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What does it take to turn a region into a creative hub? We sit down with executive producer and community leader Jamar C. Davis to unpack the strategy, grit, and heart behind building large-scale festivals, leading Hampton Roads Pride, and launching programs that actually change lives.

Jamar traces his path from Governor’s School tech theater to founding JAM Entertainment after leaving a corporate event role during the pandemic. He shares how connection—not stages or lights—is the real product of live events, and why working on the soft opening of Pharrell’s Atlantic Park rewired his view of excellence. From artist advances to vendor wrangling, he opens the black box of production and shows how organized teams make magic feel effortless.

Beyond the stage, we explore volunteer power, the “family cookout” energy of the Cousins Festival, and a new wellness series for queer Black and Brown men focused on relationships and health. As the new president of Hampton Roads Pride, Jamar lays out an inclusive mission that stretches far beyond a weekend: scholarships for future leaders, film projects that preserve queer history, and partnerships that make healthcare and counseling easier to reach. He doesn’t dodge the hard parts either—naming the pressure on trans communities and the collaboration gap across the 757 that keeps great work from scaling.

If you care about culture, community, or the nuts and bolts of world-class events, this conversation delivers practical insight and real hope for what’s possible in Hampton Roads and beyond. Subscribe, share with a friend who builds things, and leave a review to help more people find the show.

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A quiet swing, a rooftop at sunset, a barbershop buzz—sometimes the places we know best say the most. We sit with 12-year-old artist Jalani Vickers to explore how ordinary scenes become emotionally rich portraits, and why small choices like a hoodie slogan or a jersey number can carry unexpected weight. His world is part city dream, part neighborhood memory, and fully intentional about mood and meaning.

Jalani walks us through his process from pencil sketches at his bedroom desk to polished digital color with help from his uncle. He explains that reading graphic novels sharpened his eye for pacing and characterization, and that visits downtown feed his love of cityscapes, even when the skyline is imagined. We unpack standout pieces from the Nonchalant Dreadhead series—an introspective kid on a swing wearing “Tax The Rich,” a focused hooper in a familiar court, and a tightly framed barbershop that makes you feel the room’s warmth. Along the way, he talks about discipline learned from boxing, the joy of being truly seen by viewers, and the difference between art that looks cool and art that makes you feel something.

We also get real about support systems and access. Jalani’s mom, Blair, shares how she noticed his shift from doodles to deliberate work, why they debated the series name, and how local makers' markets and a simple online shop create real paths for a young artist. If you care about youth creativity, urban storytelling, and the craft of turning everyday life into lasting images, this conversation will give you fresh ideas and a lot of heart.

Listen now, share your favorite moment, and tap follow to catch future conversations. If the story moved you, leave a quick review—it helps more people discover voices like Jalani’s.

🔗 Full episode, photos & transcript:

https://www.listenup.biz/an-artist-at-12-jalani-vickers

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Do us a favor and like, comment, share, and subscribe so you don't miss any future episodes. To see the full video on YouTube go to Listen Up with Host Al Neely

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A plate can be beautiful, but the real magic is what it makes you feel. That’s where we go with Chef Jeremiah Cardinal—a cook who treats cuisine like an art you practice daily, not a badge you wear. From early days flipping burgers at sixteen to corporate chef heights and then a leap across the Atlantic, Jeremiah traces how Germany and Finland broadened his base while Poland’s top kitchens reshaped his standards. He shares the trial he failed on the hot line, the cold station he earned, and the mentors who turned service into disciplined teamwork—film review, precise roles, and relentless attention to the last five percent that separates good from unforgettable.

We dig into technique without jargon: why a pacojet makes sorbets and ice creams impossibly airy, how a beetroot sorbet can anchor a chilled soup, and why shortcuts show up on the spoon. Jeremiah breaks down what “controlled chaos” actually means on a Saturday night and why protecting standards isn’t snobbery—it’s hospitality. Guests aren’t buying garnish; they’re trusting you with a moment. That belief led him to start Entre Nous, a private chef service built for intimacy between you and me. He explains how personal clients, family-style dinners, four-course menus, and holiday drop-offs bring restaurant-level craft into homes, minus the noise of a dining room and the stress of timing everything alone.

We also map the shifting Virginia Beach food scene—more creativity, global influences, and a few local spots pushing boundaries with breads, seasonal menus, and bold specials. Along the way, Jeremiah’s mentors appear like guideposts: the cook who made kitchens feel like paradise, the sous chef who welcomed questions, the exacting chef who demanded better even when a dish looked fine. The takeaway is simple and generous: food is an art that disappears, but the memory lasts. If you want that kind of cooking at your table—or just want to hear how a craftsperson builds it—this one’s for you.

Enjoyed the conversation? Follow the show, subscribe for more chef stories and kitchen wisdom, and leave a quick review to help others discover us. Got a food memory that never left you? Share it with us.

Support the show

Do us a favor and like, comment, share, and subscribe so you don't miss any future episodes. To see the full video on YouTube go to Listen Up with Host Al Neely

Reach out to us on our socials and hit us up with any questions!

Email: Info@listenup.biz
Instagram: ListenUp4U
Facebook: Let's Talk About It - Listen Up
Twitter: ListenUp@Listenup4U
Website: listenup.biz

YouTube: Listen Up with Host Al Neely