, athletics, and the arts to stabilize communities remains the center of its program and curriculum development.
Dr. Ryan is a brother of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc and is an active member of the Beta Alpha Lambda Chapter. He lives in Baltimore City with his wife Antoynica, their son Dontae II and daughter Kailyn.
See the Video Interview HERE

EP 157 EMILE E HOLLAND

EPISODE 157 Emile E. Holland is a 23 years old  west Philadelphia Native. Emile is a proud product of the Philadelphia public school system. Emile the son of a Temple Owl began his journey at Temple in the spring of 2019. Entering into Temple as a political science major, Emile quickly realized his zeal for the field of Africology, more specifically education under the discipline of Africology. Growing up with a mother as an educator there was always a heavy importance placed on education. And more importantly in the power that being a young g black educated man held. Being a devoted Christian community, involvement and engagement were at the forefront of Emiles life. Always having a passion for community engagement especially on the part of those in the minority. It was only fitting for Emile to join the ranks of the notable men of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. as a spring 22 initiate of the Pi Rho Mania chapter seated here at the temple. During his time here on campus as a Brother of Alpha, Emile served two terms on NPHC Eboard as Secretary and Vice-president. As well as serving in various rolls for his chapter and district levels. Come this fall Emile will be beginning his teaching career here in the school district of Philadelphia and will be starting a Master of Education in k-4 with a certification in k-12 special education. And Emile lives by the saying “simply showing up is half the battle”.
See the Video Interview HERE

ep 156 GLENN BEST

Glenn Best is the Workforce Development Consultant for T3 Creators Collective LLC. Performing complex planning, research, consultative, technical and program administration work. Provides consultative and technical services to other governmental agencies, community organizations and the private sector. Assists in establishing program goals and objectives; developing program guideline, schedules, priorities and standards and evaluating activities. He assists employers and organizations by expanding and creating new Registered Apprenticeship Programs for career seekers with a focus on minority and vulnerable populations. He provides consultative and technical services to other governmental agencies, community organizations and the private sector. 
Best previously served as the Director of the Supply Chain and Manufacturing Sectors Strategy and Workforce Partnerships for the NJ Community College Consortium Pathways to Career Initiative, focused on creating a state-wide network of education and workforce collaborations that are industry driven. The workforce partnerships are focused on equity and inclusion. Informed by Industry Leadership Teams comprised of employers, industry associations and labor unions, he works with the Centers for Workforce Innovation to map pathways in supply chain and manufacturing industry, integrating technology and building pathways around in-demand industry-valued credentials that will expand opportunities and access for New Jersey residents. 
He serves on the Council on Port Performance (Port Authority) and as the Convener for the New Jersey Manufacturing Industry Partnership. He also serves on the National CompTIA CTE Advisory Council and serves on the New Jersey Department of Education Information Technology Career Cluster Advisory Committee and the Newark Workforce Development Board.
 
See the Video Interview HERE

EP 155 LAMAR BAYLOR

LaMar Baylor is a native of Camden, NJ and is a proud gay black man! LaMar found his passion for the arts, specifically dance, where he graduated from the Creative Arts High School and the University of the Arts in Philadelphia. He has danced for Eleone Dance Theatre, Rebecca Davis Dance Company, PHILADANCO, and The Lion King on Broadway as a Swing. LaMar is not only a dancer but an Educator, Choreographer, Dance Enthusiast, Consultant, a Nonprofit Director and an Artist Manager.
See the Video Interview HERE

EP 154 AKIL PARKER

Akil Parker is the founder and CEO of All This Math, LLC, an educational services company aimed at drastically improving the relationship between Mathematics and the Black Community. The company offers math tutoring as well as educational consulting and professional development for schools. All This Math also maintains a free YouTube channel where viewers can get simplified math instruction infused with Black History and culture. 
More recently, Mr. Parker has begun offering parent workshops to help parents understand “New Math” and be able to help their children with math homework assignments. He is currently a math professor at Cheyney University and has taught high school math for a total of 19 years throughout Philadelphia. He is the author of 'How To Use All This Math, Volume 1' published in June 2023, a guidebook instructing parents/guardians in how to use everyday activities to develop arithmetic and algebra skills.
His greatest achievement is being a father of three children. Lastly, Akil Parker is a firm believer that math should be used as a tool of liberation for people of African descent globally.
See the Video Interview HERE

