No Pix After Dark Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

Join Aaron Dante on the No Pix After Dark Podcast as he sits down with Keith  Bennett, the show director for the Lion King's national Rafiki Tour, during his return to Baltimore. In this heartfelt episode, Bennett shares the trials and triumphs of his career, from his beginnings in Baltimore to his current position at the helm of one of Broadway's most beloved productions. His journey is one of resilience, determination, and a testament to the power of discipline and community support.

Hear about Bennett's path from local theater in Maryland to taking on Broadway, facing hardships, and finding joy and purpose in guiding new talent in the theater industry. This episode is a celebration of passion, hard work, and the unwavering spirit required to succeed in the demanding world of theater. Tune in to be inspired by personal stories of overcoming challenges, embracing opportunities, and the power of returning to one's roots.

Join host Aaron Dante on the No Pix After Dark Podcast as he sits down with Dr. Lance London, the visionary behind the Carolina Kitchen. This episode delves into the inspiring story of a black-owned business making waves in Owens Mills with its new plant-based offerings.

Dr. London shares his journey from aspiring dentist to successful restaurateur, driven by his father's entrepreneurial spirit. He recounts overcoming personal and professional challenges, including a devastating fire that led to a triumphant comeback, opening the doors to a new restaurant in Largo, Maryland.

In this engaging conversation, discover how Dr. London combines his marketing prowess with culinary innovation to cater to diverse tastes, including the growing demand for plant-based options. Learn about the exciting expansion plans for Carolina Kitchen and the upcoming launch of Ma Pearls Louisiana Kitchen and Grill.

Dr. London also offers valuable advice for aspiring entrepreneurs, emphasizing the importance of perseverance, focus, and a strong work ethic. Don't miss this episode filled with insights, inspiration, and a passion for food that promises to tantalize your taste buds.

In our latest episode, my co-host Beth Anne Dorman and I had the privilege of sitting down with Franklyn Baker, the President and CEO of United Way of Central Maryland, to discuss the organization's upcoming centennial celebration. Since 1925, United Way of Central Maryland has shown remarkable resilience and innovation, adapting to meet the community's changing needs, especially during the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Franklyn emphasized the importance of agility and flexibility in nonprofit work, highlighting the crucial role of mental health in overall community well-being. He stressed the collaborative efforts needed to address economic, social, and health disparities effectively.

Join us as we delve into how United Way's programs, such as the ALICE initiative and mental health services, are actively making a positive impact in Central Maryland. Discover the insights into the triumphs and challenges of sustaining a nonprofit for a century and the vision for thriving communities in the future.

During the conversation, we also had the opportunity to discuss mental health with Baltimore County Executive John “Johnny O” Olszewski Jr. and MACO President, where he shed light on the vital initiatives taking place in Baltimore County and underscored the significance of mental health for all individuals.

Unique M. Robinson is a writer/performer, professor, & proud Baltimore native. She received her MFA in English from Mills College, and a BA in Creative Writing/Black Studies from Hampshire College. As an artist, has performed poetry since her teens individually and with collectives throughout the US. As an educator, she has served in Teaching Artist and administrative roles for Baltimore nonprofits, and received the Emerging Teaching Artist award from Arts Every Day in 2017. Later, she received the Grit Fund Grant in 2019. 

Unique has two book releases: the chapbook, flicked/forgotten/FREED (2014), and a full-length poetic memoir, Four Wings & A Prayer: A Charm City Churn (2014). She later expanded into music, releasing blkottonkandy's debut EP, vesica piscis (2019), Tha 27th Letter, Vol. I & II in 2019 & 2020 respectively, and 2021’s GETCHA LIFE! EP (with MRDJXZ). Unique currently serves as a member of the Writers Advisory Council of Hampshire College. She is Humanistic Studies Faculty at MICA, a Poetry & Performance Teaching Artist with K-12 Baltimore City School students, as well as the Chairperson for 2021 Baltimore Black Pride, and 2022 Baltimore Pride. 

Kenneth Morrison is an established spoken word artist, author, organizer and educator. Kenneth has over 10 years of experience working to improve the quality of life for some of Baltimore's most marginalized residents. Kenneth has worked to create change in classrooms, prisons and community centers across the country. Kenneth describes himself as an "artivist" and seeks opportunities to use art as a social justice tool as he works to improve the overall human condition.

EP 184: Aaron interviewed Laura Bankey Vice President of Conservation Programs at the National Aquarium. I asked Laura what is her definition of Conservation? Laura explained the Conservations Programs that the National Aquarium offers. She also discussed the programs they have for Baltimore City students and summer camps. We discussed Science Based Education, Hands-On Field Initiatives , Award winning exhibits and the Enoch Pratt Library book partnership. Thank you Laura Bankey and the National Aquarium Team for having me as a guest at the Aquarium.

