Spark Summit

Keynote Speakers

“Writing Accessibility and Inclusiveness for Diverse Audiences”

Keynote
Center for Fine & Performing Arts Theatre
9 a.m.
We like to think that our messages, stories, and information reach everyone equally, but the way we write and speak might be limiting our audience. In this keynote, you will learn strategies and best practices for writing accessibly for a wide variety of audiences, including people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, English language learners, and those with limited access to education. You will leave equipped with tools and resources for communicating in a way that guarantees you will be understood.

Becca Monteleone, PhD
Assistant Professor, Disability Services Program
University of Toledo
Becca Monteleone is an assistant professor of disability studies at the University of Toledo and the co-founder of the Plain Truth Project, a collaboration between scholars, journalists, and self-advocates with intellectual disabilities aimed at making news media more accessible. Her work focuses on how we create and share knowledge about disability. She has earned recognition as a Fulbright Scholar, a National Science Foundation trainee, and a Mirzayan Science and Technology Policy fellow. She is the co-editor of Disability and Social Justice in Kenya (University of Michigan Press, 2022) and the author of the forthcoming book The Double Bind of Disability: How Medical Technology Shapes Bodily Authority (University of Minnesota Press, 2025).

“The Trail Fire of 1961: A Documentary and Panel Discussion”

Keynote
Center for Fine & Performing Arts Theatre
Noon
See a screening of the 2024 documentary which documents Toledo’s deadly gasoline tanker explosion. The film will be followed by a panel discussion which will include the creators of the picture.

Check out a trailer for the documentary here!

Panelists:
Executive Producer, Joe Walter
Producer, Steve Hanson
Producer, Sandra McLendon
Writer & Director, Phillip Kaplan
Producer & Editor, Ryan Lynch
Audio Mixing, Mark Reiter

Vendors & Networking

Vendors in the CFPA Rotunda
10 a.m.–3:15 p.m.
Come and discuss transfer opportunities with the four-year colleges and local industries! Check back as our vendor list will continually be updated until the big event.

Networking Simulation Room

Center for Fine and Performing Arts, room 111
1:15–3 p.m.
Get feedback on your resumé and/or portfolio and practice interviewing skills with professionals!
Registration is required.

Sessions

internships and job skills

Planning for your Internship with Denise Grupp-Verbon
Time TBA
Are you planning an internship in the next semester or two? If yes, this orientation is for you. You will learn the basics of completing your internship paperwork as well as all about the resources available to you.

Preparation for a Successful Internship with Samuel Chang, Logan Sander and Ruth Chang
11 a.m.
Description coming.

Artificial intelligence and user experience

Skills & Careers in User Experience with Keith Instone
Time TBA
Being able to define, design, and deliver good experiences for people using technology is crucial in the digital age. In this session, you will learn about the science of experiences, design activities, management challenges, and career paths in UX. You can apply this UX framework to a variety of creative professions, such as interaction designer, user researcher, information architect, digital marketer, and digital media producer.

The Secret Sauce to Marketing Automation with Lance Price Jr.
Time TBA
This session will introduce the concept of marketing automation and why it can be valuable. Learn more about how your data can drive downstream automations, that will directly impact your business.  We will also uncover common challenges with leveraging automations & how to position yourself for success!

Using AI to Start a Business with LeSean Shaw
11 a.m.
Turn your business idea into reality with the power of AI! This workshop will explore how AI can simplify and accelerate the startup process, from generating ideas and writing business plans to designing logos, marketing, and financial planning. Perfect for aspiring entrepreneurs, you’ll leave with actionable strategies and tools to launch your dream business with confidence.

The AI Revolution in Marketing: Creativity Meets Data with Sandhya Simhan
Time TBA
Discover how artificial intelligence is transforming the world of marketing. This session will explore the latest AI tools, techniques, and trends that are reshaping how brands connect with audiences. From personalized ad campaigns to AI-driven creative tools, learn how marketing professionals are leveraging AI to work smarter, not harder, in a rapidly evolving digital landscape. Whether you’re a budding creative or an aspiring marketer, this workshop will spark ideas for integrating AI into your career path.

