Rogelio Gazga ("Ro"), a graduate of Columbia College Chicago, has an extensive broadcast and production background spanning 30 years. His broad mix of expertise stems from hands-on experience working as an award-winning news photographer and editor with Telemundo and NBC News Departments and Creative Services Departments, as well as Network Television work on Univision shows. Rogelio is Co-Owner and Principal Creative of SPI-tv Media Group, a full-service video production agency he launched in 1994.
Ray Da Poet, originally from Chicago, discovered his passion for spoken word poetry at a young age. He's committed to empowering underserved youth through literary arts education. Ray's debut performance was at his 8th-grade graduation and sparked a lifelong dedication to writing and performing. He also became a teaching artist in the After School Matters Program and a Chicago Semi-Finalist Individual & Team artist in the Louder Than A Bomb competition. Ray became a professional Spoken Word Artist and a Literary Arts Educator, equipping students with the tools of literary expression.
Charles "Thrills" Bryant is a Chicago hip-hop artist who grew up in Evanston and graduated from San Diego City College. He began his musical journey at an early age, and like most kids, he played various sports to keep himself off the streets. After serving four years in the Navy as a Gulf War veteran, he moved to California to pursue his musical career. In 2004, he was featured in a documentary called "Rhyme Spitters" about underground rap battles. Today, he releases music on his own label, Mayday Hillman Inc.
Ugochi is a renowned multidisciplinary artist. She is a professional poet, writer, musician, poetry instructor, and founder of Spirit Speaks, Inc. She has produced, written, and co-arranged three album projects and has been featured in international anthologies. Additionally, Ugochi is a playwright, activist, and racial healing practitioner and a member of AACM and Recording Academy/Grammys Chicago Chapter. She has made appearances on several TV shows and radio stations, including WTTWs Wild Chicago, Artbeat Chicago, WXRT, and WGN Morning Show.
Ramon “Radius” Norwood, Producer/Artist/Photographer is a self-proclaimed “Jazzcatt with a drum machine.” He describes his style as improvisational aesthetics; expressing his reality within the moment through a variety of tempos, textures, and multicolored soundscapes. Radius’ music creatively blends his South Side Chicago Roots and nomadic lifestyle, within various cultures and realms of electronic, hip-hop, house, and jazz music. He is the founder of ETC Records and has rocked alongside many noteworthy artists including Anderson Paak, Jrocc, DJ Shadow, The Gritz Band (Erykah Badu), and many more.