(BALTIMORE – July 26, 2026) — “Meanwhile, on the other side of the world…”
That is the closing line from Terence Trent D’Arby’s “As Yet Untitled,” and it captures exactly how I felt Saturday.
While Black Wall Street Harlem was taking place in New York, the annual One Baltimore Cookout was happening at Woodlawn Recreation and Parks.
I had been looking forward to One Baltimore all year.
Although Timmy Greene and the members of the One Baltimore organization have presented the gathering for 20 years, last year was my first time attending. I was amazed by the number of Baltimore basketball legends assembled in one place. I saw giants whose names I knew, met others whose names I did not know, and learned more Baltimore basketball history than I could have imagined.
Special thanks go to Charles “Choo” Smith and Dwayne “Kosher” Wood for helping keep me informed and on point. Choo is a former Harlem Globetrotter and chairman of the National Basketball Retired Players Association. Between Choo, Kosher, and the many other legends present, last year’s gathering became an education for me.
One of its most meaningful moments was meeting Baltimore basketball legend Jo Jo Parker.
Timmy and the One Baltimore family had been trying to get Jo Jo to attend the gathering for 20 years. Last year, he finally came. He was recognized and celebrated among his peers at the age of 85.
Then, in May, Jo Jo Parker got his wings.
That made last year’s gathering even more precious. It reminded me that we must celebrate our legends while they are still here to receive the flowers.
From the moment I left last year’s cookout, I was geeked about returning. I had been waiting for this year’s One Baltimore gathering ever since.
But then Harlem called.
My friend Vito Jones had told me that he would arrange for us to present the Black Wall Street Awards in Harlem. I had asked for the opportunity, and Vito kept his word. He set it up.
Then he called and told me I needed to be in Harlem.
I could not ignore that call. Black Wall Street Harlem was part of the work, part of the mission, and part of a promise that had been made and fulfilled.
So, New York called—and yes, I answered.
Still, my heart was also in Woodlawn Park.
I knew what I was missing. I knew the history, fellowship, love, and Baltimore basketball royalty that would be gathered there. I knew the stories being told and the priceless moments being created.
Clearly, I could not be in two places at once.
That is why a photograph sent to me by my Dunbar brother and friend Dwayne “Kosher” Wood meant so much.
The picture features Muggsy Bogues, Dwayne “Kosher” Wood, Skip Wise, and Reggie Williams.
Just look at that picture.
Those are not merely four familiar faces. Those are four Baltimore giants who helped cement the Dunbar mystique. They represent basketball excellence, extraordinary athletic prowess, perseverance, history, and pride.
Muggs and I transferred to Dunbar during the same year. We graduated in 1983 with Reggie Williams. Muggs, of course, was a point guard. Reggie was a 6-foot-7 forward and the nation’s top-ranked high school recruit.
Skip Wise is one of those names everybody in Baltimore knows. Before so many of the celebrated Dunbar players who followed, there was Skip—a high school sensation who became the first freshman selected first-team All-ACC while playing at Clemson.
Then there is Dwayne “Kosher” Wood, a three-year varsity letterman, 1980 Player of the Year, and another essential part of the Dunbar basketball tradition.
Muggsy Bogues. Dwayne “Kosher” Wood. Skip Wise. Reggie Williams.
Their basketball accomplishments speak for themselves. But what impresses me just as much is the humility of these men.
That, to me, is where true greatness lives.
I have seen Reggie over the years, and he has never changed. Muggs has never changed. They remain humble, approachable, and grounded.
Over the past decade, I have also gotten to know Kosher and Skip, thanks in large part to Gregory Branch—the man Baltimore knows as “Mr. Dunbar.”
Although I could not attend One Baltimore this year, Kosher’s photograph allowed me to share in one beautiful part of the day. Seeing those Baltimore giants standing together was awe-inspiring.
Kosher, thank you for thinking of me.
I promised that I would share the picture with the world—and I will.
I answered Harlem’s call Saturday, but make no mistake: a very real part of my heart remained at One Baltimore.
Sometimes, one photograph truly is worth a thousand words.
One city. One legacy. One Baltimore.
