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.

Darienne Singfield

I developed a passion for doing hair at a very young age. I grew up rolling my mom’s hair while she was asleep, fascinated by the beauty and creativity behind it. Before I was even tall enough to see over the bathroom counter, I was attempting to curl my own hair. Read more>>

Swinita Shah

I’m a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist (M.S., CCC-SLP), licensed in Maryland and ASHA-accredited. I earned my Bachelor of Science in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology from Towson University, then my Master’s in Communication Disorders and Sciences from Baylor University, and completed my clinical fellowship back at my own high school in Howard County (a full-circle moment!). Read more>>

Zion Shakur

As a kid with a lively expression for the arts, it helped me realize my individuality at a very young age. I knew I was different and that being different wasn’t a bad thing at all. Born in Baltimore MD, growing up in Owings Mills MD i had a lot of opportunities waiting for me, that I didn’t even know were there. Read more>>

Patricia Watts

My story is one of service, reinvention, faith, and learning that sometimes the experiences that appear to be separate chapters of your life are actually preparing you for one greater purpose. I am Dr. Read more>>

Lindsay (Cray Gardens) Todd

In 2020, I was a stay-at-home mom with two toddler boys. We were home during the pandemic and I was feeling very stir crazy and isolated. As a former theater artist, I needed a creative outlet to stay sane while the world was mostly shut down. I turned to social media. Read more>>

Guapo Chloe

All roads lead back to self-expression for me. It really started in middle school. I was chronically online and heavily influenced by YouTube, anime, and video games. I also grew up attending a private school where we wore uniforms, so I always felt the need to find other ways to stand out and express who I was. Read more>>

Pegah/Lisa Shahghasemi/Ramber

We met as resident artists at Washington’s District Clay in 2014. We found that we worked really well together, enjoyed each other’s company and had similar points of view about creating pottery. When the studio on the Arts Walk became available in 2015 we decided to take a leap and open Kuzeh Pottery. Read more>>

Dyon Davidson

In 2004, my mother suffered from a brain aneurysm and taught herself jewelry making as a therapeutic outlet for recovery. Ten years later in 2014, I received a dual diagnosis of Lupus and Sjogrens. During this experience, I picked up that method of utilizing jewelry making as a coping practice for healing that would eventually contribute to the improvement of my mental health. Read more>>

Crystal Harris

I always knew I wanted to be a writer; well, I always knew I loved to write, but I never thought it could be a career. I never knew how one could make money from writing, but it was never about the money; it was about telling a story. Read more>>

Roshelle Zielinski

People often assume I got into herbal wellness because I grew up surrounded by herbs. While Jamaica definitely planted those seeds, my journey wasn’t a straight path. It was shaped by life, loss, motherhood, and a deep desire to take better care of myself and the people I love. I was born in Kingston, Jamaica, but I was raised across different countries throughout my childhood. Read more>>

Dajah Veney

I never knew I had the passion for doing nails until I started doing my own nails at 15 . Over time I grew the passion for it and I’ve got too where I am today by being consistent, passionate, creative and hard working . Read more>>

Jackie Aston

I became a therapist because I’ve always been fascinated by what helps people create deeper, healthier relationships. I earned my Master of Social Work from the University of Maryland, Baltimore. Early in my career, I worked with individuals experiencing anxiety, depression, eating disorders, and major life transitions. Read more>>

Fasil Getachew

In the spring of 2015, I was working part-time as a valet parking attendant for MarcParc, a company that specialized in valet parking for special events. After a few months, a Canadian parking company acquired MarcParc and shut down its special events valet division, explaining that they were only interested in operating parking garages. Read more>>

SC Nealy

With over 16 years working in the mental health field, SC Nealy (they/she) has their second Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (first in Forensic Psychology) and is on the Board of Directors at Capital Pride and the Arlington County Community Service Board for the Department of Health. Read more>>

Richard “Farmer Chippy” Francis

My journey with Plantation Park Heights Urban Farm (PPHUF) and the AGRIHOOD Baltimore Initiative truly began with a deep conviction that our communities deserve control over its own food supply and health destiny. Growing up in Trinidad and Tobago, I learned early on that agriculture is the foundation of self-reliance. Read more>>

