Episodes

Meredith Collins is Co-Founder at Hookist.

Peppermint

Finalist, "RuPaul's Drag Race" (Season 9)

The hardest working woman in show business, drag queen and recording artist Peppermint has conquered the New York scene with her high-energy and engaging personality. She was a finalist on "RuPaul's Drag Race" (Season 9).

Terry Derkach

Co-Founder, Hookist

Terry Derkach's music production and writing credits include 3-time Grammy nominated, multi-platinum artist Brad Roberts (Crash Test Dummies), gospel vocalist Vernon Bush (Stevie Wonder, Nancy Wilson, Ray Charles), and Gary Lucas (Jeff Buckley).

Preview Performers

Dr. Laurén Laurino

Board-Certified Naturopath and Holistic Health Advocate at Dr. Ren Recommends

Medical

Dr. Laurén Laurino, lovingly known as "Dr. Ren, America's Holistic Sweetheart", is a board certified naturopath through the American Naturopathic Medical Association. She has appeared on "The Dr. Oz Show" multiple times.

Laurneá

Grammy Award Winner

Prior to her debut solo project in 1997, Laurneá was a member of three groups in the 1990s: Bobby McFarrin's a capella group Voicestra, British group Loose Ends, and later in the Grammy-winning group Arrested Development.

Yashi Brown

Poet and Mental Health Advocate

Literature

Yashi Brown is an author, poet, speaker, and active leader in the mental health community. Poetry became a safe space, when she began experiencing severe emotional challenges in her late teens.

½ Pint

Member, Son of Bazerk and No Self Control

Son of Bazerk and No Self Control is an American hip-hop group consisting of Son of Bazerk, Almighty Jahwel, and ½ Pint. The group was formed by Hank Shocklee, a member of the production team Bomb Squad.

March 27, 2017 Admiration

Duration: 01:00:00

Songs to Invoke Admiration

Episode 22

Curated by Shefik

In all likelihood, everyone possesses, in some manner, admiration for another person, object, or ideal. This universal truth connects us all. In fact, this notion of admiration aids to define the human spirit.

Guest Performers

Carl Clay

Founder and Executive Producer, Black Spectrum Theatre Company

Recognized and awarded as a multi-discipline force, Carl Clay has produced over 350 plays, trained over 2000 actors, and has written and directed 25 films aimed at urban youth. He has produced over 40 jazz concerts.

Gerald Alston

Grammy Award Winner and Lead Singer, The Manhattans

Gerald Alston is an American R&B singer, and the lead singer with The Manhattans. Between 1988 and 1995, he left the group to record five albums (later recording his tribute to Sam Cooke in 2008) and ten solo singles.

Tony Terry

Recording Artist and Actor

Tony Terry has numerous Billboard top hits within his repertoire from the late 1980s, early 1990s, and today, including his world-renowned hit, "With You". He is also an achieved actor and activist championing for social and family health issues.

Preview Performers

Charisse Arrington

Recording Artist and Brilliance Coach

Charisse Arrington is a R&B singer who was signed to MCA Records in the 1990s. Her biggest success was with the single "Down With This" which peaked in the top twenty of the Billboard Dance singles chart and top five of the Billboard Dance breakout chart.

Leaveil Degree

Member, The Whispers

Leaveil Degree is a member of The Whispers. The group scored 15 top-ten R&B singles, and eight top-ten R&B albums, with two of them, "The Whispers" and "Love Is Where You Find It", reaching the #1 spot. They have earned two platinum and five gold albums.

Duration: 01:00:00

Songs to Invoke Angels

Episode 21

Curated by Shefik

March 13, 2017 Angels

Angels can be born of whatever means satisfies the composition of your creed. Even from the enriched past of your own ancestry, angels are all around, if you make the effort and have the faith to search for them.

Guest Performers

Dan Vitale

Cast Member, "Saturday Night Live" (1985 - 1986)

Comedy

Dan Vitale is an actor and comedian, best known for being a cast member during season 11 of "Saturday Night Live" (first episode: November 23, 1985, final episode: February 8, 1986).

Dan Stokes

Member, Solo

Solo is a R&B musical group. The original members were Robert Anderson, Darnell Chavis, Eunique Mack, and Dan Stokes. The group recorded their gold-selling debut album in Minneapolis and released it in 1995, with production by Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis.

Darnell Chavis

Member, Solo

Marvin Jay

Logistics Data Analyst

Technology

Marvin Jay is a Logistics Data Analyst.

