(BALTIMORE, MD – July 9, 2026) — There are moments when you realize the next generation is carrying the torch well.
For me, one of those moments came during Sabrina Tapp-Harper’s campaign for Baltimore City Sheriff.
Her son, Xavier E. Harper, was everywhere—not seeking attention for himself, but faithfully supporting his mother and her vision. He showed up. He encouraged supporters. He promoted the campaign. And he represented his family with professionalism, dignity, and class.
That left an impression.
It is one of the reasons BMORENews and BlackUSA.News are proud to honor Xavier E. Harper with the Joe Manns Black Wall Street Award during The Black Wall Street Summit: National Black Business Month Edition, Wednesday, August 5, 2026, in West Baltimore.
Professionally, Harper has built an impressive career rooted in service and protection.
A law enforcement professional, executive protection specialist, and entrepreneur, Harper has more than 15 years of experience in public safety, private security, and executive leadership.
He is the Founder and CEO of Family Protection Executive Security, LLC, where he provides executive protection, security consulting, threat and risk assessments, and operational planning for businesses, public officials, professional athletes, executives, and private clients.
Harper also serves as a Police Officer with the Baltimore City School Police Department, where he is committed to protecting students, educators, and school communities through proactive policing, public safety initiatives, and collaborative partnerships.
Dedicated to continuous professional growth, Harper has completed advanced training through the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), FBI-LEEDA, and the Northeast Counterdrug Training Center. His specialized training includes Internal Affairs Investigations, Street Gang Investigations, Open Source Intelligence (OSINT), Criminal Justice Information Systems (CJIS), and intelligence-led policing.
Known for his integrity, professionalism, and commitment to service, Harper believes effective security is built through leadership, innovation, collaboration, and trust.
Yet, while those accomplishments are impressive, they are not what stood out to me most.
As the son of a funeral director and business owner, I understand what it means when children embrace their parents’ mission.
There is something special about watching a son stand beside his mother—not because he has to, but because he wants to.
Unfortunately, that doesn’t always happen.
Children don’t always support their parents. Parents don’t always support their children. Brothers don’t always support their sisters. Sisters don’t always support their brothers.
So when we witness families working together with love, respect, and purpose, we should acknowledge it.
That’s exactly what I saw in Xavier.
Throughout the campaign, he represented his mother with unwavering support. There was no drama. No negativity. No foolishness.
Just professionalism.
Just excellence.
Just Black excellence.
It made me proud.
There’s another connection that resonated with me.
Like his mother, Xavier is part of the proud Dunbar High School tradition—a tradition that has produced generations of leaders committed to excellence both inside and outside the classroom.
When I think about educators like Julia B. Woodland, Dr. L.Z. Gladden, Dr. Estelle Ingram Levy, Lynette Woodley, Dan Maurer, Hugh Carey, Danny Brown, and so many others, I think about teachers who taught us that winning was never limited to athletics.
Winning meant character.
Winning meant preparation.
Winning meant service.
Winning meant representing your family, your school, and your community with pride.
Watching Xavier Harper, I saw those values reflected in a younger generation.
I saw someone carrying the torch.
And carrying it well.
Congratulations to Xavier E. Harper, one of the newest recipients of the Joe Manns Black Wall Street Award.
The Black Wall Street Summit: National Black Business Month Edition
Featuring The Doni Glover Show LIVE and the Joe Manns Black Wall Street Awards
📅 Wednesday, August 5, 2026
🕕 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Justice Thurgood Marshall Amenity Center
1315 Division Street
Baltimore, Maryland 21217
Admission is free and open to the public.
RSVP: https://blackwallstreetsummit26.eventbrite.com
Founded in 2002, BMORENews has honored more than 3,000 leaders in nine cities through the Joe Manns Black Wall Street Awards, recognizing entrepreneurs, educators, clergy, nonprofit leaders, public servants, elected officials, and community builders who continue to strengthen Black communities through leadership, ownership, and service.
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