Dior Ashley Brown
Dior Ashley Brown, a dynamic force with a mission, is a multifaceted leader deeply entrenched in the creative tapestry of the DC music scene. A true “Hip-Hop Polymath,” Dior is renowned as a community builder, humanitarian, activist, entrepreneur, and musician. Her influence extends far beyond the boundaries of the nation’s capital, making her a respected figure in the DC creative scene and beyond.
A proud alumna of the Duke Ellington School of the Arts, Dior’s journey in the arts began early, shaping her into the versatile and empowering leader she is today. Armed with a bachelor’s degree in Theatre Arts from the University of Maryland, she has become a beacon of change and inspiration.
Dior’s musical prowess is a testament to her authenticity and creativity. Rooted in a family of creatives and inspired by iconic figures such as Queen Latifah and Lauryn Hill, Dior crafts music that resonates deeply with listeners. Her latest single, “Vernacular,” stands as a powerful call-to-action, urging individuals to use language as a force for good and promoting self-worth. Through her music, Dior challenges stereotypes, transforms negative narratives, and inspires confidence and soul.
Beyond her musical endeavors, Dior is the visionary founder of the DC Music Summit, a premier music conference and exchange hub. This initiative brings together industry leaders, artists, influencers, and high-profile brand sponsors, fostering creative solutions in the music industry. Dior’s passion for positive change and her belief in the power of diversity drive her efforts to empower all people, especially Black women and girls. Her mission is to break down barriers, spark movements, and illuminate the profound understanding that diversity brings to the human experience.
Learn more about Dior via instagram @diorashleybrown and at her website diorashleybrown.com
Learn more about the DC Music Summit 501(c)(3) nonprofit and conference @dcmusicsummit via instagram and website dcmusicsummit.org
Stacey Williams
Stacey Williams is the proprietress of Jazz Cat Herder, LLC (JCH). Jazz Cat Herder’s primary focus is on artists/arts organization management and the ongoing development of financial literacy and business acumen in new and established talent. Jazz Cat Herder has taken the lead in introducing the business side of the entertainment industry to middle- and high-school aged artists and their parents, empowering them to make more educated, profitable, and career-sustaining business decisions.
Stacey currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Arts Administrators of Color (AAC); acts as the Washington Area Music Awards’ (WAMMIES) Historian and Brand Ambassador on behalf of the Musicianship, and is the Virginia Representative for the DMV Music Stakeholders, who work tirelessly to ensure area live music venues remain open and maintain a harmonious relationship within their communities, and that artists can have access to affordable housing, a living wage, and employment opportunities.
Her most notable clients have been Grammy-winner, Jazz Saxophonist David Sanchez; Marketing Opportunities in Business and Entertainment (MOBE); Capitol Hill Jazz Foundation, and Music Educator/Executive Director of the Jazz Arts Institute, Davey Yarborough.
Stacey was also instrumental in the start-up and business development of the $2.5M Festivals DC and its flagship project the $1.5M week-long Duke Ellington Jazz Festival (re-branded as the DC Jazz Festival).
Stacey’s other clients included the Tiger Woods Foundation/AT&T National Golf Tournament; the Bill Picket Invitational Rodeo (BPIR); First Star; the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies; Smithsonian Folklife Festival; National Geographic Society; Amnesty International, and the US Postal Service.
Follow her: on twitter: @jazzcatherder; Instagram: #jazzcatherder; LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/staceywilliams/ ; Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tonedeafe/ or email: jazzcatherder@gmail.com
www.jazzcatherder.com
