Tech Conversations at FIU’s Ratcliffe Art + Design Incubator

We welcome FIU Distinguished University Professor Orlando Jacinto Garcia to celebrate the 30-year evolution of the Wertheim School of Music and Performing Arts, exploring its journey from its early beginnings to its impact on Miami’s vibrant cultural community. Dr. Garcia shares insights on preparing the next generation of musicians for professional careers, the growing role of AI in music composition, and why live performance and human creativity remain at the heart of music.

From fellow at RA+DI to faculty at FIU! In this episode, we explore the journey of Chris Friday from fellow to faculty at FIU, her innovative projects, and insights on balancing art with business and education.Chris originally was taking a different path before she took the artists journey, and the rest is pretty much history.

In this episode, Anai Fonte shares her entrepreneurial journey from starting a dog grooming to opening an art gallery, highlighting the importance of community, networking, and embracing the process of starting a business. She offers practical advice for aspiring entrepreneurs and insights into leveraging resources like the FIU Ratcliffe Art and Design Incubator.

In this episode, Cynthia Hudson shares her inspiring journey through journalism, media innovation, and storytelling, reflecting on how technology, adaptability, and curiosity continue to shape the future of media. Hosted by Maggie Salas-Amaro, this candid conversation explores career pivots, the impact of AI, and why powerful storytelling remains essential in an increasingly digital world.

Meet Robert “BJ” Duncan, FIU Alumni and an eight-year councilman for the Town of Cutler Bay and a longtime member of the local community.In this conversation, Duncan discusses Cutler Bay’s growth, preserving the community’s character, and the role of innovation, jobs, and economic opportunity in the area’s future.

In this episode, Migdalia "Micki" Rodriguez shares her inspiring journey from heart failure diagnosis to heart transplant, highlighting the role of technology, community, and advocacy in her recovery. Micki discovered the American Heart Association's Go Red for Women Movement on social media and applied to be a 2026 Class of Survivors, sharing her journey across communities.Discover vital health insights, the power of social media, and the importance of early detection and self-advocacy.

Jenny Padura shares her journey from the early days as a student and intern at FIU to becoming a prominent journalist at Univision 23 in Miami. She describes herself as having a great passion for journalism, the challenges of covering traumatic stories, the impact of artificial intelligence on newsrooms, and her innovative approach to community engagement through social media.

Kassidy Angelo is the Managing Director of GIOIA Hospitality Group, bringing a unique blend of financial expertise and entrepreneurial leadership to the restaurant industry. Have you dined at Daniels Miami or Daniel's Fort Lauderdale? After a finance career at JPMorgan, she transitioned into hospitality, where she now drives some of the strategic growth and innovation behind GIOIA’s restaurant portfolio.

Meet Karim Aboud, Miami based artist, author and luxury- beauty educator.Her passion for painting comes from her parents and began at an early age. She expresses herself not only through her art, but also through live paintings that bring her creativity to life.Now, she is launching her first children’s book, hoping to inspire others not to become overwhelmed and to be ready to leave the boat when the port calls.

# Exploring the Art of Documentary Filmmaking: Insights from Dudley AlexisDiscover the journey and insights of filmmaker Dudley Alexis as he discusses storytelling, technology, and the cultural significance of his documentaries.We dive into an insightful conversation with Dudley Alexis, an independent filmmaker and multimedia artist. With a career shaped by a passion for storytelling and a commitment to social justice, Dudley shares his unique perspective on documentary filmmaking, the technologies he embraces, and the powerful narratives he seeks to tell.