(BALTIMORE – July 1, 2026) — Curtis Dunham is a man who has earned his stripes — and then some.
A Baltimore native who grew up in the rough streets of the city, Dunham refused to let his environment define his destiny. He survived a neighborhood that claimed many, navigated the prison system, lost a son, and still came out standing — and smiling.
“I just don’t break,” he says simply. “I just started working. I started looking out for myself.”
Now in his 60s, Dunham works at the Port of Baltimore, driving trucks off the ships — a CDL-certified professional who takes pride in an honest day’s work. His journey from the streets to a sustainable career is a testament to what sheer determination looks like over decades.
A father and grandfather of four — two granddaughters and two grandsons — Curtis credits the late Darryl Motley as one of his biggest inspirations. A neighborhood celebrity, all-star athlete, and beloved figure in the community, Motley was someone many looked up to — Curtis among them. He left this world far too soon, but his influence lives on in the people he touched.
His favorite quote? Simple. “Do the right thing.”
And his gospel anthem? Yolanda Adams’ “My Liberty.” Fitting for a man who found his.
Curtis Dunham will be honored at the Joe Manns Black Wall Street Awards on August 5 at the Justice Thurgood Marshall Center.
RSVP at BlackWallStreetSummit26.eventbrite.com
I’ve known Curtis since we were kids.
We came through some of the same streets. We saw some of the same things. We survived an era that claimed far too many of our friends.
Life knocked both of us around in different ways. But when I look at Curtis today, I don’t see the struggles. I see a man who refused to quit. I see a man who found his footing, went to work, raised a family, and earned the respect of the people around him.
That’s worthy of recognition.
Black Wall Street has never been only about millionaires. It’s also about everyday brothers and sisters who get up every morning, do an honest day’s work, care for their families, and prove that perseverance still matters. Curtis Dunham represents that spirit as much as anyone I’ve ever known. He’ll always be a millionaire in my book.