La Stone

I started teaching yoga during the pandemic. It was a birthday gift that I gave myself to give myself more attention. I was a stressed-out, burned-out decades long corporate communications employee successfully climbing the ladder by helping businesses elevate their brands, and C-suite executives elevate their reputations, to customers and employees. Read more>>

Patch McLaughlin

My journey into furniture making was anything but direct. I started out as a Marine, then worked as a deckhand on tugboats in the Baltimore, Philadelphia, and New York harbors. After that, I became a beat reporter and eventually a journalism student at American University. At no point did I imagine woodworking would become my calling—it simply wasn’t on my radar. Read more>>

Renea Brown

I’m from Lexington, Kentucky, and as I child, I would watch the same movies over and over, so I could perform them for my family, or when we went on long roadtrips. My parents told me I could be like the people in the movies, and that there was a school that would teach me how to be an actor. Read more>>

Emilio Lopez

Chef Emilio came to the DC area, Rockville MD in 1988 from his home in Mexico City. He was motivated to travel to the US because he is a big music lover, especially heavy metal bands, and he planned to tour the country attending concerts he couldn’t see in Mexico. Read more>>

Elan Hilaire

I am a former athlete and facilities/construction project manager turned creative. Frustrated by the volatile world of big corporations I decided to start freelancing around Covid. I found myself photographing an elopement wedding, than an engagement and family portraits. Next thing I knew I made my way to track meets where my business really started to grow. Read more>>

Leah McLean

I’ve always been someone who’s enjoyed seeing new places and trying new things: whether that was restaurants, makeup, products, etc. During Covid, I moved from MD to NC for law school. At the same time, I started becoming more active on social media. I enjoyed the aspect of sharing my different experiences with people from all over. Read more>>

Denise Morris

In 2020, my mother’s cancer diagnosis completely changed the way I thought about the products we bring into our homes. I’ve always loved candles, but when I learned that many traditional candles contain ingredients that can negatively impact indoor air quality, I knew there had to be a better option. That realization sparked a passion for creating something better—products that are luxurious and wellness focused. Read more>>

Latoya Frazier

Latoya L. J. Frazier is a nationally recognized youth advocate, community service leader, and author dedicated to empowering vulnerable populations and strengthening the systems that support them. With more than two decades of experience in healthcare operations, regulatory compliance, and organizational leadership, she brings a rare blend of professional expertise and heartfelt commitment to every space she serves. Read more>>

Xiomara Mercado

Our story at DoPaNo Productions, LLC began with a powerful belief: that Latin music has a unique, transformative power to inspire growth, strengthen bonds, and uplift communities. Throughout my career in the music industry, I’ve worked closely with incredible talent, navigating everything from complex contract negotiations and financial planning to large-scale event coordination and promotional campaigns. Read more>>

Jayme Cornwell

Play It Again Sports Baltimore has been open since 1998. I started at this location when I was 16 years old. I worked there for 12 years and then bought the business from the previous owner in 2018. Read more>>

Tree Johnson

As the grandchild to sharecroppers my introduction to nature is as early as I can recall to walk. Whether it was my mother taking me to a garden as a child or my father walking me through sugar cane. Nature showed me life and reminded me how important it is to water myself. I am an urban planner by trade preparing to study architecture. Read more>>

Sam Lukowski

Not really sure how to even answer this one – but I appreciate the opportunity all the same. The truth is I’ve worked in ShowBiz since I was 6 years old. 30 odd years later – I still love performing. It’s everything to me. But I have no money and no Industry connections – and now with A.I. Read more>>

Laverne Bailey

In 2013, a vision began to take shape, rooted in a deep passion for helping others. While pursuing a graduate degree at Bowie State University, I recognized a critical gap in support for individuals and businesses navigating complex challenges. This realization sparked the inception of The Bailey Consulting Group. Read more>>

Jillian Parente

Healing is possible,’ is a mantra I composed when I initiated my profession as a Clinical Social Worker. Along this path, over the last 12 years, this affirmation has become more impactful; and, I have accumulated many additional roles, professionally and personally. Read more>>

Ember Fae

I’ve been a witch since I was 13. Talking to the ocean, the trees, the earth, definitely talking to animals. I went to vet school at 21 and kept my magic practice alive, mostly hidden in my bedroom because that felt safer than explaining it to anyone and I didn’t really feel like there was anyone I could connect to with the practice. Read more>>