The heart of our mission is to find the amazing souls that breathe life into our communities. In the recent weeks, we’ve had the privilege to connect with some incredible artists, creatives, entrepreneurs and rabble rousers and we can’t begin to express how impressed we are with the incredible group below. Check out our favorite stories from across the Voyage family.
Ciarrah Fittro
I fell in love with the beauty industry early on. Growing up in competitive cheer, I naturally became the go-to for prom hair, styling right out of my house. What started as a fun passion quickly became something I knew I wanted to turn into a career and choosing to do so was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. Read more>>
Carlene Levy
A little girl from Jamaica who moved to New York City with ambition and a vision bigger than her circumstances. I carried a deep desire to become a phenomenal woman who inspires others, and as I grew older, that determination matured into purpose. Read more>>
Grace Johnson-Wright
I started Neema Dance Collective from a very real place. I was teaching, raising my girls, and trying to create the kind of environment I wished existed when I was younger. Dance was always bigger than just choreography for me. It was structure, confidence, discipline, and community. In the beginning it was small, grassroots, and built off relationships. Read more>>
Chelsea Glover Jordan
My journey into this work was deeply personal and, in many ways, unexpected. I never initially envisioned myself as a mother, but in 2009 I was faced with that decision and chose to move forward with pregnancy. I believed I could navigate motherhood on my own, but I quickly learned how complex and overwhelming that transition could be. Read more>>
Cara Lesser
I identify as a social impact entrepreneur, and began my professional journey working in health care and health policy. I shifted into the world of education over a decade ago to focus on supporting the next generation to develop the creativity, agency and empathy to drive meaningful change in the world. Read more>>
Annie Holmes
FOUNDER. SCHOLAR. LIBERATOR. Annie P. E. Holmes, DPS (hon.) Before I was any of the titles that follow my name, I was a little girl in Newark, New Jersey, sitting in the pew of my family’s church, watching everything in my community. Watching how adults swallowed their pain in silence. Watching what happened when people were never given words for their own experience. Read more>>
Ertugrul Ertuc
I grew up in a small town in Erzincan, Türkiye, surrounded by country roads and quiet landscapes. Since I was a kid, I always enjoyed country drives and exploring new places. Looking back, that early curiosity about the road would later turn into a passion for road trips across the United States — something that became a meaningful part of my life years later. Read more>>
Allison Baynard
Our Why Allison Baynard, FNP-BC and Kevin Rosenthal, JD BSN RN are dedicated healthcare and human services professionals with decades of experience between us. Allison grew up in the community she serves for more than a decade as a family nurse practitioner–raised in Trappe; graduated from Salisbury University with her Masters of Science in Nursing in 2008. Read more>>
Peter Furey
I grew up in Easton, Maryland, and although I moved around for a time, I eventually found my way back home. There’s always been something about this community that feels like home to me. Read more>>
Jennifer McCrea
After moving to Easton, Jenn McCrea began her journey in the restaurant industry working the front counter at Fiddle Leaf Cafe—the same location that now houses The Ivy. Eager to immerse herself in the hospitality world, she simultaneously worked as a server at Morsels, quickly gaining hands-on experience in both the front-of-house and service sides of the business. Read more>>
Octavia Brown, LCSW-C
My journey into this work didn’t begin in a classroom, it began in my early life experiences. I was raised in environments shaped by instability, trauma, and deep emotional complexity. Early in life, I became highly attuned to people, to energy, to what was said and what wasn’t. That awareness, while born out of necessity, became the foundation of my gift. Read more>>
Cary Michael Robinson
My journey really started with a question I didn’t fully have the words for at the time: What does it mean to create something that actually changes people’s lives? I’ve always been drawn to art… not just as expression, but as impact. But, before fully stepping into that path, I began my academic journey studying engineering at Tuskegee University. Read more>>
Masada Roberson
