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The Dynamic Duo Zandrina Dunning and Stephen Washington are the dynamic business duo arousing people’s musical taste buds in Charleston, South Carolina, and internationally. Dunning and Washington have the experience, the talent, and the accolades to set Charleston’s music scene on fire with soul-stirring concert events. One of their most popular events is the P.U.R.E. Concert Series which Dunning and Washington started in 2020. Dunning and Washington created a platform that was intentional about helping artists to have a creative outlet through stage performance while allowing fans to immerse themselves in the artists’ original music. Even the series name, P.U.R.E., was given strategic thought, which stands for Peace, Unity, and Revival through Entertainment. “There is no better feeling than having an audience of people sing your music and connecting with them in that way,” Dunning said. “We want people to see the bigger picture, be themselves, and love one another.” The P.U.R.E. Concert Series is under the umbrella of The ZD Experience company, which Dunning founded in 2013. Dunning is the Chief Executive Officer and Artistic Director of The ZD Experience, and Washington serves as the Creative Director. The P.U.R.E. Concert Series is a highly-anticipated event where fans travel across the country to gather, bond, and have fun. The P.U.R.E. Concert Series starts its third season in November 2022. The lineup of artists is always thrilled to perform during the concert series because it allows them a platform to express themselves in their most authentic way: through their music. “I always say that there is enough room for everybody. I want people to understand that there is strength in numbers. Also, I want people to realize that their only competition is themselves,” Dunning said. “We want people to be authentic in who they are and intentional about collaborating with others. We want to guide people to understand that their story can influence the next person.” Several of Dunning’s clients have admired her transparency, honesty, and the wisdom she shares freely. She isn’t shy about telling her story of navigating the music industry, entering and exiting different personal and professional relationships, and remaining true to herself and her purpose in life. “I formed a lot of relationships along my journey. One of which was forming a group called Mahogony Soul in 2017. Our intention wasn’t to make an album but to make music,” Dunning said. “We [Mahogony Soul] ended up doing a tribute show to girl groups from the 1970s to today. Although we broke up, I wanted to do more. I knew that live shows gave people a reason to enjoy themselves.” Dunning acted as both the producer and performer in the tribute shows, allowing her to take a step further and gather other artists to host more tribute shows. “In 2019, I produced a concert tribute to Aretha Franklin, starring an artist called Black Diamond, who also starred in the Anita Baker tribute in 2021. Also, in 2021, I produced a tribute to Tina Turner, starring an artist named LaFaye. Earlier this year, Mario Desaussure starred in the Luther Vandross tribute that I produced as well,” Dunning said. “All those artists I worked with said that the tribute shows were a highlight of their careers.” The ZD Experience aims to serve musicians in every facet of their artistry. The ZD Experience provides artist-specific packages to help an artist based on their needed services. Whether an artist needs a place to create music, help writing songs, stage performance tips, or guidance in marketing their talents, The ZD Experience can provide high-level direction and solutions. Dunning and Washington, both Charleston-based musicians, have successful music careers and are intentional about uplifting other artists and spreading their original works to inspire the masses. Originally from Boston, Massachusetts, Dunning is a vocalist with more than 20 years of experience in the music industry. As a young girl, she moved to South Carolina and planted her roots in Charleston. However, she couldn’t resist the calling that music had in her life and went on to attend South Carolina State University, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Industry and Vocal Music in 2004. While operating a successful business, Dunning is also a radio host and producer of The ZD Experience radio show on 96.3 FM’s Ohm Radio, a community-oriented, non-profit radio station. On her radio show, she has candid conversations while playing records that empower the mind, body, and soul of every individual who listens. It’s no coincidence that Washington also has a radio show that’s gaining traction throughout Charleston called Steve’s House, where he has conversed with Grammy award-winning artists, politicians, and servant leaders of the Charleston communities. So naturally, as a music producer, becoming a radio host and producing his own show was an effortless feat. Charleston, South Carolina native Washington has an extensive background in music, starting in his father’s church. As a son of a musically-gifted preacher, he started playing with instruments at five years old, specifically the drums. He learned to play the piano by age 11 and became a regular pianist for his church choir. “Quentin E. Baxter, a Grammy Award-winning musician, pushed me to pursue music. When I was about 14 years old, he would let me watch him play on stage. This experience planted a seed inside me, and opportunities presented themselves,” Washington said. “Quiana Parler is another huge influence in my life. She also won a Grammy alongside Quentin E. Baxter. Quiana gave me my first on-stage opportunity in 2007, and we’ve been performing together ever since. She’s my big sister! She taught me a lot about performing and the music business.” Washington’s love for music started at a young age and has cultivated into a career that led him to travel worldwide, including to Spain and Africa. “Once you get outside of Charleston, things start changing dramatically. When you travel anywhere, you learn about the culture and how people move. Even from a God perspective, we feel like we got it all figured out, but once you step outside your comfort zone, it's a different world,” Washington said. “Africa was life-changing for me. