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Dr. Rama Montakhabi, also known professionally as Rama Joon or Dr. Rama Joon, is an Iranian-American SAG-AFTRA actress, artist, public speaker, philanthropist, and celebrity golfer. She is widely recognized for her compelling portrayal of Peaches, the bold and loyal girlfriend of K9, in Seasons 2 and 3 of the STARZ series BMF (Black Mafia Family). Her performance delivered a memorable presence that resonated strongly with audiences and contributed to the show’s cultural impact.
Born in the United States shortly after her family immigrated as refugees from Iran, Dr. Montakhabi was raised in Northern Virginia. She relocated to Los Angeles in 2018 to fully pursue her acting career following the passing of her parents her mother to cancer in 2017 and her father to a stroke in 2018. These experiences deepened her resilience and inspired therapeutic creative outlets, including painting.
Dr. Montakhabi holds an honorary Doctor of Philosophy in Humanities, awarded in recognition of her extensive community service. This distinction reflects her intellectual approach to her craft and public initiatives. Her philanthropic work centers on women’s empowerment, youth development, and mental health awareness. Through her nonprofit organization, Create O’Rama, she mentors high school students, helping them translate creative passions into sustainable careers. She also organizes women’s empowerment events, career days, and supports causes related to cancer research and stroke awareness.
In her expanding film and television career, Dr. Montakhabi has appeared in numerous independent features and series. She currently stars as Jade in the independent feature The Daughters of Dolemite, directed by veteran producer-director Foster V. Corder. In this high-octane, comedy-driven revival of the Rudy Ray Moore legacy, she portrays the gritty “muscle” of the Hardbody Crew, contributing to the franchise’s cultural resurgence. Advance preview screenings took place in March 2026 at LOOK Dine-In Cinemas in Glendale.
Beyond acting, Dr. Montakhabi has developed a strong reputation in golf, having taken up the sport approximately two and a half years ago. She has competed in more than 20 tournaments within two years and participates in celebrity golf events. She frequently incorporates her experiences on the course into public-speaking engagements that highlight resilience, discipline, and the pursuit of new passions at any stage of life.
Dr. Rama Montakhabi stands out as a multidimensional talent whose disciplined artistry, scholarly perspective, and commitment to service distinguish her in the entertainment industry. Through her screen work, advocacy, and personal endeavors, she continues to build a legacy defined by longevity, cultural impact, and meaningful empowerment.
Rosalee Mayeux is a distinguished comedian, actress, and former high-fashion model whose debut stand-up special, Rosalee Mayeux: Model Mom, is now streaming on Apple TV, YouTube, Amazon Prime Video, Google Play, and additional platforms. Produced by Comedy Dynamics, the special offers an unfiltered and incisive exploration of single motherhood, chronicling the challenges of raising two teenage boys amid dating, substance-related concerns, hormonal shifts, and the inherent absurdities of contemporary parenting. With her signature quick wit and Southern charm, Mayeux delivers sharp, relatable observations that have drawn favorable comparisons to Leanne Morgan. A longtime fixture on the national comedy circuit, she is receiving widespread acclaim as she transitions into television with this highly anticipated special.
Beyond the stage, Mayeux brings a wealth of perspective drawn from an unconventional life journey. Born in an adoption home in Shreveport, Louisiana, and raised on a rice farm, she initially pursued a successful career as a Ford model in New York and Paris. She appeared in more than 300 commercials and served as the face of major campaigns for brands including Maybelline and Clairol. Her screen acting credits include the role of Carla Parkett in the cult classic The Lawnmower Man opposite Pierce Brosnan, as well as notable appearances in Blast from the Past and They Came from Outer Space.
While serving as an artist-in-residence in Quentin Tarantino’s commercial directing division, Mayeux confronted a life-altering cancer diagnosis. She transformed this experience into stand-up comedy, where her personal storytelling examines themes of survival, parenting, and the complexities of modern romance. In addition to her special, she is preparing for the release of her new indie comedy film, Love at First Spite, which will premiere soon on Amazon Prime Video.
Aaron Smalls is a distinguished keynote speaker, host, emcee, and DJ, renowned for his expertise in audience engagement and the cultivation of authentic human connection. As the founder of Curiously Talented LLC and the creator of the trademarked program Charismatic Advantage®: The Art of Social Energy, he brings over two decades of professional experience to transforming live events into cohesive, high-energy experiences that foster lasting momentum and community.