From Hardship to Hope: How Deep Launching Was Born from One Woman’s Determination to Serve Long before Deep Launching, Inc. became a growing force of compassion and relief in Maryland, its founder carried a deep desire to serve those most in need. In her early twenties, she felt a strong pull to help people experiencing homelessness in Washington, D.C. Read more>>
Rashaad Franklin
Where do I begin? I was born on April 12, 1980, in New Orleans, Louisiana, to Dawn and Calvin Franklin—my loving parents, who are still married after 46 years. I spent my formative years there, attending school from elementary through college, where I earned a bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design and Commercial Arts. New Orleans wasn’t just where I lived—it was home. Read more>>
Shyanne Ricchiuto
I started Shy Beauty with a passion for helping people feel confident and beautiful in their own skin. It started when I was a young girl who loved all things beauty, to attending the career and technology academy in highschool for cosmetology, and then a small service based business that quickly grew from word of mouth and building genuine relationships with my clients. Read more>>
Olya Rich
I started my business during COVID in 2020 and expanded rapidly as the need for mental health services increased significantly. We are now a host site for graduate interns from Marymount University and Southern New Hampshire University and employ over 30 people Read more>>
Christina Kirby
My path into behavioral health has been shaped by both clinical experience and leadership roles across a variety of care settings. I have been working in the mental health field since 2015, gaining experience in crisis services, outpatient mental health treatment, residential and outpatient substance use treatment, psychological rehabilitation programs, and intensive outpatient care. Read more>>
Zach Woolever
I don’t have the classic physical therapist origin story of a major surgery or injury exposing me to the field at an early age. Instead, I found my path to this profession because it aligned perfectly with the values that I wanted out of a career. I knew what I wanted and more importantly, what I didn’t want. Read more>>
Gail Patterson
Gail Patterson Short Bio After graduating from Dartmouth College and Columbia College of Physicians & Surgeons, Gail Patterson had a long career as an MD/Anesthesiologist in both the academic and private sector. Her career included many opportunities for volunteer medical relief work in low-income countries, focusing on her particular interest in Haiti. Read more>>
Rachita Denise
Hi! I’m Rachita, I’m a woman of faith, a mother, an entrepreneur, an advocate, and a community builder who has spent my life turning purpose into action. My journey has been shaped by both professional success and deeply personal experiences that taught me resilience, compassion, and the power of community. Read more>>
Alexandria Cooper
I started teaching part-time music and movement classes for children under a local company. One morning while driving to class, praying and worshiping like I usually do, I felt the Lord speak to me and say, “.Why are you working under someone when you can do this yourself? Read more>>
Malkia Henson
My passion for real estate took root early in my youth. Growing up, I found myself captivated by the aesthetics of architecture and possessed a natural curiosity for the mechanics of real estate investment. This interest transitioned into a hands-on reality in my early twenties when I had the opportunity to take ownership of one of my childhood homes. Read more>>
Amber Peters
My journey started with a strong passion for science, community wellness, and environmental stewardship. I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Biology from Bowie State University and later completed my Master of Biotechnology and Project Management Certificate at University of Maryland, Baltimore County. Read more>>
Olesya Sokolova
Olesya: from the ashes — into art There are weddings you forget by morning. And there are weddings where the cake stops the room. Where guests pause mid-conversation, reach for their phones — and then put them down. Because some things are better felt than captured. That is what Olesya creates. Not desserts. Moments. Read more>>
Travis & Cara Loving
Cara & Travis Loving met in 2020 and fell in love on the spot. Travis proposed with a flash mob and they got married in Greece three years later. Having both owned their own companies prior to meeting, they dreamed of creating something together in this new chapter of their lives. That dream is MRE Mercantile Men’s Clothier! Read more>>
Mariyah from Coordinated Ever After Co.