Brand Marketing 101 and the Impact of AI on Branding with Louise Morgan
1:15 p.m.
Learn about brand marketing across retail and tech industries as well as how AI is transforming marketing practices.

communication

Journalism/Writing for a Non-Profit with Samuel Chang, Logan Sander and Ruth Chang
10 a.m.
Description coming.

Here I am, Communicating with Denise Grupp-Verbon and Kimberly Minke
2:15 p.m.
Do you sometimes find yourself um, er, uh, stuck, tongue-tied, or uncomfortable communicating with your supervisor or manager – even to the point of avoidance? Step into our workshop to learn some practical and helpful tips and tricks to improve your professional communication skills. You can do it – and we’ll make it “pain-free”!

Decode Your Doubt: A Creative’s Guide to Confidence with Valerie Thompson
Time TBA
Do you second-guess your creative work? Are you hesitant to share your ideas or meet new people? Have you ever felt out of place or unsure of your ability to achieve success? This interactive session is designed for students and professionals who feel held back by self-doubt or “imposter syndrome”. Through engaging activities, you’ll explore your strengths, build confidence, and learn how to embrace your unique perspective. Perfect for creators who are ready to grow, this session will help you silence self-doubt and take the next step in your creative career with confidence.

Growing Communities through Collaboration with Chris Eischen
Time TBA
Description coming.

Cultivating Community through Events with Olamide Awofeso
Time TBA
Looking for new ways to engage your brand audience? Events continue to be a must-have for marketers and advertisers whether conferences, experiential pop-ups, retreats or more. We’ll dive into the essence of what makes an event and its design a must-have for a brand’s marketing strategy.

ART

Sessions TBA

BROADCAST MEDIA

Surviving Your Career (…and don’t start a podcast!) with Eric Chase
10 a.m.
Eric, a local media personality (old way saying Influencer!) for Cumulus Media, will share how in a distressed and challenging industry, he’s managed to stay engaged and employed in the only career he’s ever known, which began when he was 18 years old. He’ll also explain the only two circumstances in which you should start a podcast!

Creating Video Content with Purpose with Nathan Hursh
11 a.m.
Video production has many steps. This workshop explores how to be purposeful in using state-of-the-art equipment and production techniques to create content that is both entertaining and informative to viewers.

Working in Hollywood: what you need to know–and what almost all social media “filmmakers” get wrong with Nick Corbin
Time TBA
What we’ll discuss:

• What “editor” actually means in Hollywood
• The real “industry standard” editing programs and workflows
• Why “talent” is always a distant 2nd to charisma
• How to become (somewhat) irreplaceable
• Why having grown up in the Midwest is a much bigger advantage than you think

Graphic Design & animation

Designing the Creativerse: Creativity Without Limits with Melanie Dunn
10 a.m.
Graphic design is more than a skill—it’s a way of thinking, solving problems, and creating impact. Melanie will share how her foundation in design allowed her to thrive in diverse industries, and how versatile design skills empower you to adapt and succeed in any field. If you’re ready to see how design can be your key to endless possibilities, this session is for you.

Animation with Taso Mastorakis
Time TBA
Description to follow.

MUSIC & Music Business

Playing for Work with Bart Delaney
11 a.m.
Making a living as a performance musician.

PHOTOGRAPHY

De-Mystifying Light with Eric Eggly
Time TBA
Take your lighting to new heights with a more in-depth understanding of how light can be manipulated to create truly inspiring imagery.

THEATRE

The Writers’ Room: Devising New Work with Desire Taylor
Time TBA
Desire will discuss the writing process. There will be some fun quick-writing exercises for participants to come up with new ideas for them to expand on their own.

