BALTIMORE — May 9, 2026 — The Joe Manns Black Wall Street Awards returns to Baltimore County with its highly anticipated Black Wall Street SPARROWS POINT edition, bringing together some of the region’s most impactful leaders, public servants, and community builders for an afternoon of recognition, reflection, and connection.
Set for Saturday, May 9 from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Pleasant Yacht Club—Baltimore’s only Black-owned yacht club—the event continues a 15-year tradition of honoring excellence across industries while reinforcing the power of Black entrepreneurship and community leadership.
A Celebration of Leadership Across Sectors
This year’s honorees reflect a powerful cross-section of influence—from public safety and politics to arts, faith, and grassroots organizing.
Among them is Louis Winston, whose more than three decades in fire and rescue services have made him one of the region’s most respected public safety leaders. As Fire Chief of the Howard County Department of Fire and Rescue Services, Winston’s leadership has emphasized innovation, including groundbreaking initiatives like Maryland’s first ground-based Whole Blood Program—saving lives in critical emergencies.
Also being honored is Courtney L. Speed, a pillar of Turner Station whose life’s work embodies service, resilience, and legacy. As founder of the Henrietta Lacks Legacy Group, Speed has played a key role in preserving and elevating one of the most important stories in modern medical history.
On the national stage, Kweisi Mfume will be recognized for a lifetime of leadership—from Baltimore City Council to the U.S. Congress and as former President and CEO of the NAACP. A son of Turner Station, Mfume’s career represents a deep and enduring commitment to justice, equity, and community empowerment.
Community Roots, Future Leadership
The event also highlights emerging leadership, including Arkia Wade, a candidate for Baltimore County Council in District 9. A third-generation member of the Turner Station community, Wade’s work through Neighborhood Companions, Inc. has focused on supporting seniors and strengthening intergenerational ties—demonstrating a model of leadership grounded in service and lived experience.
Her story—rooted in family legacy, including her grandfather’s historic medical service to the community—mirrors the broader spirit of Black Wall Street: building on the past while shaping the future.
Honoring Excellence Across the Region
In addition to these featured leaders, Black Wall Street SPARROWS POINT will recognize an outstanding group of honorees whose work continues to impact Baltimore and beyond:
- Jade Johnson
- Arkia Wade
- Betty Watkins
- Ronnie Lacks
- Louis Winston
- Gloria Nelson
- Johnny Mathis
- Heber Brown
- William Porter
- Michael Hancock
- Robert McCullough
- Kweisi Mfume
- Freddie Oliver
Each honoree represents a thread in the fabric of Black excellence—demonstrating that leadership is not confined to one field, but lives wherever people commit themselves to service, impact, and community uplift.
More Than an Event—A Movement
For 15 years, the Joe Manns Black Wall Street Awards has honored more than 3,000 entrepreneurs and leaders across nine cities nationwide. What began as a recognition platform has grown into a movement—one that documents, celebrates, and amplifies the contributions of Black leaders often overlooked by mainstream narratives.
Black Wall Street SPARROWS POINT continues that mission—bringing the spotlight to a historic community while creating space for networking, collaboration, and economic empowerment.
Event Details
Black Wall Street SPARROWS POINT
📍 Pleasant Yacht Club (Baltimore’s only Black-owned yacht club)
📅 Saturday, May 9, 2026
🕓 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM
RSVP Today
Secure your spot for this powerful celebration of leadership and legacy:
👉 RSVP: https://blackwallstreetsparrowspoint.eventbrite.com
Join us at Black Wall Street SPARROWS POINT on May 9 and be part of a movement that honors the best of who we are.
At its core, Black Wall Street is about legacy.
It is about honoring those who came before, uplifting those doing the work today, and inspiring the next generation to build, lead, and thrive.
On this Saturday, Sparrows Point becomes that stage.