I actually got started after accepting an offer from my high school to work in the office for a TA credit instead of assisting a teacher. At the time, I mainly did it because my parents wouldn’t allow me to have a half day like most other seniors, so I needed another option. Read more>>
Ruth Wang
Hi! My name is Ruth Wang & my husband, Brendan Morrison and I are the owners of Luna Cat Collective. I am a 1st generation Taiwanese American. It was very important for me to create a community space everyone could enjoy, while in the presence of adorable adoptable cats. Read more>>
Kanav Markan
I was born in Montgomery County, Maryland, and spent most of my childhood growing up in Anne Arundel County before later moving to Howard County. Growing up in Maryland and seeing the different communities across the state played a big role in shaping my interest in medicine and patient care. Read more>>
Brunhilda Enwe Eya
My name is Brunhilda Enwe Eya and I am a Cyber Security Consultant with the U.S. Federal Government and I am also an accomplished author originating from Cameroon, Central Africa. In 2011, I immigrated to the United States, bringing with me a diverse cultural background and a strong passion for narrative. Read more>>
Delante Perritt
Handyman DLP started from an idea between Delante, the owner, and his father to build a trusted father-and-son home service business. Although his father sadly passed shortly after, Delante stayed committed to bringing that vision to life. Read more>>
Kayon Graham
I was born and raised in Jamaica, where I grew up in a large and close-knit family – one brother, four sisters, and an extended family that has always been a strong part of my life. I moved to New Jersey as a teenager and eventually relocated to Maryland, where I live today. Read more>>
Lindsay Grymes
LG Movement is a Pilates and movement studio based in the DMV area focused on intelligent, high-level training for dancers, athletes, and adults. My goal in creating the studio was never to simply open another fitness space. I wanted to build an environment where people could feel challenged, understood, educated, and inspired all at once. Read more>>
Rae Tucker
From a young age, I always felt pulled toward helping the girls coming up behind me. I knew what it felt like to struggle through things alone, and if I figured out a path forward, I wanted to help make that path a little easier for someone else. Growing up, there was a strong emphasis on what a woman’s role was “supposed” to be. Read more>>
Jenn Zussman
My story really started about 13 years ago, when our family moved to the Kentlands in Gaithersburg. Our daughters were just 1 and 2 at the time, and we pretty quickly fell in love with the community. Over the next few years, I somehow became known as the “mayor” of the neighborhood. Read more>>
Allen Stallings
Honestly, I started Hive because the internet stopped making sense to me. Everything was scattered across a dozen different apps. A group chat lived in iMessage. The same group also lived in a Discord server. The events from that Discord got posted to Twitter. The tickets for those events were sold on Eventbrite. Read more>>
Scott Ruble
Welcome to the ACT Black Box Studio, in the heart of Downtown Hagerstown! This beautiful intimate space is the perfect venue to enjoy Live theatre, Comedy, Music, Las Vegas style impersonation shows, and so much more. We even have options for private parties. Read more>>
Sherray Gibson
Growing up as a dark-skinned Black girl, I experienced first-hand how limited beauty standards could shape the way you see yourself. Read more>>
Tien-Peng HO
I grew up in Taipei, Taiwan, which is the homeland of boba tea. In 2016, my family moved to the Annapolis area when my first son was just five years old, and a few years later, my second son Skyler was born during the very first week of the pandemic in 2020. Read more>>
Sushmitha Pidatala
Arjuna Design Studio was born during the pandemic while I was living in Houston. After nearly 15 years working in international development and women’s empowerment, including at the World Bank and the United Nations, I found myself wanting to build something more personal and creative. Read more>>
Blade Bonaduce
Blade & Burnish was started by Blade Bonaduce, whose interest in woodworking began early on when he first picked up a pyrography pen and started making small wooden signs. What began as a hobby quickly grew into a steady practice, as he spent years creating pieces for friends and family, gradually refining his technique and developing a strong sense for design and composition. Read more>>
Asata Fatoyinbo
My journey with music has always been a tug-of-war between a deep-seated calling and a powerful fear of being truly seen. For as long as I can remember, sound has pursued me. In middle school, I picked up the cello, which opened the door to years of orchestra intensives and musical theater. Read more>>
Carman Wilson
I am a very family-oriented person. After spending time away from home and family, I wanted to reconnect with each of them. To make that happen, I began planning activities we could share together. One of those activities was a voiceover class. At the time, I had no idea what voiceover really was, but it sounded fun. Read more>>
Norma chicas
I came to the usa from honduras in 1975 i was only 11 years went my mon got her gree card went back to are country and bring all 4 of us single mother so i started working in summer shool so i can help pay billand on weekens at soccer fill sale foof and friday after scool cook in the house so we can pay billsand then she open as small restaurand thats how we starter and the i open one and sold tha oneand my parner was a autobody man and i have the money and 2006 we starded a auto body shop he leaft me for a yunger lady and i stay with body shop and he said i was going to go down in2 weeks with out him that was 2019and now is 2026 end im still working Read more>>
Norm Gordon
I was an Associate Pastor at a larger suburban Presbyterian Church in Gaithersburg. I read about the rise of the religious ‘nones’ – those who claim the Christian faith but want nothing to do with organized religion – and began to bump into them in the community. Read more>>
Keri Topjian
The Market at Dover Station really started with the building itself. It’s an historic 1912 property that had been a staple in the community for decades, and we saw an opportunity to reimagine it in a way that felt both meaningful and relevant today. The goal wasn’t just to redevelop a space—it was to create something that could bring people together. Read more>>