Session Presenters

Olamide “Ola” Awofeso, Marketing & Events Professional
Olamide “Ola” Awofeso is an events and marketing professional with 7+ years of experience ranging from various industries such as consumer goods, technology and finance. This includes managing events at Bloomberg for their financial services and technology division. She also managed marketing campaigns and B2B initiatives at DoorDash. Olamide has also guided domestic plus international projects for Walmart’s subscription-based offerings. She is a leader who is passionate about bringing audiences together through events and innovative marketing strategies. During her spare time, she volunteers with Girls Inc of NYC a nonprofit organization dedicated to the elevation of young girls and their educational & college journey. She also serves as a marketing and events advisor for small businesses and organizations especially those dedicated to underrepresented communities. She has partnered with WeWork and General Assembly for her events. She received her events & management certification from New York University and bachelor’s degree from The City College of New York.

Bart Delaney, Suman Entertainment Group
Bart Delaney began his musical career as a street musician in Mexico; with guitar on his shoulder and a pack on his back, Bart sang and played his way through the country and discovered his lifelong passion in Music. Since then, Bart has circled the world on land and sea as a professional bassist, and as a manager has hired musicians from all over the globe. He currently resides in Miami with his beautiful wife and son and is an active member of the South Florida music scene. As President of Suman Entertainment Group, Bart hires musicians from all over the globe for local land-based work and jobs on cruise ships.

Ruth Chang, Creative Director at Midstory
Ruth is the co-founder and creative director at Midstory. She has a B.A. in Architecture from Princeton University and a M.Arch from Harvard’s Graduate School of Design. Ruth previously worked as a designer at a Boston-based architecture and planning firm focused on community-centered and affordable housing solutions. She has diverse design work experience in cities such as Taipei, Shanghai and Paris. She dedicated her graduate thesis to the origin story of Toledo, uncovering the Great Black Swamp and its connection to the modern human condition. She currently sits on the board of the Toledo Design Collective.

Samuel Chang, President of Midstory
Samuel is the president and co-founder at Midstory. He received his undergraduate degree from the School of Public and International Affairs at Princeton University with a focus in cultural and education policy and also has a certificate in East Asian Studies. Before returning to Toledo in mid-2018 to start Midstory, Samuel worked in the nonprofit sector, managing educational tutoring programs in MA/CT correctional facilities and coordinating with university staff and faculty from universities such as Harvard, BU, Tufts and more on programming. His experience with the carceral state continues to guide his belief that every person deserves a chance at a quality education. Samuel’s love for storytelling, education and this region led him to drop his full-time job and devote his future to the Midwest. He currently sits on the board of the Toledo Alliance for the Performing Arts.

Eric Chase, Cumulus Media
Eric is the afternoon host on Q105, Toledo’s 90s and 2000s station, prior to that he initially moved to Toledo in 2013 to work at 92-5 KISS FM. He’s been in radio/media for 26 years and is originally from Philadelphia, with many stops between there and here in that time. Eric was an early adopter of mental health advocacy as he’s been sharing his journey with bipolar II since his diagnosis in 2006. When he’s not working, he can be found battling his dogs for the best spot on the couch!

Nick Corbin, Nick Corbin Productions
Nick Corbin is a father, filmmaker, photographer, English instructor, and writer from Toledo, Ohio. You can see his national work in People Magazine and on Netflix and Amazon Prime. Locally, Nick is also the official documentarian of The Glass City River Wall (the largest mural in the US right here in Toledo), and a both Unison Health and Toledo School for the Arts board member.

Melanie Dunn, 3.7 Designs
Melanie Dunn believes that graphic design is more than creating visuals—it’s about solving problems, telling stories, and building meaningful connections. Her passion lies in empowering others to see how creativity can unlock opportunities and drive impact. In her current role at 3.7 Designs, Melanie combines creativity with strategy to craft solutions that inspire and deliver results. Her experience spans corporate, nonprofit, agency, and freelance roles, highlighting the versatility of design across industries. A proud graduate of Owens Community College, Melanie knows firsthand how design can shape careers and open unexpected doors. She’s excited to share her journey and help students uncover their own paths in the dynamic world of design.

