Community Gathering Scheduled for Sunday, April 27, 3–5 PM at Sharon Baptist Church
(BALTIMORE – April 23, 2025) – As the city marks ten years since the death of Freddie Gray, the Sandtown-Winchester Collective will host a heartfelt community reflection on Sunday, April 27, from 3 to 5 p.m. at Sharon Baptist Church, located in the heart of the neighborhood that forever became a symbol of both tragedy and transformation.
The event, organized in partnership with BMORENews.com, invites Baltimore residents, local leaders, media, and national observers to engage in a truthful, community-led conversation about what has changed—and what still must change—since 2015.
“In recent weeks, reporters have all asked the same question: Who has done what since then?” said Doni Glover, West Baltimore native, journalist, and founder of BMORENews. “I’ve told them all the same thing—come to church and see for yourself.”
Glover, who once served as editor of the Sandtown-Winchester ViewPoint Newspaper, has chronicled the community’s story for decades. For him, Sandtown is not a case study or a headline—it’s home. “No story has touched me more deeply than this one. I live here. I love it here,” he shared. “And I’ve spent years working to tell the real story of Sandtown—one the mainstream media too often misses.”
The reflection will feature testimonies, tributes, and community dialogue, spotlighting residents and leaders who have stood in the gap, many long before the world turned its attention to Sandtown:
-
Stokey Cannady, activist and entrepreneur
-
Tracey Malone, community advocate
-
Minister C. D. Witherspoon, civil rights leader
-
Bishop Kevia Elliott, faith leader
-
Bishop Kevin Daniels, community pastor
-
Senator Antonio Hayes, Maryland State Senator
While Sandtown has faced years of disinvestment and systemic challenges—including one of the highest recidivism rates in the state—the narrative is far deeper and richer. This historic community is also home to homeowners, educators, college graduates, city workers, small business owners, and even national talent like actor and singer Richard Burton.
“We are not defined by our pain, but by our resilience,” said Glover. “We stand on the shoulders of giants—people like Tina Thompson, Barton L. Bonds, Walter Thomas, and George G. Kelson. We honor their legacy by remembering who we are, and by fighting for who we are becoming.”
This Sunday’s event is both a remembrance and a reaffirmation. It’s a moment to gather, to honor the life of Freddie Gray, and to ensure that justice, equity, and love remain at the center of Sandtown’s future.
Seating is limited. Attendees are encouraged to RSVP at: FreddieGray.eventbrite.com.
