Sandi Klein's Conversations with Creative Women

Johanne Reid, Romare Bearden Foundation Co-Director

Johanne Bryant Reid managed to merge her business career with her passion for the arts. While working at Merrill Lynch as Manager of its Global Human Resources Department, she joined the Board of the Romare Bearden Foundation. After serving as primary fundraiser for 7 years, she was named co-director in 2009. The foundation was created in 1990 as a non-profit, aimed at preserving and perpetuating the legacy of this pre-eminent African/American artist. So the Reid/Bearden match makes perfect sense. He made art, she makes sure it lives on. Sit back and enjoy this engaging conversation.

Roz Mays, Personal Trainer, Gym Instructor, Pole Dancer

You're about to meet Roz Mays, a personal trainer/gym instructor who also happens to be an award-winning pole dancer. And.. describes herself this way, "I'm black, I'm plus size and I'm a woman - that's a triple threat in fitness. I'm the anti-Christ. I'm just missing being a lesbian Muslim and then everyone can hate me!" Sit back and enjoy this refreshingly open and honest conversation. You're gonna love her!

Alexandra Vassilaros, Playwright

Alexandra Vassilaros has acted on stage, in film, and on television, but her passion is playwriting. Her most recent work, "Big Sky," about a well-to-do family, had its world LA's Geffen Playhouse in the spring of 2016. Her other plays include "Omnium Gatherum," a 9/11-born collaboration with Theresa Rebeck. It was a 2004 Pulitzer Prize finalist.

Alex shares what it's like to be on stage and to write for the stage. There's a plenty to learn from this frank and fascinating conversation. 

Amy Shoremount-Obra, American Soprano

Internationally known American soprano Amy Shoremount-Obra made her debut at The Met in 2014 as "First Lady" in Mozart's "The Magic Flute." She's been back since and this year performs in two new operas. Amy's sung in venues in the States and Europe. Tune in as Amy takes us on her impressive 'operatic' journey. 

Marcia Thompson, Restauranteur

Mrs. Wilkes' Dining Room has been a fixture on historic and beautiful Jones Street in Savannah, Georgia since 1943. Open Monday-Friday from 11:00am-2:00pm, diners wait in line for seats at one of the large tables-for-ten shared by strangers. Once inside, they're greeted by an assortment of delicious home-cooked Southern dishes. You're about to meet Marcia Thompson, whose late grandmother, Sema, is Mrs. Wilkes, considered a pioneer for women in the restaurant business. This is a fascinating and mouth watering conversation about love, family and history.

Khuraira Musa, Make Up Artist

Khuraira Musa's career as a successful make up artist and creator of a cosmetics line that bears her name is a far cry from her humble beginnings in a small village in Northern Nigeria. Life began in an orphanage after her mother died in childbirth. She was later adopted by an aunt, who had very little. They lived in a mud hut with no electricity or running water. What Khuraira says she didn't lack, was a tremendous amount of love. Listen in as she shares the details of her life in Nigeria and here in the States in this riveting, no-holds barred conversation.

Pat Battle, Television News Reporter

Veteran award winning television reporter Pat Battle is a human dynamo. WNBC-TV's senior New Jersey correspondent, she's been covering numerous breaking news stories with her uniquely personal touch since joining the station in 1996. Pat won a national Emmy and Edward R. Murrow award as part of Channel 4's team coverage of Hurricane Sandy in 2102. She also co-anchors WNBC's Weekend Today. Pat has been recognized for lending both her voice and support to numerous public service organizations across the tri-state. This is one engaging, frank, funny and fascinating conversation.

Kristin McCarthy Parker, Theatrical Director

Kristin McCarthy Parker is one busy, creative woman. She's a freelance director in New York City and a founding member of the theater group, Recent Cutbacks. Her niche? Directing top-notch theatrical parodies of blockbuster films. They include, in no particular order: KEVIN!!! (Home Alone), Fly You Fools (Lord of the Rings) and Hold On To Your Butts (you may recall that was the line Samuel Jackson spoke not once, but twice in Jurassic Park). It was named the #3 Comedy of 2014 by Time Out New York Magazine. Kristin is smart, funny and breath of fresh air.

Tamra Ryan, of The Women's Bean Project

Meet Tamra Ryan, CEO of the Women's Bean Project.  Founded in 1989, this Denver-based non profit is dedicated to helping women break the cycle of chronic unemployment and poverty through on-the-job-training and life skills coaching. Tamra defines her role as the visionary leader and organization's spokeswoman, a position she's eminently qualified for with more than 20 years of marketing and sales experience.  Products made by Women's Bean Project include mixes for bean soup, chilli, corn bread, cookies and brownies and are sold at womensbeanproject.com, amazon.com, walmart.com and nearly 1,000 retail stores across the U.S.  Here's yet another conversation you won't want to miss!

Hannah Cortazzo, Horticulturist

Horticulturist/gardener Hannah Cortazzo is a transplanted New Yorker (no pun intended!). Growing up on a rare private property within the preserved lands and river system of the Ozark National Scenic Riverways in Missouri, Hannah says she never took nature for granted. Her love of plants, flowers and trees is on display in her workplace - the magnificent Conservatory Garden at New York City's Central Park. Its 6-acre Italian, French and English gardens are filled with 27 flowering plants, shrubs and trees. Spend the next half hour as Hannah shares the transformative effect a garden can have in our everyday lives.