Eric Eggly, Advertising Photographer, Inventor/Entrepreneur and Lighting Dude
Creating a view of hyper-reality without the hype. Revealing milli-moments of wonder captured between dimensions. Exposing the what-if within the why-not. Eric Eggly is 30-plus years into a career he loves. Love clearly, magically, joyously, exquisitely, painfully, humorously and artfully always shows. Eric is provocative without the heavy hand of provocation. Eric is dramatic without the drama. Eric is a master photographer without the need to prove it. Organizations and companies, like GM, Ford, Chrysler, Audi, VW, Converse, University of Michigan, Honeywell, La-Z-Boy and the Detroit Red Wings, plus sponsors Chimera, Elinchrom, Nanlite, Sekonic and X-rite, recognize Eric’s extraordinary talents. Over 100 awards in Advertising Photography and Lighting Products. 8 patent/patent pending in products within the photo/film world.

Chris Eischen, Director of the Toledo Tech Loft
Chris’s journey is one of resilience, passion, and purpose. From an early age, wrestling and theater shaped his character, and his love for storytelling blossomed on stage. His passion for aviation took flight during high school while working at a local airport, inspired by family travels to Italy. After becoming a father at 21, Chris dedicated himself to providing for his family, spending a decade in the printing trade. In 2008, he joined General Motors, but personal challenges, including a divorce, inspired him to seek new opportunities. Encouraged by a mentor, Chris launched a podcast, reaching 120 countries and 20,000 downloads per episode in just 90 days. This success led him into digital marketing and entrepreneurship, generating nearly $300,000 through his Podcast Mastermind. Chris later ventured into crowdfunding, helping raise over $13 million for a project, and collaborated with Fortune 50 companies. Returning to Toledo, he contributed to tech initiatives like “Erie Hack” and launched an apparel business. Recognizing the need for a local tech community hub, Chris co-founded the Toledo Tech Loft, a collaborative space for innovation. His journey reflects a commitment to growth, community, and making a meaningful impact.

Denise Grupp-Verbon, School of Liberal Arts Internship Manager – Owens Community College
Denise Grupp-Verbon is the Internship Manager for the School of Liberal Arts. She has placed over 200 students in internship experiences. She is a working harpist and has published dozens of arrangements, compositions, and instructional books for the harp. She performs and records with her husband Michael in a harp and acoustic guitar duo called TAPESTRY.

Steve Hanson, Founder & CEO of Hanson Inc.
Steve Hanson is the Founder and CEO of Hanson Inc., an integrated marketing agency based in Toledo, Columbus, and Cincinnati, Ohio. An accomplished veteran of the advertising industry, he began his career as a photojournalist. While working for a regional newspaper, Hanson took on additional freelance work that was published by UPI, AP, Time, Newsweek, and Sports Illustrated. Hanson segued into advertising and sales promotion as a producer for film, video, and multimedia presentations before becoming a founding partner at Packo, Mitchell, Hanson, & Comer. In 1991, he founded Hanson Productions Inc., specializing in film and video production, which evolved into Hanson Inc., a digital agency. In 2009, he secured the film rights and co-produced The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran. The movie opened to 90+ cities in 2014 and is still streaming today. Hanson supports the local community by sitting on the board of directors of several businesses and contributes resources and professional services to Bowling Green State University, Toledo Fire & Rescue Foundation, The V Project, and numerous other organizations. Hanson graduated from Bowling Green State University with a Bachelor of Science in Photojournalism and Visual Communications.

Nathan Hursh, Senior Producer – WGTE Public Media
Nathan Hursh has lived in Northwest Ohio all of his life. In 2015, he began his video production career at WBGU-PBS in Bowling Green. He then worked in corporate video working for Crown Equipment Corporation producing training and marketing videos. In 2018, he moved to Toledo to work for WGTE Public Media. During his time at WGTE, he has produced various TV programs and documentaries. Nathan has been nominated for an EMMY for A Soldier’s Story: Never Forgotten. He has also won various Telly Awards for programs such as Lakeside Chautauqua: An American Treasure, and others.