Robert Anderson

Member, Solo

Shanna Marie

Former CEO at Mind Yard New York

Photo Credit:

Business

Shanna Marie is a Spiritual Interfaith Minister, who inspires in her classes, workshops, and guest speaking appearances. Her passionate and purposeful work has been featured in Bronx Times, Marie Claire, Cosmopolitan, Yahoo, and Tech Insider.

Preview Performers

Gerald Alston

Grammy Award Winner and Lead Singer, The Manhattans

William Goldstein

3-Time Emmy Award Nominee and Grammy Award Nominee

William Goldstein was previously a recording artist for Motown Records and CBS Masterworks. He has over 50 albums currently available. He has also scored over 50 movie and television projects, including NBC's "Fame" and Disney's "The Miracle Worker".

Yashi Brown

Poet and Mental Health Advocate

Literature

Yashi Brown is an author, poet, speaker, and active leader in the mental health community. Poetry became a safe space, when she began experiencing severe emotional challenges in her late teens.

October 23, 2017 Breathing

Duration: 01:00:00

Songs to Invoke Birds

Episode 43

Curated by Shefik

July 4, 2022 Birds

Upcoming Episode

Duration: 01:00:00

Songs to Invoke Breathing

Episode 28

Curated by Shefik

Today is the day, and now is the moment, to make your big leap. So, breathe, and make it happen. Without breathing, no one can get very far. The simple motion of a diaphragm, as it pushes air in and out of your lungs, is nothing short of miraculous.

Guest Performers

Melba Moore

Tony Award Winner and 4-Time Grammy Award Nominee

Melba Moore is a prolific 5-octave singer and Broadway actress. In addition to a Tony Award and 4 Grammy Award nominations, her music relevance brought many other accolades. After a 5-decade career, she earned a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Neddy Smith

Recording Artist

Neddy Smith is a professional musician and CEO at NedGJean International. He composes and writes his music, not only in a traditional style, but also by incorporating his vast international experiences. This is apparent in each of his releases.

Satomi Hofmann

Actress, "The Phantom of the Opera" on Broadway

Satomi Hofmann is an actress, singer, musician, composer, and arranger living and working in the New York tri-state area. She is currently starring in "The Phantom of the Opera" on Broadway, with the role Wardrobe Mistress/Confidante.

Shanna Marie

Former CEO at Mind Yard New York

Photo Credit:

Business

Tali

Member, Blush and Member, T.O.D.

Mathew Knowles found phenomenal success grooming and managing the mega group Destiny's Child. He is now handing out mics to Blush, a harmonically blended hip-hop and R&B trio, and since 2013, they are using their mics to mix fiery rhymes and hooks.

Terry Derkach

Co-Founder, Hookist

Preview Performers

Janice Dempsey

Recording Artist and Multi-Platinum Songwriter

Janice Dempsey has appeared on countless albums as a featured and background vocalist, writer, arranger, and producer in various genres, including Stevie Wonder, Daryl Hall, Smokey Robinson, Mick Jagger, Chaka Khan, Melba Moore, Freddie Jackson, and SWV.

Duration: 01:00:00

Songs to Invoke Change

Episode 17

Curated by Shefik

December 5, 2016 Change

Few things about life are truly constant. But, there is one thing in particular, which is a constant in not just lives of most human beings, but across the entire life of humanity itself. And, that one thing is change.

Guest Performers

Melba Moore

Tony Award Winner and 4-Time Grammy Award Nominee

Siedah Garrett

2-Time Academy Award Nominee and Grammy Award Winner

Siedah Garrett has written songs and performed backing vocals for Michael Jackson, Madonna, Quincy Jones, Donna Summer, Jennifer Hudson, and Tevin Campbell, among others. Garrett has been nominated for two Academy Awards for Best Original Song.

Yashi Brown

Poet and Mental Health Advocate

Literature

Yashi Brown is an author, poet, speaker, and active leader in the mental health community. Poetry became a safe space, when she began experiencing severe emotional challenges in her late teens.

Preview Performers

Laurence Juber

2-Time Grammy Award Winner and Lead Guitarist, Paul McCartney & Wings (1978 - 1981)

Laurence Juber is often considered most famous for playing lead guitar in Paul McCartney & Wings from 1978 to 1981, with whom he won a Grammy Award. Juber has since had a distinguished career as a solo fingerstyle guitarist and studio musician.

