Kaleem Musa is a multi-talented creative technologist, entrepreneur and artist.  A self-described polymath, he has worked across various sectors ranging from the Arts, education, youth development, and technology. He is currently CEO and co-founder of the Columbus Rising Project, Inc, a technology startup whose mission is to bring digital wellness to communities impacted by the digital divide. He began his tech career as a software developer graduating from the 1st cohort of Tech Elevator in Columbus, Ohio. He was formerly Head of Data for startup PopCom and holds certificates in Artificial Intelligence, leadership in Data Science, SCRUM, and more.  

Kaleem has also spent over 25+ years performing music and poetry, facilitating and speaking as well as developing programs under the name “Speak Williams”. He is currently working on a music project entitled Already Home and other projects centered around the convergence of music, nature, and technology. He is also co-founder of several initiatives and organizations including Creative Control Fest, TEDxKLB, and BlackTech614 and former District 1 Near Eastside Area Commissioner. 

Kaleem is a proud neighborhood advocate and 10 year resident of Bronzeville neighborhood in Columbus, Ohio where he resides with his wife and children.

As CIO of the City of Dublin, Ohio, Doug McCollough has embraced the rich community of

innovation that is Central Ohio. Through collaborations and partnerships he has worked to

connect people to opportunities, remove barriers, and promote change in initiatives ranging

from Smart and Connected Cities, IT Workforce Development, expanding broadband access,

Connected and Autonomous Vehicles, and Blockchain in Government. He has spoken as a

Subject Matter Expert and advocate on technical subjects, diversity and inclusion, and using

technology for community development. Doug is also CEO of Color Coded Labs, which targets underserved, underrepresented, and marginalized communities, seeking gritty working adults to present new, transformative career pathways in the technology industry.

Prior to his current work, Doug held positions within the State of Ohio Departments of Public

Safety, Commerce, Industrial Commission, and Medicaid. He served as the Director of

Information Technology for the City of Richmond, Virginia, and as CIO for the City of Dublin,

Ohio. He is on the boards of Per Scholas Columbus, TECH CORPS, and Jewish Family Services of Columbus, is a cofounder of Black Tech Columbus, and a Trustee for the Central Ohio Transit Authority.

Doug earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Toledo in Information Systems and Operations Management and a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Notre Dame.

Our seasoned Marketing Coordinator, whose expertise lies at the intersection of IT Project Management and Brand Development. With a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from Kentucky State University under his belt, Aaron brings a solid foundation of technical knowledge to his role.

Aaron's passion for leveraging technology to drive creative solutions is evident in his approach to marketing. At CRP, he serves as our Marketing Coordinator, spearheading initiatives from concept to execution. His ability to bridge the gap between creativity and technology ensures that our digital strategy is not just effective but exceptional.

Beyond his professional endeavors, Aaron is deeply committed to community work and building. He believes in the power of collaboration and strives to make a positive impact in the communities we serve. Whether he's volunteering his time or lending his expertise to community projects, Aaron's dedication to making a difference shines through.With his unique blend of technical expertise, creative vision, and passion for community building, Aaron Grady is an invaluable asset to our team at CRP. We are fortunate to have him leading our marketing efforts and look forward to seeing the positive impact he continues to make both within our organization and in the communities we serve.

With a background as a campaign and program director, Kdusan Araya is currently dedicated to her role as the Digital Navigator for the Columbus Rising Project. In addition to this, she actively contributes as a member of her community board and holds a leadership position within a vibrant youth group. As a community advocate, Kdusan utilizes her experience in politics and her skills as a technologist and software engineer to bridge the digital gap and promote positive impact on her community. Her commitment to navigating the digital landscape, nurturing youth leadership, and promoting community connection and empowerment is a key driver of our success.

With over five years of experience in technical solutions implementation as a software, infrastructure, and network engineer, Bakari Levy serves as the Chief Technical Officer for the Columbus Rising Project. His background working for both large enterprises and managed service providers led to the development of his expertise in the designing, implementation, and maintenance of multiple parts of the technological ecosystem. In addition to this, Bakari has served as a subject matter expert on emerging technologies and trends for private and public sector organizations domestically, and internationally, including the Center for Afro-Diasporic Studies at ICESI University in Cali Colombia and the Institute of Caribbean Studies in Washington D.C..