Phillip L. Kaplan – Multimedia Feature/News Production at The Blade
Phillip L. Kaplan is a multimedia storyteller and photographer for the Toledo Blade and a visual storytelling instructor at Owens Community College. Focusing on human interest and short form documentaries, his work covers wide-ranging subject matter from history to sports to travel and more. With two decades experience, he is proud to have found a meaningful career that uses both his MSJ from Northwestern University and BFA from The Ohio State University. “Photojournalism is one the last professions of what might be called the blue-collar arts. Part technical vocation, part rhythmic interpretive aesthetics, part civic duty; it is the work of being entrusted to let the world tell you how it is, so that you may faithfully tell someone else what it told you.”

Keith Instone, Consultant – Dexterity User Experience
Keith Instone is a user experience consultant, who helps startups, large enterprises, and economic development organizations create value through good experiences. He is also an ecosystem builder for tech and creative communities in the Toledo region and across Ohio. His career spans academia (human-computer interaction research at BGSU), consulting (often with local design agencies), and in-house UX leadership (at IBM).

Linda Lucas, Toledo Public Library
Linda Lucas understands small business having owned several businesses, including a daycare in Maryland, and counseled 300+ small business owners as Director of the Delaware Small Business Development Center. She ran a successful coaching company in Ohio for 20 years and now helps people start businesses and grow their businesses at the Toledo Library. She holds an MBA from Augusta State University and was captain of their first NCAA Women’s Cross Country Team. Linda was named Maumee Hometown Hero in 2014 and received the YWCA Milestone Award in 2005.

Ryan Lynch, Owner of RL Creative Video Productions
Ryan Lynch is a multi-award-winning Video Director known for crafting compelling visual stories. With 20 years of experience, he holds a B.F.A. in Digital Media Production from The Illinois Institute of Art – Chicago and an A.A.S. in Information Technology and Multimedia Design from Vincennes University. Ryan launched his career producing television for Chicagoland TV and traveling the U.S. with Chicago’s largest production company. His passion for impactful storytelling led him into ministry, where he spent several years producing short films on urgent humanitarian issues, including the AIDS epidemic, human trafficking, poverty, malnutrition, and the lack of education in developing countries. As a Commercial Director, Ryan has experience spanning multiple genres, including commercials, corporate films, and documentaries. He owns and operates RL Creative (rlcreative.tv), a full-service video production company partnering with advertising agencies and businesses to produce powerful TV commercials and brand videos. His expertise and passion for storytelling drive innovative, emotionally resonant content that leaves a lasting impact on audiences.

Taso Mastorakis, Senior Motion Graphics Designer – CBS Sports, Freelance Motion Graphics Designer
Senior designer and animator with over 20 years experience in design and animation from 2D character to motion graphics and 3D modeling, animation and compositing. Entrepreneur and co-founder of batterypop.com. Experience in executing design and animation in high-pressure environments for large-scale events including the Super Bowl, Final Four, and PGA Tournament. Highly proficient in Adobe Creative Suite.

Angie McGinnis, Manager of Career & Transfer Services at Owens Community College
Angie McGinnis is currently the Manager of Career & Transfer Services at Owens Community College. Angie is a Certified Career Services Provider and has been working at Owens since 2001. Angie has experience in career services, academic advising, College Credit Plus, event planning, supervision, hiring, training, orientation, and admissions. Angie has a Master of Arts degree in College Student Personnel from Bowling Green State University and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and Spanish from Hiram College.

