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April 4-6, 2025

Word of South

Charles Driebe

Charles Driebe is a personal manager of musical artists. Driebe is the founder and CEO of Blind Ambition Management Ltd, known for managing the Blind Boys of Alabama (since 2000) and other acts. He is also a Grammy-winning record producer, an entertainment attorney, a producer of live performances and concert tours, and a songwriter. He’ll […]

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Michelle Johnson

Michelle Johnson was born in Tallahassee, raised in Tampa, and graduated from Florida A&M University. She currently works as an elementary school teacher in Tampa and previously taught in China for four years, where she also wrote and directed plays for elementary and middle school students. She’s been singing since childhood and loves old jazz […]

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Rachel Porter

Rachel Basan Porter is the Director of Research and Programming at the Florida Historic Capitol Museum where she is responsible for the strategic development of exhibitions and collections care, as well as special events and projects. Prior to her employment with the Museum, Rachel held multiple roles with the Florida Department of State. In 2008 […]

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Tiffany Baker

Ms. Baker has spent the last twenty years fostering strategic community initiatives that demonstrate the importance of connecting the past to our future path. Since 2014, she has been appointed by Florida’s Senate President and House Speaker to serve as the Director of the Florida Historic Capitol Museum. Her passion for strengthening communities extends far […]

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Jane Kamensky

Jane Kamensky is President of Monticello/ The Thomas Jefferson Foundation. A leading historian of early America and the United States, she earned her BA (1985) and PhD (1993) in history from Yale University. For thirty years, she worked as a history professor and higher education leader, most recently as Jonathan Trumbull Professor of American History […]

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Annie DiRusso

Annie DiRusso is a Nashville based indie-rock artist born in NYC, who wears the influence of both of these cities on her sleeve. She blends buzzing garage rock guitars and high-energy performances with a pop-infused flair. The magic she creates in her hooks and melodies is apparent in her previously released singles and debut EP, […]

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Phabrik

Phabrik, the winner of the 2024 FSU College of Music Word of South competition,is a RnB/NeoSoul band that includes powerhouse vocalist Megan Eileen and soulful lyricist Bo Hendrix. This Tallahassee-based band guarantees to give you an electric sound that will keep you coming back for more. […]

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Melinda Michelle Evans

Melinda Michelle, a Florida native, was born in Jacksonville, raised in Sanford, and currently calls Tallahassee home. She is a proud alumna of the esteemed HBCU, Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Accounting. Melinda furthered her education by obtaining an MBA with a concentration in Finance and Accounting […]

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Tokyo Extra0rdinaire

Blending elements of Gospel, Neo-Soul, R&B, and Hip Hop, South Florida native Tokyo.Extra0rdinaire is a recording artist, music producer, songwriter, and audio engineer.  Influenced by the likes of Outkast, Missy Elliott, the Neptunes, and more, her eclectic sound often blends soulful melodic harmonies with vivid storytelling – cultivating a musical expression of positivity and empowerment. […]

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Mandy Stringer

Dr. Amanda (Mandy) Stringer has been CEO of the Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra since 2010. Her achievements include growing the budget 170%, increasing both corporate sponsorships and annual fund donations 200%; widening the TSO’s subscriber base; increasing federal and regional funding through new grants; and instituting many new initiatives and programs. Dr. Stringer is actively engaged […]

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