(BALTIMORE – May 24, 2026) — Few leaders in Baltimore today embody resilience, vision, and execution quite like Shelonda Stokes.
On Thursday, May 28, 2026, from 6 to 8 pm at Jody Davis Designs, BMORENews.com, and the Joe Manns Black Wall Street Awards — JODY DAVIS will proudly honor Stokes for her extraordinary leadership in business, economic development, and the continued revitalization of Downtown Baltimore.
The event is part of the 15th Anniversary celebration of the Joe Manns Black Wall Street Awards, which has honored more than 3,000 entrepreneurs, professionals, educators, advocates, and community leaders across nine American cities.
Guests are encouraged to RSVP at blackwallstreetjodydavis.eventbrite.com.
As President of the Downtown Partnership of Baltimore and Executive Director of the Downtown Management Authority, Stokes oversees multi-million-dollar organizations responsible for helping shape the economic future of Baltimore’s urban core. Under her leadership, revenues have more than doubled, major redevelopment initiatives have accelerated, and nearly $7 billion in active and planned development has been announced across Downtown Baltimore.
But her story did not begin in boardrooms.
Raised in Baltimore City, Stokes experienced hardship early in life. She attended multiple schools as a child and began working at just 14, as a custodian at Harborplace. While cleaning Downtown properties as a teenager, she envisioned a different future for herself — and for Baltimore.
A graduate of Baltimore Polytechnic Institute and Morgan State University, where she earned a degree in electrical engineering, Stokes would go on to build an impressive career that bridged technology, communications, economic development, and civic leadership.
Before leading Downtown Partnership, she spent two decades as President and CEO of greiBO, a nationally respected marketing and entertainment agency whose client roster included State Farm, Hewlett Packard, Under Armour, Coca-Cola, and the Smithsonian.
Since taking the helm at Downtown Partnership in 2020 during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Stokes has become one of Baltimore’s most influential business leaders. She launched initiatives like #CurbsideBaltimore to support struggling businesses during the pandemic and later created the BOOST Program — Black-Owned and Operated Storefront Tenancy — designed to help minority-owned businesses establish a stronger presence downtown.
The BOOST initiative has gained national recognition for addressing vacancy while simultaneously investing in Black entrepreneurship. Under the program, selected business owners receive financial assistance, legal guidance, and operational support to help scale their businesses sustainably.
Stokes has also served in critical advisory roles for governors, mayors, Fortune 100 executives, and civic institutions. She co-chaired transition efforts for both Governor Wes Moore and Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott, while continuing to advocate for innovation, public safety, arts, culture, and economic opportunity throughout the city.
Her accolades are extensive. She has earned more than 85 professional and community honors, including recognition as one of Maryland’s Most Influential People and induction into The Daily Record’s Circle of Excellence. She also serves on the Morgan State University Board of Regents and was appointed to the National Women’s Business Council.
Yet despite her accomplishments, those who know Shelonda Stokes best often point to something deeper: her ability to inspire confidence in people and institutions alike.
At a time when many American downtowns are struggling to redefine themselves, Stokes continues to push Baltimore forward with determination, creativity, and an unwavering belief in what the city can become.
That spirit aligns perfectly with the mission of the Joe Manns Black Wall Street Awards — recognizing individuals whose work creates economic opportunity, inspires communities, and leaves a lasting legacy.
On June 4, Baltimore County will celebrate one of Baltimore’s premier leaders.
And rightly so.