Originally from the Virgin Islands and a graduate of the University of Central Florida, Aaron Smalls currently resides in New York City. His career commenced in 2005 at Nickelodeon Studios, where he developed a foundational ability to read audiences dynamically and maintain exceptional energy in demanding live settings. He has since served as a warm-up host and on-air talent for prominent network productions, including programs on ABC, FOX, Food Network, Hulu, and TBS. His portfolio encompasses collaborations with major brands such as Mercedes-Benz, T-Mobile, and the NFL, as well as artists including DJ Khaled, Pitbull, Journey, Bebe Rexha, and Ken Jeong. Aaron Smalls adeptly manages audiences ranging from intimate groups of 50 to stadium-scale gatherings exceeding 50,000, both domestically and internationally.
At the core of his work lies Charismatic Advantage®, a comprehensive framework that integrates public speaking, servant leadership, and positive relational energy. This methodology emphasizes the alignment of thoughts, words, and actions to build high-trust relationships, energize gatherings, and ensure messages resonate deeply with diverse audiences. It reframes charisma as a trainable skill set rather than an innate quality, equipping participants with practical tools to read the room in real time, adapt seamlessly, regulate internal energy, and convert strangers into unified, engaged communities. Aaron Smalls delivers this content through keynote addresses, workshops, and coaching sessions tailored for leaders, teams, and organizations seeking to enhance communication, presence, and cultural alignment in an increasingly digital environment.
His versatility as a hybrid performer combining hosting, DJing (in an open-format style spanning multiple genres), and speaking enables him to deliver experiences that are emotionally engaging, creatively vibrant, and purpose-driven. Clients and collaborators consistently highlight his unwavering commitment, often described as bringing 1000 percent effort to every endeavor, along with his capacity to sustain momentum throughout extended productions.
Marc Summers, the esteemed host of Nickelodeon’s Double Dare and Food Network’s Unwrapped, has endorsed Aaron Smalls for his exceptional ability to read crowds, infuse events with infectious energy, and transform passive audiences into active participants. This recognition underscores the distinctive value Aaron brings to platforms focused on authentic connection and community-building.
In professional contexts, Aaron Smalls represents an outstanding choice for events or programs emphasizing leadership development, audience transformation, and the enduring impact of social energy. His approach consistently aligns purpose with execution, ensuring that gatherings evolve into memorable, unified experiences that extend well beyond the stage.
Sydney Mikayla is a versatile American actress, voice-over artist, producer, and dancer. She is best known for her acclaimed portrayal of Trina Robinson on the ABC daytime drama General Hospital, which earned her two Daytime Emmy nominations for Outstanding Younger Performer in a Drama Series.
Her voice credits include lead roles as Robby Malto in Transformers: EarthSpark, Soleil Le Claire in Fright Krewe, and Wolf in Netflix’s Kipo and the Age of Wonderbeasts, along with appearances in Craig of the Creek, The Loud House, and We Bare Bears.
In live-action, Mikayla starred as a young Gabby Douglas in the Lifetime film The Gabby Douglas Story opposite Regina King, winning a Young Artist Award for Best Performance in a TV Movie. She also featured prominently in Nickelodeon’s School of Rock and guest-starred on series such as Fuller House, Criminal Minds, Community, Speechless, Parenthood, and Instant Mom.
Trained at the Amazing Grace Conservatory under Wendy Raquel Robinson and at the Debbie Allen Dance Academy, she excels in contemporary ballet, contemporary dance, tap, and hip-hop.
Mikayla stars in the lead role and serves as a producer of the psychological thriller Crybaby Bridge, set for digital release on March 26, 2026. The film follows a family’s relocation to the countryside with their bullied pregnant teenager, where a hidden secret from the past threatens their new beginning.
Jessica Leia is a professional musician, songwriter, multimedia artist, and piano instructor based in Concord, California. With more than two decades of experience in music education and composition, she has created hundreds of original songs that draw directly from personal experience, the lives of others, and the full spectrum of human emotion. Her work is characterized by authenticity, emotional depth, and a distinctive fusion of genres often described as “Rock-icana Pop,” incorporating elements of pop, blues, rock, and funk.
