A proud native Washingtonian, Anise Jenkins is a two-time graduate of Howard University (BA in political science and Masters in Business Administration) and currently resides in the Shaw neighborhood in the District of Columbia.



Jenkins is the executive director of Stand Up! for Democracy in DC (Free DC).  Since its inception, Stand Up! / Free DC was the only grassroots organization in the District of Columbia focused primarily on the pursuit of statehood.  Recognizing that only through being admitted to the Union as a state, will DC residents be able to rise above the ongoing oppression by members of Congress.  This year, Stand Up!  is celebrating two decades of agitating, educating, organizing and mobilizing for DC statehood. 



Anise is passionately committed to all forms of equal civil and human rights causes.  She was named one of the 50 most influential people in Washington, DC in 2013 by The Washington Informer, received a Trailblazer Award in 2005 from the National Congress of Black Women, is a 2002 recipient of a Human Rights Community Award from the United Nations Association of the National Capital Area and is a member of DC Area Phi Beta Kappa Association.



Follow Anise Jenkins on Twitter at @MsFreeDC and Stand Up! at @StandUp_Free DC.

NICOLE DRAKULICH

Artist / Graphic Designer, diagnosed with a rare genetic eye disease in 2008 is slowly loosing her eyesight but gaining her inner vision. She speaks about turning a negative into a positive with finding a new career path and appreciation for life through her spiritual journey. She is bringing an IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCE for ALL…

Travel through space and time in every class, inside immersive landscapes designed to elevate your soul and expand your consciousness using projected imagery and sound.

ORAYA offers a new paradigm of PILATES – YOGA – WELLNESS and proples this global movement toward a more connected and elevated human species.

Oraya’s mission is to create a heart centered movement through a global community that raises mind, body and soul awareness. Similar to Soul Cycle and Crossfit, Oraya’s Pilates and yoga classes will inspire beyond the physical, guiding participants toward an elevated fitness experience through curated teaching techniques and a unique, immersive environment combined with visuals and sound.

A big part will be giving back with a portion of proceeds flowing toward women’s education and the evolution toward a more balanced work force and, ultimately, world. Our goal is to boost the economy and expand female empowerment. This is the time for women to rise and come to the forefront.

Taking the mind body connection to a deeper level than other Pilates and yoga studios, we will offer meditation classes, inspiring lectures and workshops about spirituality, metaphysics, sacred geometry and healing modalities.

The wellness aspect will offer light medicine, Reiki, sound healing and detoxification.

Our organic bar offers snacks, juices, elixirs, tonics, coffee and teas.

We will also have a clothing line, skincare line, and yoga mats. A portion of all proceeds will benefit women’s education and women in the arts.

JIMI YAMAGISHI

As the current director of the SongNet.org, Jimi Yamagishi brings over four decades of life in this industry to the table, helping other songwriters make those crucial connections while actively playing the circuit to keep current.  A veteran session musician with a wide variety of genres in his pockets, his solo material features lyrical wit similar to Michael Franks, smooth James Taylor-esqe guitar lines, with a lil’ spritual sauce on the side. 

Having written over a thousand songs, he’s currently working on archiving them on Youtube, having already released several albums & CDs along the way.

Anthony Montes

Anthony Montes, is an award winning Actor, Director, Writer and Producer. Anthony has been part of the film and theater industry for over 40 years.

Anthony Montes has been teaching and coaching actors for 30 years. Anthony teaches his Acting Technique, the Montes Method Internationally and Domestically. Anthony has published 13 books of plays that are available on Amazon.

His Award Winning Feature Film, THE LAST NIGHT INN which he wrote and stars in as also available on Amazon. His 2nd Award Winning Feature, THE LAST TRAIN is currently looking for distribution. He has just finished a run of his uniquely original One-Man Show, OUTTA THE DARKNESS INTO THE LIGHT.

When Anthony was 27 he was tired of the struggle and tried to take his life by jumping in front of a train in NY. Once he hit the tracks, he knew that he couldn’t do that to his Mother and tried to jump out of the way, getting clipped by the train which fractured his arm.

He has taken that dark place in his life, and put it into his Writing & Acting to help others, to see that they are worth it.

“Musician’s singer” Cathy Segal-Garcia is a vocalist of “real music integrity” poignantly reports Critical Jazz reviewer.  Wherever she travels in the world, audiences and musicians are moved.

Segal-Garcia’s deep connection to rhythm and her earthy and organic voice bring a nakedness to her communication, a direct line in to one’s heart. Her repertoire includes original compositions and modern interpretations of standards and jazz musicians’ compositions.

 Critical Jazz says, “The vibeof artistic integrity coupled with honest emotion for a captivating experience.”  Don Heckman of the Los Angeles Times added, “Segal-Garcia’s most compelling quality is a warm, dark sound, luxurious enough to wrap a song in an envelope of lush timbres.” Segal-Garcia has been a tireless supporter and producer of the L.A. jazz scene for years.  Recognized for such by musicians,singers, jazz fans, students of jazz singing and organizations such as L.A.Jazz Scene, lajazz.com, CA Jazz Foundation, Jazzvocalalliance.com, Great American Songbook Preservation Society, CA Lawyers for the Arts, and named a“Jazz Living Legend” in L.A.

Recording and performing with jazz legends is part of her career heritage.  Guitarists Ted Greene, Joe Diorio, Larry Koonse, John Pisano. Pianists Ross Tompkins, Billy Childs, Otmaro Ruiz, Josh Nelson.  Drummer Peter Erskine & bassist Marc Johnson are on her recording “Song of The Heart”…Erskine says, “The freshest vocal project which I’ve ever been involved in, and it’s one of my favorite tapes of the past year…This recording deserves to be heard by as many people as possible.”  Marc Johnsonadds, “The choice of material is top notch — very interesting.  The duets were special, the interplay, dynamics, Cathy’s range and intonation are great!”

Her teaching is as well known as her singing, receiving accolades from her students who have had their voices and their lives changed. Her workshops for vocalists have been consistently produced since 1998,including such luminary guest clinicians as Mark Murphy, Cheryl Bentyne, Barbara Morrison, Rhiannon, Gretchen Parlato, Kate McGary, Nancy King,

Peter Eldridge, Meredith D’Ambrosio, Sachal Vasandani, and Rebecca Parris.

Cathy Segal-Garcia is known throughout the world for her performing and teaching, especially in Japan where she has toured every year for over 20 years, performing in jazz clubs and festivals throughout the country. She has 12 CDs to date, with another coming out in January 2019.