Baltimore’s Most Inspiring Stories

The heart of our mission is to find the amazing souls that breathe life into our communities. In the recent weeks, we’ve had the privilege to connect with some incredible artists, creatives, entrepreneurs and rabble rousers and we can’t begin to express how impressed we are with the incredible group below. Check out our favorite stories from across the Voyage family.

Assane Konte

I have been a dancer all my life. It’s all I have ever wanted to do. My career as a professional dancer began at age 15, and for 12 years I traveled throughout West Africa performing and training with some of the best dancers in the region. Read More>>

Jerey Ojeah

It all started from my boutique Easy Language on 6th Street several years ago, just before Covid. With the location of the store being so close to several visas and consulate offices. People travelling would stop by looking for gifts to take home. Foreign travelers looking to buy gifts to take home – but not just any gift. Read More>>

Alrad Harrison

I was born to Clinton Harrison and Thomasine Harrison as an only child in East Baltimore. Both of my parents are deceased. My mother recently passed away from cancer on April 28, 2026. She was a loving soul and the center of my heart. My mother and my grandfather, Alfred Taylor, were the key cornerstones of my drive and determination. Read More>>

Gem Collie

I was born and raised in Kingston, Jamaica, and my entire relationship with food started in my grandmother’s kitchen. Every Friday she cooked the classics — Jamaican escovitch fish, steamed cabbage, pepper pot soup — and no matter what she made, there was always one thing on the table: her homemade pickled pepper sauce. That sauce was everything to me. Read More>>

Alisha LaVon

I’ve been doing hair for over 20 years, but my journey really started long before I became a professional stylist. Growing up, I was always playing in my own hair and experimenting with different styles. Braiding came naturally to me. Read More>>

Brandon Logan

My story starts with a question I couldn’t stop asking — why do people do what they do? I was a psychology undergrad and that question drove everything. I was drawn to neuroscience, to I/O psychology, to understanding behavior not just at the individual level but at the societal level. Why do we operate the way we operate? Read More>>

Wesley Clark

The semi quick version is: Art was always a thing I naturally gravitated to. Didn’t know it could be something ‘more’ until seeing the paintings of my friend’s mother around his house. She had a painting studio and a graphic design space in their home. That was elementary school years – 1st grade. So I grew up seeing that. Read More>>

Kurline Josephine Altes

I am an immigrant from Saint Lucia, and my journey has never followed a straight line. Before I became a workforce development executive, speaker, and founder, I was simply a young woman searching for opportunity. Like many immigrants, I arrived in the United States carrying big dreams but limited resources. Read More>>

Yana Nathan

hi there i’m yana! i’m a licensed cosmetologist and i am the owner of Dazed & Divine, a solo chair Catonsville based salon. i grew up going to private christian schools until 7th&8th grade when i switched to public school. going to private school taught me a lot about allowing myself to be curious. Read More>>

Riko Redz

I was born and raised in Baltimore Maryland. My earliest memories are from living on and being around Park Heights. My mom and I were on the Jewtown side while my family was on the city side. My mom put me in private school from like 7 to 12 so I was around a lot of different music early on. Read More>>

Elena Sonnino

I was on a hiking trail at Loch Raven Reservoir when a whisper found me: ‘how fun would it be to open a plant shop?’ I’d set out on the hike with the intention to be curious. To allow ideas to find me, because I knew that I wanted to have impact differently. Read More>>

Patrick Kurowski

My story in digital marketing started back in 2011 in a pretty unexpected way. I was hired as an intern for a sports company in Philadelphia, and because I happened to have the only computer in the office capable of editing video, I suddenly found myself responsible for the website, social media accounts, and digital marketing strategy. Read More>>

Tonya Moore

My journey has been anything but traditional, and I’ve learned to embrace that. I’m originally from Baltimore, Maryland, and throughout my career I’ve worn many hats—from serving in the U.S. Air Force to working in entertainment and corporate relations with BET Networks, and later building a career in the airline industry. Read More>>

Kenneth Moss

As the founder of KennyCaptures, I’ve been fortunate to build a photography and videography business rooted in storytelling, creativity, and community impact. What began as a passion for capturing moments at age 16 in the Brooklyn neighborhood of South Baltimore has grown into opportunities to document people, places, and stories throughout Baltimore and beyond. Read More>>

Gary Brown

I got started in real estate investing over 13 years ago. One day, my cousin Denzel and I were sitting in a car listening to a podcast that explained how everyday people could build wealth through real estate. As we listened, something clicked for me. I became fascinated with the idea of owning properties, creating opportunities, and building financial freedom through real estate investing. Read More>>

Jack Anderson

Managing 700+ family hives in South Africa sparked a lifelong passion for beekeeping. I later transformed this passion into a mission-driven business upon moving to Ellicott City, MD. LumberJack Apiary was born after winning Grand Champion at the Howard County Fair with a perfect score of 100- our first honey contest ever! Read More>>

Jeffrey Herberger

I am a video post-production specialist and editor, a career path that grew out of a lifelong involvement in still photography and motion pictures. My journey began in 1978 when I joined the U.S. Navy as a Photographer’s Mate. Read More>>

David Addi

I started in the promotional products industry in 2014 after realizing I loved the combination of creativity, branding, and helping businesses make a lasting impression. In the early days, I built the business from the ground up, relying on hustle, relationships, and a willingness to learn every aspect of the industry. Read More>>

Eric Brown

I’ve been a dog lover my entire life, but Molly’s really started because of my own dog, Juno. Like many dog owners, I wanted a place where I could leave my dog knowing she was safe, comfortable, and genuinely cared for. The more I looked around, the more I realized that many of the options available simply weren’t places where I felt comfortable leaving her. Read More>>

Tye Gibson

My story has always been rooted in service, community, and helping people see what is possible for themselves. I started in spaces where people needed more than programming, they needed consistency, encouragement, accountability, and someone willing to meet them where they were. Over time, my path has taken me through youth development, fitness, ministry, community outreach, program management, and nonprofit leadership. Read More>>

Reed Bmore

I am a Wire Street Artist who came up in Baltimore MD, my study was in Environmental Design so naturally I was drawn to doing street art and public works. As a Skateboarder I was always interested in how we can interact with the built environment in different ways. Read More>>

Walter Washington, IV

I was born in Washington, D.C., and raised in Maryland, spending my childhood in both Prince George’s County and Harford County. At the tender age of 8 years old, I gave my life to Christ. I was a member of Ebenezer AME Church (Fort Washington, MD), under the prestigious tutelage of Pastor Grainger and Co-Pastor Jo Ann Browning. Read More>>

Stephen Conti

The concept of Tocar Spa started in 2001, during my sophomore year of college during a “Spanish 101” class presentation. Students were asked to present on a topic of interest, and massage therapy was high on my list. Read More>>

Ali Smith

I have dedicated more than 30 years to studying and teaching biomechanics, fitness, nutrition, and functional movement to help people build strength, improve their health, and maintain vitality throughout life. I earned a Bachelor of Arts in Kinesiology from Temple University and later received my Massage Therapy License in Pennsylvania. Read More>>

Patrice Singletary

Nannie Mae’s Kitchen: Comfort Food Made With Purpose Some people inherit recipes. I inherited resilience. My story begins with tragedy, but it is also a story of love, survival, and legacy. When I was just eight years old, my world changed forever. Read more>>

Komal Luthra

Growing up, I was surrounded by stories of transformation. At the dinner table, my father, a gastroenterologist, would recount moments when timely intervention had saved a life. My mother, a psychotherapist, spoke of patients who arrived overwhelmed by depression and slowly rediscovered hope through patience, trust, and care. Read more>>