Born and raised in Concord, California, within a working-class household that emphasized resilience and quiet opportunity, Leia began songwriting in childhood. She has maintained a prolific output while simultaneously teaching piano and performing in a variety of settings, ranging from musical theatre accompaniment to open-mic hosting and lounge performances. Her recorded catalogue includes two early New Age piano albums, Baby Tears and Dissention, composed during her youth, as well as numerous contemporary releases available on platforms such as Bandcamp.
Leia is best known for her long-form video and music project, Me and My Song, which provides her compositions with a permanent home independent of traditional live-performance constraints. Launched after she deliberately stepped away from conventional touring models owing to challenges with band turnover, audience expectations, and the introduction of new material the series presents each song through a meticulously structured four-part arc: its origin story, a raw solo performance, behind-the-scenes studio recording, and a final produced version accompanied by a music video. This format invites audiences to witness the complete creative journey from conception to completion. Season 4 of the project is scheduled for release in June 2026.
Her artistic influences include songwriters Carole King and Don Henley, whose seamless integration of melody, rhythm, and lyric she particularly admires. Beyond music, Leia draws inspiration from the teachings of philosopher Alan Watts on self, reality, and consciousness. She remains deeply committed to health, self-inquiry, creative honesty, and causes that promote self-care, self-love, and personal responsibility. Through her work, she seeks to transform intangible experiences grief, joy, insight, and mystery into accessible, shared expressions that foster connection and reflection.
Jessica Leia maintains an active professional presence via her YouTube channel (Me and My Song), official website (meandmysong.com), and associated social media profiles, where audiences can access her episodes, music, and project updates. Her career exemplifies a sustained dedication to artistic integrity and process transparency in an evolving musical landscape.
Anastasia Washington is a versatile bi-racial actress, comedian, writer, and producer known for her compelling performances across horror, comedy, and anthology formats. She stars in multiple interconnected roles in the four-part horror-comedy anthology Grind, which serves as a narrative through line linking its stories and will make its world premiere at SXSW, with an additional selection at the Chattanooga Film Festival. The film explores themes of the gig economy, hustle culture, and the darker aspects of late-stage capitalism, alongside an ensemble cast that includes James Paxton (Twisters), Christopher Marquette (Barry), James Urbaniak (Oppenheimer), and Rob Huebel (Transparent).
As a dedicated advocate for BIPOC representation, Washington leverages her platform to dismantle stereotypes and barriers in the entertainment industry. Her work confronts challenging subjects including police brutality, eating disorders, and colorism through a distinctive blend of humor and empathy, fostering more accessible dialogues. She has been recognized as the female counterpart to W. Kamau Bell and Jordan Peele for her incisive social commentary delivered via genre storytelling.
Washington’s recent credits include the lead role of Anne in the award-winning horror short Gaslighter (2025), which screened at the Etheria Film Festival and garnered accolades at prominent horror festivals; the short MLM (2024), also featured at Etheria; and a leading performance in the horror-comedy feature DeadHead, which premiered at Dances with Films (2023). In addition to her on-screen achievements, she co-created and hosted the podcast Cereal Killer, appearing on its associated panel at San Diego Comic-Con in 2022.
Her commitment to both horror and comedy is evident in live performances at festivals such as the Burbank Comedy Festival, Broad Humor Festival, Albuquerque Funny Fiesta, Oakland Comedy Festival, and Jest Another Comedy Festival. Washington wrote, produced, and starred in the comedy-horror short Demon Juice, which screened at Midsummer Scream in Long Beach and the CineUnderground Festival in Busto Arsizio, Italy. She has also presented her one-woman show at the Curtis Theater in Brea, California.
Beyond performing, Washington actively builds community as the founder of a dedicated Horror Filmmakers network, offering monthly meetups and events, and as the host of the monthly series Comedy 4 Nice People, which cultivates inclusive spaces for artists and audiences alike. Through her multifaceted career, she continues to bridge genre entertainment with meaningful cultural impact.
Steven Seidenberg is a distinguished American artist, photographer, poet, and philosopher whose interdisciplinary practice seamlessly integrates visual documentation with rigorous philosophical and literary investigation. Having resided and worked in San Francisco for many years, he continues to draw profound inspiration from the city’s complex historical strata in his ongoing explorations of perception, place, memory, and the subtle residues of human presence within neglected or abandoned spaces.