Rickey "Slikk Muzik" Offord

Multi-Platinum Music Producer

Rickey "Slikk Muzik" Offord is multi-platinum producer, who has worked with recording artists, such as Babyface, Ariana Grande, Chris Brown, Kirk Franklin, Jaime Foxx, Master P, Tank, and Ludacris.

William Goldstein

3-Time Emmy Award Nominee and Grammy Award Nominee

December 19, 2016 Christmas

Duration: 01:00:00

Songs to Invoke Christmas

Episode 18

Curated by Shefik

Christmas is here. Be thankful. Be present. Give until it hurts. Love the season. Be that idea. You need not limit yourself to any single tradition, to the distinction of any particular religion, nor to the strictures of any outwardly imposed ideal.

Guest Performers

Janice Dempsey

Recording Artist and Multi-Platinum Songwriter

Laurence Juber

2-Time Grammy Award Winner and Lead Guitarist, Paul McCartney & Wings (1978 - 1981)

Neal Bennington

Founder and Creative Director at Broadway Sings for Pride

Neal Bennington founded Broadway Sings for Pride, in response to tragic suicides within the LGBTQ+ community. The live concert series has received support from Carol Channing, Neil Patrick Harris, Bernadette Peters, Channing Tatum, and many others.

Preview Performers

Carl Clay

Founder and Executive Producer, Black Spectrum Theatre Company

Charisse Arrington

Recording Artist and Brilliance Coach

Douglas Baldeo

Actor • Singer • Dancer

Twelve-year-old Douglas Baldeo was a principal cast member of the award-winning Broadway Musical, "Kinky Boots". Following his run in "Kinky Boots", he was cast as a vacation swing for "Motown the Musical" on tour.

Laurneá

Grammy Award Winner

Trisco Pearson

Member, Force M.D.'s

Force M.D.'s is an American R&B vocal group that was formed in 1981 in Staten Island, New York. Later, Trisco Pearson joined the group.

December 18, 2017 Christmas

Duration: 01:00:00

Songs to Invoke Christmas 2

Episode 30

Curated by Shefik

Once again, the leaves have changed, the weather has turned colder, and the season of celebration has arrived. Our current state of affairs shows us that individually living an ideal is only part of the story. There must be more.

Guest Performers

Jamie Jones

Leader Singer, All-4-One

All-4-One is a R&B and pop group, best known for their cover hit single "I Swear" from their self-titled debut album. The group comprises Jamie Jones, Delious, Alfred Nevarez, and Tony Borowiak. The group has sold 22 million records worldwide.

N.K. Morton

Recording Artist and Multi-Platinum Songwriter

N.K. Morton is a singer-songwriter. She wrote songs for Backstreet Boys, Mýa, and Karen Clark-Sheard, worked in television with Chris Rock, and was a featured lead or background vocalist for artists, ranging from Diana Ross to Rakim.

Sellah

Recording Artist

Sellah hails from a culturally diverse background. In 2017, he sang on a commercial for a major brand, which was broadcast during Super Bowl LI, as well as streamed online at YouTube, where it amassed over 17 million views.

Tony Borowiak

Member, All-4-One

Preview Performers

Alfred Nevarez

Member, All-4-One

Delious

Lead Singer, All-4-One

James Mtume

2-Time Grammy Award Winner and Percussionist, Mtume

James Mtume is a Grammy Award winning R&B musician, songwriter, activist, and radio personality. He came to prominence working with Miles Davis between 1971 and 1975. Mtume's group, also called Mtume, is best known for the 1983 R&B hit song "Juicy Fruit".

Quindon Tarver

Recording Artist

Quindon Tarver is an American singer. He is best known for his cover of Prince's "When Doves Cry" for the 1996 film "William Shakespeare's Romeo + Juliet", starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Danes in the leading roles of Romeo and Juliet.

Tawatha Agee

Lead Singer, Mtume

Tawatha Agee was the lead singer from the band Mtume, whose soulful lead voice that was featured on their hit "Juicy Fruit". She has recorded with artists, including Céline Dion, Aretha Franklin, Luther Vandross, Sting, David Bowie, Jewel, and R. Kelly.

Tony Terry

Recording Artist and Actor

Trisco Pearson

Member, Force M.D.'s

Force M.D.'s is an American R&B vocal group that was formed in 1981 in Staten Island, New York. Later, Trisco Pearson joined the group.

