Theme: HOME

Home is what you make it, right? It's where we feel safe. From a tangible structure, to a state-of-mind, to the company you keep, we're going to explore all the avenues and experiences that make "home" mean different things to different people.

Join us on Wednesday, June 28th, in the Walter Armes Learning Center Auditorium at Whitehall-Yearling High School for an evening of enlightenment, challenge, and discovery.

Walter Armes Learning Center at Whitehall-Yearling High School
675 S. Yearling Road
Whitehall, Ohio, 43213
United States

Tim Dvorkin Trio

Tim was born in Russia and he started playing at restaurants, clubs & other venues at the age of 14. Before moving to the US, Tim played with “JAM,” a blues/rock band that performed around Russia and Europe. Tim moved to the US in 1997 & graduated from Berklee College of Music in 2002. While at Berklee, he received the “Best All Around Keyboardist” award in 2000 and played 200+ recording & film scoring sessions. Tim also has played 1000+ shows all over New England, New York, Florida, Ohio and Canada as a session player.

Blaise Balazire

Happy Man

Blaize Balazire is a new resident of the United States by way of the Democratic Republic of Congo in Africa. He is a member of the CRIS (Community Refugee & Immigration Services) Refugee Speakers Bureau.

Brigitte Christmon

The Bridge

All her life, Brigitte Christmon has been building bridges and helping people make connections, although she is academically trained. Her education is not in and of itself “Who she is.” Her natural talents include coaching, mentoring, training, and trouble shooting, and Brigitte believes these gifts make her what she is and that is a teacher/explainer at heart.

Carol Taylor

Relational Millionaire

Carol Taylor is the Program Supervisor for Coaching and Training at Franklin County Family and Children First Council located in Columbus, Ohio. She is an expert public speaker and educator who sees value in peoples' unique experiences, strengths and skills. Being an experienced facilitator, Carol is focused on utilizing work teams and community partners to develop sustainable solutions.

CJ Churchill

Adversity Advisor

CJ Churchill was born in Decatur, GA. He moved to Columbus with his parents in 2004. CJ received his real estate license in 2016. Prior to earning his realtor’s license, he studied Political Science and Art at The Ohio State University. A former student himself, Carlton understands and advocates for proper education.

Dr. Christine Corbett Moran

Gravitational Force Junkie

Dr. Christine Corbett Moran worked on the South Pole Telescope on-site at the South Pole in Antarctica from January through November, 2016, with the University of Chicago. She has now returned from sabbatical to Caltech as an NSF Astronomy and Astrophysics Postdoctoral Fellow (NSF AAPF) in the Theoretical AstroPhysics Including Relativity and Cosmology (TAPIR) group. Dr. Corbett Moran does research in computational astrophysics, high performance computing, and big data visualization. She is primarily interested in the gravitational force, which she considers the most beautiful and mysterious of all of nature's fundamental forces.

Eileah Ohning

Big City Minimalist

The oldest sibling of three adopted special needs sisters, Eileah Ohning grew up in Evansville, Indiana, below the poverty line. After moving to Columbus and earning a BFA from OSU, she built a successful career in commercial photography.

Ibrahima Sow

Advocate of the Indomitable Force

Ibrahima Sow is an immigrant from Senegal, West Africa. Coming to the United States at age 8, Ibrahima went through Columbus City Schools and became a first-generation college graduate from The Ohio State University. Being a local advocate for resource accessibility and opportunity for our refugee and immigrant neighbors, he became the first foreign born to make a general election during the Columbus City Council race in 2015. After the ultimate loss, he has remained active, presently leading the New Citizens Advocacy Coalition and engaged in awareness campaigns for neighbors to embrace our diversity through cultural dialogue in all neighborhoods.

Lachandra Baker

Purveyor of Passion and Purpose

As a self-proclaimed purveyor of passion and purpose, Lachandra Baker lives her life to the fullest. She has met challenge after challenge in her life with a perfectly balanced dose of heart and force. Professionally, she is a communications expert residing in Columbus, Ohio.

Richard Duarte Brown

Mixed Media Artist

As a mixed media painter, and a father, Richard Duarte Brown brings his heart to the table in order to comfort humanity. The city of Whitehall is where Duarte makes his home and he uses his art to cultivate the feeling of home for a younger generation.

Speak Williams

Travel Guide

Keith “Speak” Williams is a hip-hop artist, poet, and producer who travels the country inspiring people through his creativity and passion for service. Speak is a founding partner of Creative Control Fest which celebrates diversity in creative fields. His passion resides mostly in community development using creativity to transcend obstacles. It’s his “home.”