An early defining moment in his development illuminated the profound affinity between photography and philosophical writing, establishing a practice in which the camera functions simultaneously as a documentary tool and a means of conceptual inquiry. Among his body of work, The Architecture of Silence most decisively secured his international recognition. This major publication documents the abandoned agricultural landscapes and the consequences of failed post-war land reform policies in southern Italy. The project was significantly shaped by his sustained collaboration with archaeologist Carolyn L. White, which has fundamentally altered his conceptualization of absence not as mere emptiness, but as a potent form of presence and a repository of historical materiality.
Seidenberg’s literary works have achieved notable resonance across linguistic borders, appearing in translations into Swedish, Italian, and Portuguese, each of which has underscored the universal applicability of his ideas. His most ambitious literary endeavor to date, Coda, published by Omnidawn in 2025, constitutes a sophisticated fusion of poetry, narrative, and philosophical reflection. Seidenberg personally narrated the audiobook edition, an undertaking that deepened his engagement with the text’s core concerns of language, desire, and thought. Widely regarded by critics as a witty, philosophically rich, and formally inventive masterpiece, Coda represents both a summit of his creative achievement and the opening of new trajectories in his practice.
In 2026, Seidenberg advances this line of inquiry with Kanazawa Vacancy, a series of haunting black-and-white photographs that record Japan’s empty houses and vacant lots in Kanazawa. This work extends and refines the concerns first articulated in earlier projects such as Pipevalve: Berlin and The Architecture of Silence. Concurrently, his major solo exhibition Home Truth: Image-Making in Absence opens at the Lilley Museum of Art in Reno, presenting a comprehensive synthesis of multiple bodies of work including images of migrant encampments in Rome and marking the culmination of his decades-long preoccupation with forgotten spaces marked by economic disruption, displacement, and demographic shift. These concurrent projects have yielded sharpened insights into the dynamics of attention and the construction of memory.
Reflecting on the breadth of his accomplishments major exhibitions across Japan, Italy, Germany, Mexico, and the United States; critically acclaimed publications; and significant international translations Seidenberg remains guided by a focused vision concerning the fundamental acts of seeing and knowing. Through his work, he seeks to convey a central insight to both readers and viewers: that absence is itself articulate, bearing eloquent witness to human experience, and that sustained, attentive perception discloses the quiet, enduring narratives embedded within both the physical environment and the domain of thought. His ongoing and forthcoming projects continue to articulate these intersections with clarity, intellectual precision, and poetic depth.
Bria Jones is a visionary digital content creator, entrepreneur, and storyteller whose multifaceted body of work exemplifies authenticity, emotional intelligence, and purposeful living. Raised in Texas and holding a bachelor’s degree in psychology with a minor in child development from the University of Arkansas, she draws upon this academic foundation to deliver insightful perspectives on identity, relationships, personal growth, and the transformative journey of motherhood.
After establishing a successful career in Corporate America spanning healthcare and marketing Bria, alongside her husband AJ, made the deliberate transition in 2021 to full-time entrepreneurship and content creation. This pivot allowed her to cultivate a thriving multi-platform presence defined by honesty, humor, and profound emotional depth. Across TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube, where she has cultivated a dedicated community approaching nearly one million followers, her content spans compelling personal vlogs, thoughtful explorations of relational dynamics, wellness practices, and practical guidance for aspiring creators. Her work empowers audiences to embrace vulnerability as a strength while navigating modern life with intention and resilience.
Central to her creative output is the acclaimed Because I Love You Podcast with Bria Jones, a weekly series that thoughtfully examines topics including financial literacy, friendships, mental wellness, life transitions, and the evolving experiences of womanhood. Through long-form conversations and strategic creator resources such as digital guides, business tools, and community events she has built a sustainable brand that supports both her audience and fellow creators. In March 2025, the arrival of her son Melo enriched her narrative with a powerful new chapter: her candid, nuanced portrayals of pregnancy, postpartum realities, and the identity shifts of early motherhood have resonated deeply, offering a balanced celebration of its beauty and complexity without idealization.
Beyond digital storytelling, Bria’s commitment to holistic wellness shines through her dedication to movement and self-care. She maintains an active practice in classical Pilates and weight lifting, enjoys tennis, and has embraced English equestrian riding as a pursuit that fosters balance, focus, and personal growth. Her lifestyle reflects a broader ethos of sustainability, environmental stewardship, and intentional living.