Kimberly Minke, Professor of Social & Behavioral Science – Owens Community College
Kimberly Minke has been a Psychology professor at Owens Community College for over two decades, and her favorite part of the job is teaching and learning right alongside her students, savoring those moments of discovery when someone says, “I never thought about that before!” Kimberly has taught classes in psychology, sociology, college success, and career development, and has facilitated many workshops on leadership and related topics. She completed and served as Director of the Owens Leadership Academy, a leadership development program for full-time employees of the College; and she is also a graduate and past board member of Leadership Toledo, a wonderful local non-profit that focuses on self-development and community service for youth and adults. She loves spending time with her husband, family, and friends, traveling, volunteering, and watching sunsets. Her favorite color is blue.

Louise Morgan – Integrated Marketing Lead at Mozilla
Louise is a results-driven marketer specializing in impactful, audience-centric campaigns. At Mozilla, Louise spearheads integrated marketing efforts to drive user acquisition, engagement, and retention. With a proven track record at industry giants like Nike and Meta, Louise has led high-profile product launches, introduced innovative Instagram tools, and crafted marketing strategies rooted in data and insights.

Lori Owens – Career & Transfer Services at Owens Community College
Lori Owens has over 30 years of experience in education and student success. As an Advisor for Career and Transfer Services at Owens Community College, she supports students in their career and academic transitions. Lori served as a college composition professor from 1990–2019. She also mentored community college students to research the impact of intrusive student success coaching and helped Toledo-area adults earn their high school equivalency through Ohio’s Aspire Program. A career highlight was serving as a guest lecturer at Ningbo Polytechnic in Zhejiang province, China, in 2011. Outside of work, Lori enjoys geocaching and birding, which have taken her across the US and abroad.

Lance Price Jr. – Marketing Automation Product Owner & MS Dynamics SME
Lance Price Jr. is a native of Toledo. He’s a graduate of Rogers High School and the University of Toledo (’17). He currently works as a Marketing Automation Product Owner at Owens Corning and has been with the company for the past seven years. His focus today is leading global Dynamics CRM and Marketing Platform efforts. These help drive sales, marketing and corporate business initiatives. Outside of work, Lance enjoys photography and giving back to the community of Toledo. He is also a proud brother of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.  www.linkedin.com/in/lancepricejr/

Mark Reiter, Owner – Level 2 Audio
Throughout a professional career spanning more than 30 years, Mark Reiter has earned the distinction of being a go-to resource for sound design, audio production in commercials, and voice recording and mixing for corporate videos and documentary projects. For proof that his clients trust him with high-profile creative ventures, look no further than the shelves in his state-of-the-art Level 2 Audio studio. You’ll find evidence of broad-based peer recognition in the form of Silver Microphone, Communicator and Addy awards (including several Gold Awards), as well as a coveted National Silver Addy Award for sound design. Mark has produced high-impact audio and recorded vocal tracks for an impressive list of local and national groups. This list stands as a who’s who of civic, government, higher education, advertising and marketing, professional sports, the arts, and corporate organizations. Mark’s work has been a part of projects with Owens Corning, the LeBron James Family Foundation, Hercules Tires, Tuffy Muffler, Bowling Green State University, University of Toledo, NPR, Libbey Glass, The Toledo Zoo, Purdue University, and Owens Illinois. They, and others, have benefitted from the audio innovation, partnership, insight and creativity of Mark Reiter.

Logan Sander, Editorial Director at Midstory
Logan is the co-founder and editorial director at Midstory. She graduated from Princeton University with a degree in Comparative Literature and has a background working in journalism for both national and international news organizations. Her work has been published in various journals and newspapers including the New York Times, TIME, the Forward and the Toledo Free Press, and she has done translation work for newsrooms in Taipei, Taiwan. Her academic work has been featured at conferences in Princeton and UC Berkeley and has been published in UC Berkeley Comparative Literature Undergraduate Journal. She currently sits on the board of the Toledo History Museum.

