The Team
a braintrust of intuitive, creative professionals
Christopher "Dasan Ahanu" Massenburg
Founder & CEO
Dasan is a strategist and builder who uses art & culture as a foundation and framework for creative solutions to internal and external business needs. He develops programs, collaborates on projects, helps map out initiatives, coordinates resources, and fosters ideation for organizations and institutions. He aims to deepen connection and engagement, reach farther, and increase capacity through creative and iterative design.
Boris "Bluz" Rogers
Creative Direction | Community Engagement
Bluz is a multidisciplinary artist, creative director, and cultural leader whose work has helped shape Charlotte's creative and civic landscape. An Emmy® Award-winning poet, Bluz has been honored with the Excellence in Leadership recognition from the NAACP, and Poet Laureate for the Harvey B. Gantt Center's 50th Anniversary – the Gantt Golden Year. Bluz's poetry is universal – dismantling social, economic, and ethnic barriers; reaching into the heart of the community where he is an active member. Known for his ability to blend art, strategy, and storytelling, Bluz brings a visionary yet community-grounded approach to creative direction—one that centers authenticity, representation, and impact.
His work as a consultant spans major institutions and global brands, including the NFL, NBA, MLS, NASCAR, Harvey B. Gantt, Blumenthal Performing Arts, UNC Charlotte, the City of Charlotte, Charlotte Center City Partners, Kraft, BASF, and Red Bull. Across these partnerships, Bluz helps organizations translate values into compelling creative experiences that connect with diverse audiences and strengthen community trust.
A deep commitment to cultural engagement, collaboration, and the use of creativity as a tool for connection, equity, and lasting change defines his leadership.
Wendy Jones
Program Development & Management
Wendy is a mission-driven Program Manager with a strong commitment to expanding opportunities for under-resourced founders. With a passion for inclusive entrepreneurship, she has guided more than 120 emerging business owners through leadership development, resource navigation, and strategic support—helping them scale their ventures and deepen their impact in their communities.
Outside her work in entrepreneurship, Wendy is a long-standing advocate for arts and culture. For 16 years, she has served as the Slam Coordinator for the Bull City Slam Team, nurturing spoken-word artists and creating spaces where their voices can thrive. She is also the founder of Biwaha Publishing & Artist Management Group, where she empowers poets and performers to publish their work, build their platforms, and secure meaningful performance opportunities.
Across every facet of her work—program management, community engagement, artistic development, and mentorship—Wendy is driven by a singular mission: to uplift others and help them realize their full potential. Her career reflects a deep belief in the transformative power of creativity, entrepreneurship, and community.
Ayanna Albertson-Gay
Content Strategy | Social Impact
Ayanna is a multi-hyphenate artist, storyteller, and strategist whose work sits at the intersection of creativity, culture, and impact. She earned her B.A. in Broadcast Journalism, deepening her commitment to impactful communication and narrative focus. Grounded in a deep artistic practice, Ayanna approaches storytelling as both craft and catalyst—helping individuals, brands, and organizations uncover narratives that are authentic, resonant, and purpose-driven.
A seasoned competitor on both local and national stages, Ayanna rose to international recognition in April 2021 when she was named the top woman slam poet in the world at the Women of the World Poetry Slam in Dallas, Texas. Her experience as a successful digital influencer further informs her understanding of audience, engagement, and the power of story in shaping perception and driving action across platforms.
Ayanna partners with businesses and institutions to translate values into compelling narratives that advance social impact, strengthen community trust, and align mission with message. Through her work, storytelling becomes not just communication but a tool for connection, accountability, and meaningful change.
Jes Averhart
Leadership | Business Development
Jes is a 4th generation entrepreneur, creator of Reinvention Road Trip® and 3x award-winning author. She is the founder of Jes & Co. specializing in stakeholder engagement and leadership development. Jes also advises high-performing individuals and corporate teams as a master certified life coach and professional leadership advisor.
Her cross-industry corporate engagement includes companies within Research Triangle Park and the American Underground, a Google for Startups Tech Hub (aka, the “Startup Capital of the South” by CNBC). During her tenure, she had the unique opportunity to manage relationships with Google, Fidelity Labs, Wells Fargo, Coastal Credit Union, Lincoln Financial and others. Her time spent immersed in the startup scene also inspired her to co-found Black Wall Street Homecoming, a nonprofit aimed at closing the funding gap for Black and Brown tech founders. Earlier in her career, Jes launched a boutique production and marketing company specializing in providing professional management services for the likes of the Cincinnati Bengals & Cleveland Browns (NFL), Cleveland Cavaliers (NBA), the Procter & Gamble Company and Pepsi Cola North America.
Over the last two decades, Jes has worked with a portfolio of Fortune 500 companies, public sector organizations and high-performing individuals interested in increased personal growth and greater professional impact. Her 20 years of cross-industry corporate engagement means she’s worked with Amazon, Palo Alto Networks, The Kroger Company, Google for Startups, Microsoft, Cisco, North Carolina Advocates of Justice and Blue Cross Blue Shield, just to name a few.