As vice president of conservation programs at the National Aquarium, Laura Bankey provides strategic vision and leadership to impact both ecosystems and communities, focusing on the National Aquarium's unique contributions to conservation, consistent with its mission and values, and working in close collaboration with the senior leadership to advance the National Aquarium's conservation priorities. She has been with the Aquarium since 2002

IG: nopixafterdark

www.nopixafterdark.com

Sponsors of NoPixAfterDarkPodcast 

Zeke's Coffee www.zekescoffee.com

Maggies Farm www.maggiesfarm.com

FoundStudio Shop www.foundstudioshop.com

Charm Craft City Mafia www.charmcitycraftmafia.com

Siena Leigh https://www.sienaleigh.com

Open Works https://www.openworksbmore.org

Snug Books Baltimore https://www.snugbooks.com

Baltimore Fiscal https://www.baltimorefiscal.com

NoPixAfterDark EP 183: Staci Wolfson Founder of The Baltimore Flow and Cramped Style Blog, I’m excited for you to listen to Staci’s story on the next NoPixAfterDarkPodcast. We talk about Endometriosis and how it took over 15 years to be diagnosed. We talk about  the group The Baltimore Flow and Cramped Style Blog.  You don’t want to miss this episode. Thank you Staci for telling your story.  

IG: crampedstyleblog

IG: thebaltimoreflow

IG: nopixafterdark

www.nopixafterdark.com

Sponsors of NoPixAfterDarkPodcast 

Zeke's Coffee www.zekescoffee.com

Maggies Farm www.maggiesfarm.com

FoundStudio Shop www.foundstudioshop.com

Charm Craft City Mafia www.charmcitycraftmafia.com

Siena Leigh https://www.sienaleigh.com

Open Works https://www.openworksbmore.org

Snug Books Baltimore https://www.snugbooks.com

Baltimore Fiscal https://www.baltimorefiscal.com

EP 182: Justin Fenton. Author of "We Own This City" and Investigative Reporter for the Baltimore Banner. Justin discussed how working for The Baltimore Sun was his dream job. When he was offered a job out of college he knew Baltimore was where he wanted to be a reporter. We discuss his journey from The Baltimore Sun to now the Baltimore Banner. We talk about why he left and what he hopes happens next. We also discuss his book"We Own This City" . This book is now a hit HBO Show. We talk about his trials and tribulations while writing this book and participating with the TV show. We also learn more about the Baltimore Banner and being a reporter is his first love.

Twitter: @Justin_Fenton

IG: @Justin_Fenton

www.nopixafterdark.com

IG: Nopixafterdark

Special Thank you to Snug Books

Sponsors of NoPixAfterDarkPodcast 

Zeke's Coffee www.zekescoffee.com

Maggies Farm www.maggiesfarm.com

FoundStudio Shop www.foundstudioshop.com

Charm Craft City Mafia www.charmcitycraftmafia.com

Siena Leigh https://www.sienaleigh.com

Open Works https://www.openworksbmore.org

Snug Books Baltimore https://www.snugbooks.com

Baltimore Fiscal https://www.baltimorefiscal.com

Nopixafterdark EP 181: Sammy & Maddie of Girl and the Gov, The Podcast come on the show. They have a great podcast that discusses politics, voting rights and anything that a person would like to learn in that field. No question is stupid question for this show. We discuss how they started this podcast during the pandemic. They both live on separate coast Sammy NYC and Maddie in San Francisco but they have figured out how to make the podcast work. You learn a lot about their show and how the concept has them thriving during an election midterm year. This was a fun episode and I hope to get them to Visit Baltimore to tape a live podcast taping in the fall of 2022 before the midterm election.  

Available on the airwaves and Youtube every Wednesday, Girl and the Gov, The Podcast is an extension of Girl and the Gov’s® mission to provide a platform for millennials to engage with the evolving political sphere in an approachable, digestible, and accessible way. Co-hosted by Sammy Kanter and Maddie Medved, the podcast provides an inside look at the ins and outs of government and politics as we know it today through engaging interviews with leaders in the field and segments that address the questions everyone wants to ask but never does. In this podcast, there’s no question too stupid, no rock left unturned, and no mysterious jargon that isn’t examined in-depth

https://www.girlandthegov.com/the-podcast

IG : girlandthegovthepodcast

xafterdark.com

Sponsors of NoPixAfterDarkPodcast  Zeke's Coffee www.zekescoffee.com

Maggies Farm www.maggiesfarm.com

FoundStudio Shop www.foundstudioshop.com

Charm Craft City Mafia www.charmcitycraftmafia.com

Siena Leigh https://www.sienaleigh.com

Open Works https://www.openworksbmore.org

Snug Books Baltimore 

Baltimore Fiscal https://www.baltimorefiscal.com

Nopixafterdark EP 180: Aaron interviews Julie Donaldson the Senior Vice President of The Washington Commanders. We discuss her journey from University of Florida to Washington DC. Julie talks about working hard, learning as much as possible and taking any job that came her way in the beginning of her career.  That hard work ethic has prepared her for her job with the Washington Commanders.The first female to be a regular on-air member of an NFL radio broadcast booth. Take a listen to her amazing journey.