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. I always tell Black people if you get a chance to go somewhere in Africa or Ethiopia, then just go. Don’t miss the opportunity. I spent about four months in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. We got a chance to go to different places and touch the people in the community.” Eventually, Washington found his way back home and connected with Dunning to help other artists find their footing in the music industry. Dunning and Washington have partnered with the elite branding agency, NobleSol Art Group, to help build out their powerhouse vision. “Stephen and I knew what was missing was a space to call our home. So when we met with Okeeba, his vision matched perfectly with ours,” Dunning said. “We wanted a creative space for artists of all kinds to have an outlet.” The partnership between NobleSol Art Group and The ZD Experience will help artists throughout Charleston, South Carolina, succeed beyond their wildest imaginations.

TEACH A MAN TO FISH “Today wasn’t a good morning. I work at the Medical University of South Carolina, and I am part of the trauma team. I work with victims of gunshot wounds,” Keith Smalls tells me. Smalls speaks candidly about his morning at the hospital, where he counsels several victims of gun violence each week. The weight of those counseling sessions is one of several reasons that drove him to found his organization, My Community’s Keeper Mentor Group (MCKMG), bringing the “village mentality” back to his community. “Amid COVID-19 in July 2020, I founded MCKMG. Before then, I was always out volunteering my services and making connections. I wanted the community to know I was available to them,” Smalls says. “Now, MCKMG has become a group of men and women who are making an impact and changing lives.” As the Founder and Executive Director of MCKMG, Smalls works tirelessly to revitalize urban communities in Charleston, South Carolina. The MCKMG programs give families, adult individuals, and at-risk youth a safe haven to nurture their talents, grow within their profession, and form meaningful relationships. Two signature programs, Boys Will Be Boys and A Girl’s World are popular because they provide young men and women with the resources to build their self-esteem and confidence while learning practical skills like financial literacy and business etiquette. “One of the biggest challenges is getting the community to buy in and give effort. MCKMG is helping to reshape the community and get them back to the village mentality,” Smalls says. The village mentality allows the community to be interdependent, whether it be economically, socially, or politically. “In the minority community, we are still learning how to support each other, accept help, and believe that some people have your best interest at heart.” Although Smalls has accomplished remarkable feats within a short period with his prominent organization, he doesn’t shy away from speaking about his past mistakes—which he has fought to overcome. An inspiration to many, Smalls courageously documented his story on the globally known stage, TEDx Talk. A misguided young man at the time, Smalls was arrested when he was 21 and spent 19 years in prison. Upon his release, he was reunited with his family and immediately became a servant-leader for his community. In addition to serving his community, Smalls became a community representative for the previously incarcerated for the Charleston County Criminal Justice Coordinating Council (CJCC). Currently, he sits on the Executive Board as Co-Vice Chair for CJCC. Tragically, a year after his release from the department of corrections, Smalls’ only son Amari Smalls was a victim of gun violence at 17 years old. Yet, despite his pain, Smalls chose to persevere for the betterment of his community. Smalls is a gun violence prevention advocate and Tri-County Gun Violence Coordinating Council member. He uses his platform to speak up against gun violence in hopes one less person won’t have to experience the unimaginable pain he has suffered. “I am considered a gun violence survivor because I am the father of a murdered son. Coming home, I always thought I would be a part of revitalizing my community. Never could I have imagined that my son wouldn’t be here with me on this journey.” Smalls honored his son, Amari, through his first fundraiser, which was hosted at the Okeeba Jubalo Gallery in North Charleston. Dr Annie Andrews addressing the audience at The Okeeba Jubalo Gallery The name of his fundraiser is “Teach a Man to Fish,” which comes from the old age adage, ‘Give a man a fish, you feed him for a day. Teach a man how to fish, and you will feed him for a lifetime.’” Smalls teaches his community how to fish by supplying them with tangible skills to succeed. “The goal of the fundraiser was to introduce our sponsors, community partners, and mentors to MCKMG,” Small says. “Our work is revitalizing our community.” The donations from the fundraiser will go toward sustaining and growing the programs. Okeeba Jubalo, Keith Smalls, Judge Tamara Curry & Eduardo K. Curry, Esquire Keith Smalls addressing his audience at The Okeeba Jubalo Gallery Additionally, MCKMG proudly partners with three schools in the Charleston area, where students enjoy being involved in after-school activities led by MCKMG. Keith Smalls’ mission is to continue providing programs that help his community flourish, thrive, and live peacefully. Keith Smalls and his My Community's Keeper Mentor Group team.

