Summer 2021 Guest Speakers and Volunteers
During this summer’s session we had amazing guest speakers for our career readiness and the photography class. We want to highlight and thank each and every person who spent time with the Apprentices this summer. From teaching an artistic technique to helping write a resume, we appreciate you and for supporting the amazing young people who work at BYA!
Class Guest Speakers
Sydney J. Allen is a Baltimore native who uses photography to center black folk, community, and culture. She is one of many recreating a narrative of life in Baltimore City. Sydney spoke with apprentices and taught a photo skills lesson on lighting and provided feedback on their photography.
Latisha S. Christensen (Money Talks), LCSW-C, CCTP, BC-TMH, provides financial therapy and coaching and psychotherapy. She uses integrative approaches are used to assist clients in challenging problematic thoughts and behaviors. For clients with emotional, relational and behavioral issues centered around money, financial therapy is used to address and repair these conflicts. Latisha facilitated an interactive financial literacy and wellbeing workshop for apprentices during career readiness and how it is connected to youth.
Albert Phillips Jr. is the founder and CEO of Free Black Mind Educational Group LLC, a company that creates empowering and educational resources for Black youth. He specializes in urban education and youth development. Albert earned a Master of Science degree in Education from Johns Hopkins University and a Bachelor of Science degree in Journalism from Morgan State University. Albert resides in Baltimore. Albert spoke to apprentices about envisioning their futures and led a workshop on how to present themselves digitally.
College Panel Guest Speakers
Youth also participated in a college panel where they heard from local universities and colleges.
Maria Emilia Duno
Maria Emilia Duno is a writer, curator and educator based in Baltimore, MD studying in liberatory pedagogy and expanded notions of research that validate subjugated knowledge through play and exploration. In 2017, Maria Emilia co-founded The Menial Collection, a small arts library and collective research space in Baltimore, and continues to work producing exhibitions and programs in collaboration with their various community partners. The Menial Collection was developed through her MFA in Curatorial Practice which she completed at the Maryland Institute College of Art in May of 2019. Through her research, she has been awarded the Mary Ellen Hale Lovett Travel Fellowship (2017), the Mellon Curatorial Undergraduate Fellowship at the Museum of Fine Arts Houston (2015-2017), the Mellon Mays Undergraduate Research Fellowship (2017-Present), and was named a 2017–18 MICA Graduate Curatorial Fellow. Maria Emilia is currently an adjunct faculty member in the Art History department at the Maryland Institute College of Art
Christina Calamio is the Peabody Conservatory Admissions Coordinator and has been working in higher education for the past 15 years, and with Peabody Conservatory the past six years. She has a master of music degree in vocal performance from New England Conservatory. In Boston, she split her time between performing and higher education administration. Prior to her move to Baltimore, Christina worked as a free-lance singer in the Boston area. A mezzo soprano, she performed in the ensemble of Boston Lyric Opera, in addition to opera and oratorio solos with several smaller companies. Opera roles include Ruggiero in Alcina, Thisbe in La Cenerentola, Octavian in Der Rosenkavalier, Der Komponist in Ariadne auf Naxos, Mother Jeanne in Dialogue of the Carmelites and Rebecca Nurse in The Crucible. Christina’s oratorio experience includes solos in Dvoŕak’s Mass in D Minor, alto soloist in Bach’s B Minor Mass and Alto Soloist in Bach’s St. John’s Passion. Christina enjoys assisting families and prospective students in their search for a music or dance degree and hopes her own experience will encourage them in finding their own unique path.
Other panel speakers included Sheila Alvelo from Baltimore City Community College, Jonathan Howie from Community College of Baltimore County, Tavon McLaughlin-Steele from Morgan State University, and Calvin Wise from Johns Hopkins University.
Apprentices, Christina and Emilia during the Arts College portion of college panel day.
Career Readiness Volunteers
We also want to extend a thank you to those who volunteered during in the career readiness class. Volunteers supported youth with developing and editing their resumes as well as helped youth practice their interview skills during mock interview day. Thank you to our volunteers below and to Lacey Benton, Kirsten Craig, Michelle Scherch, Jen Masterson, Alexander Robinson, Amelia Gothreau-Newett, Jennifer Goold, and Revelie Niles.
Jeffrey Peterson:
Jeffrey Peterson is an Atlanta writer, teacher, and non-profit director. He’s published television and film reviews, taught English on the high school and collegiate level, and currently directs an independent percussion ensemble.
Sean Campbell:
Sean Campbell has 6 years of experience in marketing technology space, 8 years of experience in music (production and writing), and two years of experience in film production. He is originally from Baltimore and now lives in Los Angeles, CA.
Dharna Noor:
Dharna Noor is a writer and reporter at Gizmodo's climate change site, Earther, where she writes about environmental justice and climate change. Dharna grew up in Baltimore County and live in Charles Village.