Julie Donaldson is the Senior Vice President of Media and Content for the Washington Commanders. A member of Washington's executive leadership team, Julie oversees the entire broadcast and editorial operation in the organization along with being a permanent member of the gameday radio broadcast. The first female to be a regular on-air member of an NFL radio broadcast booth, Julie also adds her input and vision towards all of the club's in-house creative content.

During a decade-long tenure as a reporter, anchor, and host for NBC Sports Washington (NCBSW), Julie has covered nearly every team, athlete and major sports story in the Washington, D.C., and Baltimore region, as well as across national and international sporting events. Julie most recently served as host of NBCSW's Emmy Award-winning NFL pregame and postgame shows and contributed regularly to its other football programs and coverage.

In addition to her work with NBCSW, Julie has also frequently held on-air roles for NBC Sports and NBC Olympics. She has held three Olympic assignments as a News Desk Host during the 2018 (PyeongChang) 2016 (Rio) and 2014 (Sochi) Olympic Games, and often serves as a weekend Sports Desk host for NBC Sports. Before that, Julie hosted NBCSW's live NBA gameday shows, and was an anchor and reporter for several NBCSW news, analysis, and entertainment shows, including SportsNet Central, Training Camp Daily and Football Central.

Julie joined NBCSW in August 2010 after stops in some of the nation's top markets, including Boston, New York, and Miami. Donaldson served as a sports anchor and reporter for Boston's WHDH-TV (NBC). Prior to WHDH, she was as a reporter for SportsNet New York (SNY) for two years, including the network's inaugural season.

Bio From the Commanders website

EP 179 Aaron interviewed  Dia Simms CEO of LOBOS 1707 Tequila & Mezcal & CO-FOUNDER, PRONGHORN. Dia is Morgan State University Alum, she resides  in Columbia MD. We discuss her journey from living in NYC and moving to Baltimore. Dia  worked for over 15 years with Sean "Diddy" Combs or P.Diddy  with his Ciroc Brand. She discusses how she became the CEO of LOBOS 1707 Tequila & Mezcal that is invested by Lebron James. We talk about being a CO-FOUNDER for PRONGHORN and how the company will help minorities get into the SPIRITS game.  I've told you enough go listen to this amazing episode. 

Dia Simms is co-founder of PRONGHORN, a stand-alone business established to create a  scalable template for diversifying an industry. The initial aim will be to cultivate the next  generation of Black entrepreneurs, employees and executive leaders within the spirits industry  through sustainable investment, incubation and recruitment. The pronghorn is the fastest North  American land mammal and can endure speeds for miles. Inspired by its namesake, Pronghorn  believes creating real change is a marathon, not a sprint. 

Dia Simms also serves as the CEO of Lobos 1707 Tequila & Mezcal, an independent spirits brand that launched in November 2020. Simms leads Lobos 1707 alongside Founder and Chief  Creative Officer Diego Osorio, with early backing by sports and cultural icon, LeBron James.  Lobos 1707 Tequila & Mezcal is named after the Spanish word lobos, meaning "wolves", and  dedicated to celebrating the strength of the pack. Simms brings an impressive track record of  building successful brands, combined with her entrepreneurial spirit and deep expertise in the  spirits industry to Lobos 1707.  

Simms spent almost fifteen years working alongside Sean “Diddy” Combs at Combs Enterprises,  starting in 2005 as his executive assistant. She grew within the company while building multiple  brands and businesses under the Combs Enterprises umbrella. In 2017, Simms was named  President of Combs Enterprises, making her the first president in the company’s thirty-year  history other than Sean Combs himself. In her role as President, she oversaw multi-billion-dollar  brands under the Combs empire, including: CÎROC Ultra-Premium Vodka, Blue Flame Agency,  AQUAhydrate, Bad Boy Entertainment, Sean John and Revolt TV. Of note, Simms led the  transformation of CÎROC Ultra- Premium Vodka taking the previously unprofitable brand to a  $2 billion retail value.  

Simms was listed as “One of the Most Powerful Executives in the Industry'' by Billboard in both  2017 and 2018, as well as named to the Ebony 'Power 100' list. In April of 2018, she was an  honoree of the Matrix Awards from New York Women In Communications (NYWIC), as well  as named to the 2018 Ad Age ‘Women to Watch’ list and Variety’s ‘Power of Women New  York Impact List’. Simms serves on the board for the Maryland organization THREAD, which  provides underprivileged Baltimore-area high-school students resources to help foster their  academic advancement and personal growth. She often speaks on the importance of diverse  leadership and accelerated brand building.  

Simms graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Morgan State University. She  obtained a master’s degree in Management from the Florida Institute of Technology. Simms now  resides in Maryland where she lives with her husband, daughter and dog.

www.pronghorn.co

www.lobos1707.com

Sponsors of NoPixAfterDarkPodcast Zeke's Coffee www.zekescoffee.com Maggies Farm www.maggiesfarm.com FoundStudio Shop @foundstudioshop  Charm Craft City Mafia @charmcitycraftmafia  Siena Leigh https://www.sienaleigh.com Open Works @open_works_bmore  Baltimore Fiscal @baltimorefiscal  Snug Book. @snugbooksbmore