Commentary: I lost a son to gun violence. This is about more than politics. Life as I knew it changed forever on the evening of November 30, 2015, when a detective & coroner showed up at my house and told me unimaginable news. There was a shooting and my only child, Tyrell, was murdered at the age of 23, along with his 22-year-old friend, due to senseless act of gun violence. It was the day that I joined a club that no one wanted to be a part of – I became a gun violence survivor. Tyrell was smart, athletic, handsome, humorous, and had the most amazing smile. He was a husband, married to his high school sweetheart, and a father to a then-two-year-old son. He was the type of person that made you believe you were the most important person in his life – and in so many different ways I was. I was his mother, his caregiver, his friend, and his constant. Too many families across the country are just like mine – devastated, angry and confused by the gun violence that stole our loved one. On top of that trauma, we’re desperate for action. Thankfully, the moment we are in right now seems different. Senator Graham has joined a group of 20 bipartisan Senators who reached agreement on a framework to take action on gun violence and mental health. The framework would take action to enhance background checks for purchasers under 21, provide federal funding to implement and incentivize state Red Flag laws, address the dating partner loophole, and other measures. And if passed, it would be the first major federal gun safety law in 26 years. After my son died, my grandson had his third birthday. Our grief was still fresh – only four days removed from my world crashing down. Tyrell had planned a weekend out of town with his son and wife to celebrate the occasion. Knowing that Tyrell would have wanted us to do it, we honored his wishes – all while making funeral arrangements in the background. I can’t begin to describe how painful it was to continue to celebrate with my grandson as he continued to ask “where’s Daddy” throughout the party. At three years old, he did not, yet, understand the concept of death. Even now, seven years later we are still trying to explain the why to my grandson. We ponder how to answer questions like “Is the person that killed my daddy in jail forever?” and “Why did he kill my daddy?” The pain that I have felt for the past seven years ago is as strong now as it was then – especially when we think about the future Tyrell could have had. It’s hard to think about him missing my grandson’s life. Things like football games, track meets, and even just his love of math are just some of the few things that were stolen. His future with his wife and child will always be a what if. After Tyrell died, I chose to speak out about my story and join the gun violence prevention movement, because he wasn’t able to do it himself. I knew I had to use my voice to honor him and the other 110 people who are shot and killed every single day. I turned my pain into purpose and joined the Everytown Survivor Network and co-founded We Are Their Voices, a local non-profit that provides services to survivors and awareness and education to the effects of violence to families and communities. I never want someone else to feel the way that I feel knowing that I will never see my only child again in the flesh. Gun violence can never be the norm. That's why I do this work every single day. My advocacy allows me to continue to bring awareness to a growing number of people killed or injured due to senseless gun violence. So many voices have been silenced at the hands of gun violence and as a community it’s important to share their voices and never let the world forget that they were real, loved, and mattered. I will never let the world forget my son. I’m grateful to Senator Graham for initiating action, but this is just the first step. If you are tired of seeing this violence in our communities, homes, grocery stores, parks and everywhere else we go, please join me in thanking Senator Graham and urging him to make turning this bipartisan framework into law his main priority. This isn’t about red or blue politics. This is about saving lives.