LeSean Shaw, COO of Actual Reality Technologies and Vice President of Empowered AI
Life-long Toledoan LeSean Shaw, dedicated father, husband, and advocate for diversity, growth, and inclusivity, is a product of the transformative power of technology. Through a nonprofit tech company, founded in partnership with local Tom Bush, called EmpoweredAI, LeSean is hosting a series of events aimed at harnessing and nurturing local tech talent. The vision? To create a thriving tech ecosystem where innovation and collaboration flourish, making technology an integral pillar of Toledo’s economic and social landscape that is inclusive of all.

LeSean’s impact extends beyond Northwest Ohio, having taken his advocacy to state-level tech conferences, the US House of Representatives, and the US Senate in Washington, DC. There, he championed equitable access to technology, workforce, and economic development, promoting policies that bring federal and state resources back to Ohio, and especially to Toledo. Through Tech Night @Tolhouse, EmpoweredAI invites the community to join in this ongoing endeavor. This is not just a series of events; it’s a movement towards establishing a sustainable and inclusive tech economy in Toledo. Each gathering is an opportunity to learn, share, and a movement towards a future where technology serves as a cornerstone for Toledo.

Sandhya Simhan, Principal Product Marketing Manager – Glean
Sandhya Simhan is a seasoned marketing leader with over 13 years of experience driving go-to-market strategies for nonprofits, startups, and enterprises. She has held key roles at DeepLearning.AI, where she worked alongside Andrew Ng to advance the global #1 machine learning education resource, as well as at Intuit, Meta, and Workday. Currently, Sandhya is a product marketer at Glean and the Head of Go-To-Market Operations at Women Defining AI. With deep expertise in product marketing and operations, Sandhya specializes in leveraging generative AI to address real business challenges. She is passionate about demystifying AI for diverse audiences and empowering professionals to navigate the AI-driven future of work. Her work bridges the gap between cutting-edge technology and its human impact, making her a trusted voice on how generative AI is transforming industries, reshaping job roles, and redefining skills. Sandhya’s insights and experience position her as an advocate for integrating AI in practical, accessible ways to drive growth and innovation across organizations.

Desire Taylor, Lin-Manuel Miranda Fellow
Desire Lovey Mae Taylor (She/Her) is an Activist, Actor, Writer, Director, and Teaching Artist from Toledo, Ohio currently living in the DMV area. She holds a BFA in Acting from Howard University, an AA in Theater from Owens Community College, and has had the privilege of training at Oxford University with the British American Drama Academy, as well as with the National Theater Institute at the Eugene O’Neill Theater. She is currently working on writing her first musical and is now a Lin-Manuel Miranda Family Fellow! She loves writing stand-up and performing comedic sketches. She also loves to create and devise new work that is honest and holds space to tell the stories that need to be told specifically about African Americans and the LGBTQ+ community. Desire enjoys connecting to other souls this way with the hopes that her work is a catalyst that sparks needed conversations.

Valerie Thompson, Owner of Leap Graphics and President of American Advertising Federation-Toledo
Valerie Thompson is the owner of Leap Graphics, a graphic design firm. She is the current President of AAF (American Advertising Association) Toledo Chapter and the Mosaic (DEI) Co-Chair of the Ohio/Kentucky District. Valerie is a native Toledoan, an alumnae of the University of Toledo and a strong advocate for the arts and social justice. In addition to AAF Toledo, she also serves on the boards of the YWCA of Northwest Ohio and TASC (Treatment Accountability for Safer Communities). She is also a member of The Girl Friends, Incorporated – Toledo Chapter, a social organization for professional African American women. Valerie has a love for art, advocacy, public speaking, mentoring and business development.

Joe Walter, President of the Toledo Firefighters Museum
Joe retired from the Toledo Fire and Rescue Department in 2002 as Assistant Chief. He served as the Director of Public Safety for the City of Toledo (2003-2006) and Lucas County Emergency Manager Agency Director (2008-2012). He graduated from Owens with an Associate Degree in Fire Science and a B.S. in Fire Safety Engineering from the University of Cincinnati.