Born and raised in Baltimore, Devlon Waddell, D.E. Waddell or just.devlon is a storyteller, educator, author, and curator who, in these efforts, works toward nurturing the humanity of those who he engages.

The hope dealer can be found engaging audiences at universities, museums and conferences throughout the region in a captivating anecdotal experience.

As Co-founder of DewMore Baltimore or as creative consultant, Devlon has always been in the business of edifying others. His written works, including Syrup Sandwich: A Life of Measured Progression and Writers Alchemy (co-authored with Slangston Hughes), reflect his ability to tell deeply personal stories that inspire introspection and instigate change in both individuals and communities.

Devlon blends his skills in speaking, teaching, and writing to deliver impactful workshops, speeches, and seminars on social justice, resilience, and diversity. Alongside his creative pursuits, Devlon is also a founding member of Custodians Of What’s Possible (CoWP), a cohort of creative collaborators that work in literature, live performance, and the exploration of the Black experience. He also currently serves as the Executive Director of The Chicory Project.

Victor Rodgers (Slangston Hughes, Slick Vic Low) is a National Slam Champion and former Artistic Director of DewMore Baltimore. A celebrated poet, Victor has coached the world champion Baltimore City Youth Poetry Team and founded the seven-time champion Slammageddon Baltimore adult slam team.

His poetry collections, Slanguage Arts and Griot Glimpses, along with his forthcoming book God’s Favorite Breakdance Move, reflect his deep roots in Hip-Hop and his reverence for the pioneers of Black poetry like Langston Hughes, Amiri Baraka, and Gil Scott Heron. Slangston’s work bridges the legacy of the Harlem Renaissance and the Black Arts Movement with the rebellious spirit of Hip-Hop culture. Known for his revolutionary poetry, he has won numerous accolades, including the Baltimore Crown Awards “Poet of the Year” and the first-ever Word War grand slam champion title.

His contributions to the literary and performance worlds have also been published in Poets’ America and in his collaborative work Writers’ Alchemy with Devlon Waddell. In addition to his artistic accomplishments, Victor is the Lead of Learning and Community Engagement for The Chicory Project, where he continues to inspire and engage Baltimore’s creative community.

Kevin Johnson Jr. (SecondKoan, k.koan, k.johnson) is a Baltimore native and experimental storyteller dedicated to envisioning transcendent futures for marginalized communities. As Lead of Publication Design and Marketing Strategy for The Chicory Project, Kevin is involved in amplifying diverse voices through artistic expression and community engagement.

Currently, Kevin is developing an interactive thematic project titled ‘Futures [Not] Imagined, They [Will Not] See Us, Faces With[Out] Features, We [Do Not] Exist’, which explores the impact of AI on the perceptions and narratives surrounding marginalized groups, cultural erasure, and digital resurrection. One aspect of this project, ‘Existence Beyond Code’, will be on display at the Maryland Center for History and Culture starting in Dec. 2024.

In addition to his creative work, Kevin is the Director of Marketing Strategy at Peake ReLeaf, an independent cannabis company in Maryland, where he works in initiatives aimed at shaping the future of cannabis in the state. Additionally, along with his wife Jen, and their son Knox, they authored ‘Knox Roxs’ - a photo essay collection to increase visibility of black & brown kids in the autism and neurodiverse communities.

Through all of his endeavors, Kevin’s vision is to challenge conventional narratives and create space for marginalized communities to thrive in the surreal landscapes of here and beyond.