About Us

Originally from Brooklyn, NY, mother, entrepreneur, CEO, producer,
journalist, publisher, prison/youth/
community advocate, and motivational
speaker; the list is endless. Focused and
ambition-driven, as the owner of Urban Reads Bookstore & State Vs Us Magazine, Tia sees the necessary advocacy that's needed in her community, so she is taking on that challenge to be the leader Baltimore needs. 

Discover the groundbreaking digital cannabis platform CEED. A new way of empowering enthusiasts and businesses alike, revolutionizing the way you explore, connect, and thrive in the cannabis industry.

Armed with 10+ years of cyber defense and a background in the U.S Marine Corps, Tre’Von ventured into the emerging medical cannabis industry. Leading the successful launch of Maryland’s premiere dispensary, he redirected his expertise and embraced the profound impact of the War on Drugs, cannabis science, and its cultural heritage, to enhance industry ownship for his community.

Keith founded Piedmont Hemp Co.® in 2016, specializing in
Health, and \Wellness Nutraceuticals infused with hemp. The products improve a customer’s quality of life and help 1m1imain optimal health via healthy medical alternatives. With the family farm as its foundation, Keith worked with North Carolina A&T State University’s Agriculture Department with the intent of growing industrial hemp. In 2017, the form received a license from the NC Department of Agriculture Industrial Hemp Commission to establish a growing pilot.

Tasha Parker's remarkable 30-year career journey began on Wall Street in the financial district. Her unyielding dedication to small businesses, economic equality, and operational excellence is her passion journey. As the Co-Founder and COO at Piedmont Hemp Co®, she exemplifies her prowess in driving transformative change in the industrial hemp industry.

Sita Abdul-Malik began her career in the cannabis industry in 2017, navigating DC’s pop up scene before transitioning to work at a Maryland dispensary. Over the course of 5 years, she has worked for 3 MSO’s, a D.C. gifting shop, served on the board of Maryland NORML, and won first place at the D.C. Growers Cup competition (2021, 2022) for her CBD skincare and self care product line called The High Class. She currently works as a production manager at a white/private label CBD manufacturing company based in Baltimore.

Karim Amin is an Arts Activist  & Civic Leader from  Baltimore . Karim is the executive director   Voices of 21217. Voices of 21217 is a youth-led non -profit  that provides opportunities for youth in Baltimore Ages 14-24 to center their voices and advocate for change through oral history told through portrait photography, film and creative writing. Voices of 21217 Photography has been featured in exhibits at the Smithsonian Portrait Museum in Washington D. . and Coppin State University in Baltimore .

A self-made entrepreneur, community activist, patient advocate, and family man deeply rooted in the DMV area, has dedicated over 18 years of service as a commercial communication technician in Baltimore City. Witnessing the impact of PTSD, anxiety, depression, and addiction, he turned to CBD as an alternative therapy after a near-fatal bike accident. This led him to educate himself about cannabis and the industry.

Nathaniel Hicks Jr., VP Cannas Capital LLC, Maryland State Director Minorities 4 Medical Marijuana and Board Member First Tee of PG County is a sincere advocate for a better quality of life and respect for cannabis patients, returning citizens and underserved youth. As a Founding Board Member of MCEC, Mr. Hicks wishes to be a voice of change for the grassroots issues and hindering obstacles endured by Maryland BIPOC citizens. 

Eric Spencer is a founding member of Mello Tymes LLC, a Minority, Woman, and Returning Citizen owned Cannabis Brand based in New York. Mello Tymes LLC has been awarded a NY State Dispensary License. He also currently serves as an Administrative Officer for a government agency in the State of Maryland. He received B.S. in Business Administration (Finance) from the John Chambers College of Business and Economics at West Virginia
University. Mr. Spencer has also received a paralegal certificate from Georgetown University and worked at the Office of the Attorney General in Washington DC as a Georgetown University Paralegal Fellow.

Colin, a technological innovator who saw a gap in the market. Despite the leaps made in terms of making cannabis legal and more accessible, the industry still hasn’t made many strides in the tech sector. Colin wanted to change that.
“I was looking for an opportunity to get into the cannabis industry and saw a lot of potential in delivery,” Colin explained. “There are a ton of dispensaries out there, but no real way to connect customers with them.”

Matthew Lovett is the owner of Juice Joint LLC. He entered this industry with the hopes of helping individuals who are returning citizens find a comfortable career in the now booming cannabis industry. Matt’s background is in communications with a Bachelor of Science from HBCU Lincoln University with a focus on television, radio and film.

Krystal Lovett is the owner and co-founder of Juice Joint LLC. A Johns Hopkins University graduate with over 15 years of experience in biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries.