South Broward’s Rising Stars

Randy Ramos

I have always been around the media production arena since the age of 16 where I volunteered for different types of events. You could find me as the camera guy or the one working in the sound booth. As I got more involved, I started to do graphic arts and design where I would make logos, flyers, etc. There was something different about the times I got behind a video camera when I had the opportunity to not only record the moments but also created and tell a story out of those moments captured. During a two years span, I went back to graphic design and then in 2004, I left my hometown of New York City to Ft. Lauderdale, Florida where my passion for video production/recording came back again. I started to record everything and anything! I remembered in that same year I was asked to record a wedding for an older couple and I just had a Sony HD mini home video camera and shot the wedding, went back home and edited and placed the entire content onto a DVD (Yes a DVD!) The DVD even had chapters as if you were watching a movie. Read more>>

Evelyn Barrios

It all started in Panama City, Panama 1989. I was born into a military family which meant lots of relocating. First place after Panama I lived was California and then finally settling in MIAMI at 7 years old. Being raised in Miami meant a lot of things. A change in culture, language and vibe. I was always an athlete throughout my scholar years, which I am grateful for. Playing sports meant a healthy lifestyle, upbringing and played a huge role in my leadership skills and discipline. Like most people, going into college I had no idea what I wanted to be “when I grow up”. So, I took on business management for the hell of it which opened up a whole can of worms lol. After a couple of courses and unhappy job experiences I knew I wanted to be a BOSS. I wanted to have my own empire, I wanted to create generational wealth , and work on my own terms and most importantly time ! I dabbled in modeling for a bit, but ultimately fell in love with fashion & creating. Social media becomes a huge part of my life because I explore and dive into monetizing my creations constantly. First up, starting a swimwear line @noonswimwear with my sister Katherine Barrios @katdiablo. It’s always been a dream of ours to create together. Building a business from the ground is tough , but in Miami there is so much inspiration and space to create. Read more>>

Valentina Giraldo

I started “belly dancing” at the age of 10. Bellydancing is the commercial term for Raks Sharki (Arabic for the dance of the orient) which originates in the Middle East, North Africa, and Turkey (MENAT) region. It is so much more than just belly dancing. I don’t know where my love for it sparked but it’s one of those loves that comes into your world and shakes everything up. Nothing was ever the same after I took my first belly dance class. My entire world changed. From that point on, this art form became a part of my identity. I began to see the world with different eyes. I have grown intrapersonally through this dance. I have become more aware of myself and others around me. At the age of 18, I decided to move to Argentina and study dance in an academic setting. This move was monumental for me. It showed me that I am capable of accomplishing anything I can dream of. This move began my journey to a full career in dance. Read more>>

Tori Roxanne Harvin

My creative journey with photography started back in 2012 while in my middle school’s TV production program. It was then I first realized the ability of storytelling through the lens of a camera. As time passed and I transitioned into different stages of my life, I lost touch with this newfound passion. It was not until my sophomore year of college that the camera and I were reunited. As a sophomore at Florida State University (FSU), I took on the role as Social Media Chair for the FSU Chapter of NAACP. Within this position, I was designated the task to create a promo video for our organization’s spirit week. With this in mind, I storyboarded, directed, and edited a series of works based on a beloved childhood Disney Channel show The Proud Family. Being in a position where I was once again behind the camera reminded me of that middle school girl who felt so fulfilled doing this kind of work. It was after that, I decided to purchase a camera and continue my story where I left off. Read more>>

Alissa Jean Schafer

I grew up telling stories. Writing them in notebooks, acting them out with neighborhood kids, and eventually crafting them into speeches and presentations in high school and college. I was always very idealistic and drawn to politics. From my young and conservative point of view, elected officials, laws, the whole system of government seemed like a practical way that I could get involved in making the world a better place, In a turn of events that should surprise nobody, all it took was one internship in the Michigan Capitol for the rose-colored glasses to come off. I learned hard truths about things like budgets and the often gaping hole that exists between campaign promises and the day-to-day work of a politician. I decided that politics was not for me, but I kept telling stories. I studied communications in undergrad and grad school. My professional career started in marketing and communications for building materials and industrial components, for everything from traffic lights to solar power transformers. Read more>>

Makeda Brown

My story is one wrapped up in mental illness and the bare bottom truth that it’s just a daily battle of choosing to believe in yourself. After having a lot of early childhood trauma, by my early twenties, I was in a deep state of depression. When my firstborn came, it gave me the realization I had been looking for that I couldn’t continue looking at the outside world for things that made me happy. By the time he came, I had been in the same job for almost seven years despite the harmful ways it was contributing to my mental illness and despite how much I knew with everything in me that it was not something that was fulfilling me. Nor was my husband or my child as much as I loved them. He gave me the realization that living life just to live…was not gonna cut it for me. It wasn’t until my second son was born that I gifted myself the belief that I was allowed to chase after my dreams. Despite what family or society was constantly pumping into my ear. And it was then that I decided to start my business. Because I knew I didn’t want to come off maternity leave and I was tired having anxiety over missing the big moments in my child’s life just because I needed to make a dollar. I was done having set times to wake up, eat lunch and go home. At 29, and after being in the same job for ten years, I had had my fill of the 9-5. As good and reliable as the money was, I decided that the risk on my needs and wants was more important. So I quit. Read more>>

Anna Champagne

Once COVID hit and I had to stay home from work, I didn’t want to feel like I had nothing going for myself. Even though I didn’t have to wake up early and go to work, staying home staring at the ceiling wasn’t fulfilling nor pleasing. Looking around my room I decided that it was time to see some change — Godwilling. One of the main things I caught myself doing often was my hair. Anyone who knows me knows that I will procrastinate on doing my hair and when I say procrastinate I mean PROCRASTINATE. I hated doing my hair. I’m thankful for the hair God gave me but Lord was it a lot to do! Having thick natural curly hair is every girls dream… until you have to do it. I commend every natural hair sister who wakes up every morning, conditions and styles their hair to the T because as far as I go, you’ll be lucky if I even make an attempt to put a comb through my hair within the week. Nonetheless, as I layed in my bed wasting time and skill, I decided I wanted to be more proactive in taking care of my overall self-including my hair. I wasn’t sure how and I wasn’t sure with what but I was going to make it happen. Read more>>

Ronda Rampage

Ronda Rampage, entrepreneur by day, entertainer by night. Miami native who grew up in Hollywood, Florida. New to the music scene but definitely known as a great performer. Ronda has a dance background and has been featured in over 20 local artist music videos. Ronda is now seeking a higher throne taking her shot at the mic, inquest to becoming a household name. Self-made and paid. Owner of Rampire Ent. Ronda has a passion for all creative art. Self-expression has been a moving factor in her life. Ronda spent many nights dreaming of becoming a star as a child. Dedicating her entire life to making a name for herself. “I only care about doing what makes me happy and impacting the world in a positive way”. says Ronda. “No matter what the outcome, long as I know that I spent my life doing what I love, that’s all that matters to me”. Words to live by. Active in the local music scene in south Florida since 2015. This is the year Ronda starting to take her music to the streets. “I’ve always been an artist if you ask me”. Ms. Rampage has been writing music since the 2nd grade, even formed a girl group called Girls Club, who later separated. “I was way before my time and my little girl group was not ready for me, lol”.I was part of a few different camps, but nothing transpired from the work. I had to separate myself to really focus on me. My main thing is branding myself “Ronda Rampage”. I now have four singles, 1 EP, and my business Rampire Ent has been growing. I have many stories and visions that I’m going to bring to life through my music. Read more>>