Equally significant is Bria’s philanthropic engagement, which underscores her work with genuine community impact. She actively supports single mothers, foster children, underserved families, and individuals experiencing homelessness, channeling her platform to amplify causes that promote equity and empathy. Her advocacy extends to environmental conversations around climate change and sustainability, demonstrating a consistent alignment between her personal values and public contributions.
Through every facet of her professional journey from corporate innovation to entrepreneurial storytelling, motherhood documentation, wellness advocacy, and community philanthropy Bria Jones stands as an inspiring model of grounded ambition and heartfelt connection. Her body of work continues to uplift, educate, and unite audiences worldwide, fostering conversations that celebrate growth, authenticity, and the richness of lived experience.
Lina Xie exemplifies visionary leadership that transcends borders and redefines possibility. Born in Wuxi, China, and now based in Washington, D.C., her transformative journey has shaped a distinctive framework for ambitionone grounded in precision, cultural reverence, and a profound commitment to lasting impact. As Data Forensics Manager at BDO USA, Dr. Xie brings her Doctor of Business Administration expertise to the demanding front lines of fraud detection, compliance strategy, and investigative analytics. In these high-stakes environments, she upholds the highest standards of trust, integrity, and accountability, advancing a more just and transparent world.
Beyond her professional domain, Dr. Xie is the founder of Heritage in Hands, an initiative inspired by her grandmother’s exquisite silk flower artistry. What originated as a cherished family tradition has blossomed into a global empowerment movement dedicated to cultural preservation, women’s skill development, and economic independence. Through this platform, she honours ancestral legacies while equipping new generations with tools for confidence, creativity, and collective upliftment.
A distinguished titleholder with NovaCosmo Worldwide Pageants including her crowning as Miss China NovaCosmo 2025 Dr. Xie has represented Washington, D.C., on international stages with grace and conviction. Her advocacy extends to bold creative expression through cosplay, where she embodies characters radiating strength, intelligence, and resilience. This pursuit not only serves as a form of artistic liberation but also mirrors the meticulous discipline of her forensic work, while amplifying visibility for women in STEM and the AAPI community. In an era that frequently imposes narrow narratives, Dr. Xie deliberately embraces the full spectrum of her identity intellectual rigor, cultural stewardship, public leadership, and creative innovation. Her multifaceted approach redefines modern leadership, illustrating what becomes possible when all dimensions of the self are honoured and integrated.
Through Heritage in Hands, her pageant platform, forthcoming initiatives extending into 2026 and beyond, and her inspiring personal example, Dr. Xie is architecting a meaningful cultural shift. She empowers young women, particularly within the AAPI community, to reject false binaries between intellect and artistry, and to pursue their complete potential with courage, authenticity, and unyielding conviction. Her story stands as a luminous testament to the power of holistic representation and enduring legacy.
Tiffany Rose Goodyear is the founder and CEO of Scentex, a specialised firm based in Englewood, Colorado, that pioneers the use of custom fragrance to create immersive, multi-sensory experiences for corporate events, weddings, and high-profile gatherings. With more than two decades of expertise in experiential design, she partners with event planners and Fortune 500 clients across major cities including New York, Chicago, Las Vegas, and Denver to integrate scent as a strategic element that deepens mood, memory, engagement, and brand connection particularly in today’s technology-driven environments.
Tiffany’s journey began in marketing consulting, where she designed the first scented artwork for Denver International Airport. She later founded Yours Truly Cupcake, a full-service dessert-catering company that has flourished in Denver for over twelve years. Building on her deep understanding of taste-and-smell experiences, she established Scentex around 2019 to address what she sees as a critical gap: the frequent omission of fragrance from event planning despite its unparalleled power to transform ordinary moments into unforgettable ones.
She holds dual Bachelor of Arts degrees in Philosophy and Political Science from St. Mary’s College of Maryland, along with a Master’s degree in Advertising Management from the University of Denver. This academic foundation informs her distinctive approach to sensory storytelling, which she shares through keynote presentations, workshops, and panels on topics such as designing events for all five senses and the history and impact of fragrance in rituals and celebrations.
Recognised as a thought leader in her field, Tiffany has been inducted into the Smart Women in Meetings Hall of Fame and featured in publications including Smart Meetings and Special Events magazine. She is an engaging speaker and educator who equips audiences with practical strategies for harnessing scent to foster genuine human connection.
For additional insights into her work, please visit tiffanyrosegoodyear.com or scent-ex.com.
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