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Tarik “Konshens The MC” Davis:
Native Washingtonian, Tarik “Konshens The MC” Davis – is an International hip-hop artist, songwriter, Global Arts Educator, Youth advocate & Inspirational Speaker from Washington D.C.
He is Founder & CEO of Edutainment Unlimited LLC (Arts Education/Entertainment Co.) former Governor on the Grammy Chapter Board, current Voting Member of the Grammy Recording Academy, Grammy Museum Artist Educator, UNCCD Land Ambassador, U.S Cultural Ambassador (State Department) 2022 Kennedy Center Next 50 Honoree & 2023 Presidential Service Award Recipient.
Founder of Edutainment Unlimited an organization that specializes in providing arts integrated workshops for youth with disabilities and IEP’s, filtering them into work based employment opportunities post program completion. Servicing over a thousand DC based youth. He is also the MC and founder of ‘Classically Dope’, a classical, hip-hop group merging Poetry and Hip-Hop with original classical arrangements. Konshens has been featured at Carnegie Hall and the John F. Kennedy Center for Performing Arts.
He has been a highlighted performer on FOX, ABC and CBS networks as well as the Washington Post, Washingtonian Magazine and the Washington Wizards. www.konshens.com/edutainment
YahZarah:
YahZarah is a dynamic singer/songwriter celebrated for her extraordinary voice, electrifying stage presence, and genre-defying artistry spanning soul, rock, pop, hip-hop, and jazz.
Lauded as one of the greatest voices of her generation, she evokes comparisons to Janelle Monáe and Janis Joplin, while channeling the energy of Tina Turner and Prince. Her latest album, The Ceremony, blends fiery rock and soul with immersive instrumentation, showcasing her artistic evolution.
A founding member of The Foreign Exchange, YahZarah co-penned the BBC’s Song of the Year “Sincere” and contributed to the Grammy-nominated Leave It All Behind. She has shared stages with legends like Prince, Anderson Paak, and The Roots and was the exclusive opener for Anthony Hamilton’s “Playing It Cool Tour.” Her iconic performances include singing for Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton, performing the national anthems for the Yankees, and captivating audiences at the Apollo Theater and NPR’s Tiny Desk Tour.
Most recently, she was honored as an Apollo Theater Icon and performed at the Kennedy Center Honors’ Beyond the Broadcast. YahZarah’s journey began as a soprano in Erykah Badu’s band, “Camp Wisdom,” before touring with Lenny Kravitz and contributing to Madonna’s Madame X. Her prior album, The Ballad of Purple Saint James, earned Grammy consideration in six categories.
She now ventures into acting, starring in Kameko Tarnez’s Protector of the Gods. With The Ceremony and exciting new projects, YahZarah continues to inspire, proving that resilience and artistry are the keys to a transformative legacy.
Antwon “Noochie” Vincent:
Antwon “Noochie” Vincent is a rapper, producer, and visionary from Southeast Washington, D.C., known for blending hip-hop, go-go, and R&B into an authentic and raw musical experience. As the son of OneWay Boobe, a pioneer in the D.C. rap scene, Noochie was raised in a household that embraced both music and entrepreneurship, laying the foundation for his creative journey.
Noochie is the creator and executive producer of Live From the Front Porch, a groundbreaking live performance series that has featured artists such as Chance the Rapper, Anderson .Paak, Cordae, and Robin Thicke. Recognized by BET for its impact on hip-hop’s live performance culture and acknowledged by Rolling Stone for its growing influence, the platform has become a vital space for artists to showcase their craft in an unfiltered, intimate setting.
Beyond his work as a curator, Noochie has built an impressive career as a recording artist. His projects, including Product of the DMV and the Sneaky Tape series, highlight his lyrical depth, storytelling, and deep connection to his city’s culture. His presence in the industry reached new heights in 2024 when he attended the Grammy Awards for his contribution to Kings From Queens: The Run-DMC Story, which was nominated for Best Music Film.
With a major Live From the Front Porch showcase set for the Kennedy Center and the upcoming Front Porch Festival, Noochie continues to push boundaries, blending music, culture, and community in ways that redefine independent artistry. His work not only represents the sound of D.C. but also its resilience, innovation, and ever-evolving legacy.
Angel Gregorio:
@Angel Gregorio is one of the District of Columbia’s most recognized Next-Gen, black female entrepreneurs and influencers of our time.
Community Servant. Innovator. Philanthropist. Disruptor.
Angel is the founder and owner of The Spice Suite, a growing community-centric spice boutique, located in the city’s Takoma Park community. The Spice Suite is aimed at not only providing its patrons with unique, interactive culinary experiences, but was also established with a mission to support and empower other local grass-root business owners to maximize their own potential and success. As a way to pay it forward and support fellow dreamers, Angel offers space at The Spice Suite for pop-up shops, free of charge. No fine print. No commission.
Since embarking on her self-proclaimed “food is fashion” journey, Angel and her business have been featured on a variety of local and national media platforms, such as The Drew Barrymore Show, Essence Magazine, BET, Travel & Leisure, Bon Appetit and VICE News.
Born in DC, Angel attended DC public schools. She graduated from Benjamin Banneker Academic High School and earned both Bachelor and Master’s degrees in Psychology and Counseling Psychology, respectively, from Howard University.
Angel has demonstrated a long-standing commitment to improving the lives of the city’s most at-risk and vulnerable youth and families. Prior to launching her entrepreneurial career, Angel worked in educational leadership and youth advocacy roles as a teacher at the Oak Hill Youth Academy, and as a counselor, and later Vice Principal, at a DC Charter School. She is co-founder of DC Natives Day, an official holiday recognized by Mayor Muriel Bowser to recognize and highlight the presence and contributions of DC Natives to the culture and fabric of Washington, DC., and now owns Black + Forth, the city’s first Black-owned strip mall offering community education and affordable commercial space for Black business owners.