December 24, 2018 Christmas

Duration: 01:00:00

Songs to Invoke Christmas 3

Episode 38

Curated by Shefik

Here and now, the wonderment of Christmas is all around. From the temperament of the frosty air, to the sentiment of the warmly affair, all that matters is that we pause for a moment... to care.

Guest Performers

Kevin Smith Kirkwood

Actor, "Kinky Boots" on Broadway

Kevin Smith Kirkwood is an actor, known for "Condemned" (2015) and the 71st Annual Tony Awards (2017). He currently stars in the musical "Kinky Boots" on Broadway, and he was also an understudy in "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" on Broadway.

Preview Performers

Amelia Moore

Actress, Author, and Journalist

Amelia Moore (aka Ameliaismore) is an actress, author, and journalist. She has been A&R Assistant at Atlantic Records, Director of A&R at Gee Street, and General Manager at Ruff Ryders Records, leaving as President at Ruff Ryders Lifestyle.

Chuck McDermott

Recording Artist

Over the last 40 years, Chuck McDermott has left his musical mark on audiences on both coasts of the United States. Over the last few decades, he has devoted himself to energy and environmental policy issues, and working in government.

Freddie Jackson

2-Time Grammy Award Nominee

Freddie Jackson is an American soul singer. Among his well-known hits are "Rock Me Tonight (For Old Times Sake)", "Have You Ever Loved Somebody", "Jam Tonight", "Do Me Again", and "You Are My Lady".

J. Alexander Martin

Co-Founder and Executive Vice President, FUBU

Fashion

The acclaimed J. Alexander Martin has externalized many successful ventures in the fashion industry including the iconic clothing line FUBU — For Us By Us — serving as Co-Founder and Executive Vice President, as well as the President at FUBU TV.

Robert Kantor

Managing Partner, Robert Kantor Guitars and Recording Artist

Robert Kantor is a recording artist, who is best known as a creator of customized guitars (Robert Kantor Guitars), treasured by the likes of Eric Clapton, Lady Gaga, Richie Sambora, Santana, and Lenny Kravitz. In 2018, Kantor released his album "Truth".

Tony Terry

Recording Artist and Actor

December 23, 2019 Christmas

Duration: 01:00:00

Songs to Invoke Christmas 4

Episode 41

Curated by Shefik

Christmas is a wondrous time of year. The joy of celebrating with family and friends is always an endearing moment in life. So, take the time to cherish those who you recognize as being most dear.

Guest Performers

Tym Moss

Actor and Live Event Host

Tym Moss is one of today's most dynamic New York City entertainers. As a singer, actor, and songwriter for television, film, and theater, he performs live, and his music is available on all online outlets.

Preview Performers

Ana Luisa Johnson

Dancer, Photographer, and Poet

Dance

Ana Luisa Johnson began choreographing and performing her solo works at the age of thirteen, and became a professional dancer at 19. She has studied Ballet, Modern and Contemporary Dance, Jazz, Flamenco, Belly Dance, and Mexican Folkloric Dance.

Augostina Mallous

Miss New Jersey's Outstanding Teen 2017 (Miss America's Outstanding Teen)

Pageantry

Augostina Mallous was the reigning Miss New Jersey's Outstanding Teen 2017 through Miss New Jersey's Outstanding Teen Scholarship Program (Miss America's Outstanding Teen).

CR Capers

Founder, Hip Hop Film Festival and Founder, Harlem Film House

Film

CR Capers is the Founder and CEO of the award-winning Hip Hop Film Festival, named "Best of the Fests" for 2016. Her radio show and podcast, "Why You Mad Son?", has over three million listeners worldwide and boasts a legion of loyal fans.

Jenny Bruce

Recording Artist

As a pop-folk singer-songwriter, Jenny Bruce has won many awards. You've heard her songs on "Dawson's Creek", "Ghost Whisperer", "TODAY", "King of the Hill", "All My Children", "Jake 2.0", "Children's Hospital", and in several independent films.

N'Kenge

Actress, "Motown: The Musical" on Broadway

N'Kenge is an actress who originated the role of Mary Wells in "Motown: The Musical" on Broadway. This Broadway darling was recently seen on television, as a presenter at the 58th Annual New York Emmy Awards.

Robert Kantor

Managing Partner, Robert Kantor Guitars and Recording Artist

Tawatha Agee

Lead Singer, Mtume