EP 75 GERALD VEASLEY

Gerald Veasley’s creative life has taken him into two mutually supportive roles: artist and arts leader. As a bassist, Veasley has performed and recorded with a wide array of celebrated jazz artists and has released nine recordings as an artist in his own right. In his role as President of Jazz Philadelphia, he is driven to help the next generation of artists thrive in his hometown. This organization is dedicated to unifying Philadelphia’s vibrant jazz community, celebrating its rich musical history and positioning it as an international destination for jazz. . “Philadelphia based legends from Coltrane, to Grover, from Sun Ra to Christian McBride have made major contributions to the world of jazz – I’m excited to see what the chapter brings.”
Veasley’s extensive musical resume includes work with many seminal artists in Jazz, R&B, and Gospel: Grover Washington, Jr., Joe Zawinul, Nnenna Freelon, McCoy Tyner, Pat Martino, Kirk Whalum, The Jaco Pastorius Big Band, Pieces of a Dream, Special EFX, Will Downing, Maysa, Gerald Levert, Teddy Pendergrass, Special EFX, Philip Bailey, and the Dixie Hummingbirds.
Veasley has expanded his creative portfolio as a curator of the Unscripted Jazz Series at SOUTH Jazz Club in Philadelphia. Launched in October 2015, the series has presented over 250 nights of music featuring top-name contemporary jazz artists.
His passion for educating and motivating other musicians led Veasley to co-found the Bass BootCamp in 2002. The annual event has informed and inspired hundreds of bass players of all levels and ages. Veasley has also served on the faculty of Philadelphia’s University of the Arts as a Master Lecturer.  
Gerald Veasley’s contribution to arts advocacy includes a long-standing relationship with the Recording Academy, where he has served in a number of volunteer leadership roles, including Chapter President, National Trustee, and National Advocacy Chair. He is an active member of the board of the Philadelphia Music Alliance. Veasley has also been recently selected to serve on the board of the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance.
Musician. Arts Leader. Educator. Curator. Gerald Veasley’s life as a creative professional is multifaceted. Indeed, he wears various hats, yet he is motivated by a singular purpose - to translate his joy of music to the world - music without boundaries.
 
See the Video Interview HERE

EP 74 DANIEL JACKSON

Daniel Jackson  is a skilled multimedia creative specializing in videography and photography. He began his professional artistic career in the world of music promotion, playing multiple positions in the field as a mixtape DJ, graphic designer, editor and producer.
Founded in 2011, Embassy: Interactive, LLC was created as a platform to promote a curated group of musical artists that were not in the spotlight of mainstream media. The creation of original content for Embassy: Interactive to aid in the promotion of featured artists garnered the awareness and demand for Daniel’s work within the industry and he began to produce exclusive content for multiple artists. Today, Embassy: Interactive is a growing brand, working with talented independent artists who are fulfilling their passions, organizations making impact in their communities, and individuals sharing their personal moments and professional accomplishments.
 
See the Video Interview HERE

EP 73 - CLAYTON CAROTHERS IV

Clayton Carothers IV @tattedfoodtherapist @dawgondrums7 - Teacher (science), musician (drummer), creator of plant-based foods (Tatted Food Therapist). Clayton was born and raised in North Jersey. Grew up in a tight family and went to college in Daytona Beach, Florida to the great Bethune -Cookman University. Graduated and moved right to Philly to begin teaching. He enjoys health and wellness. Clayton says: “We all get one body and we should care for it as best as we ought to. I am a firm believer that one's gifts and talents make way for life's journey.”
 
See the Video Interview HERE