UMBC Alumni - Ask Me Anything: Creative Careers

Justin Winkel ‘13, business technology administration

Justin Winkel, owner of Winkel Gallery, is a self-taught artist, who used his degree from UMBC to help open his contemporary art gallery after graduation. He uses his experiences as an artist entrepreneur to help other aspiring artists. Winkel Gallery is a contemporary art gallery located in the historic neighborhood of Fells Point in Baltimore, MD. Opened in 2015, Winkel Gallery currently houses Justin’s permanent collection and represents other emerging artists who are early in their artistic career.

Sophia Maame ‘14, africana studies

Sofia Maame Thompson is the Creative Director & Lead Publicist of DC based Branding & PR Agency SMTPR. Raised by Ghanaian entrepreneurs and a former student of Africana Studies at UMBC, Sofia provides inclusive Black owned brands with the strategies they need to grow their reach “On Purpose.” Her PR firm SMTPR has placed her clients' earned features in Forbes, ABC, Vogue and more. Having worked with premier brands like Man Repeller and Hanifa, Sofia believes that true luxury is having the knowledge and access to shop mindfully.

Vanessa Barksdale ‘17 social work

Vanessa is the Founder and Principal Consultant for Modernist Communication Strategies (ModernistCommunications.com), a mission-driven digital marketing agency based in Greater Washington, DC. When she's not thinking the best and most effective way for nonprofit organizations to communicate their ideas, she is probably spending time at home with her chihuahua or painting.