(BALTIMORE – July 3, 2026) — For more than a century, the Greater Baltimore Urban League has stood at the forefront of the fight for economic opportunity and civil rights.
Today, one of the leaders carrying that legacy forward is Tershea “Shea” Rice.
Rice, the Interim President & CEO of the Greater Baltimore Urban League (GBUL), will be honored with the Joe Manns Black Wall Street Award during the Black Wall Street Summit: National Black Business Month Edition, Wednesday, August 5, 2026, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the PS 103 Thurgood Marshall Amenity Center in Baltimore.
Presented by BMORENews and BlackUSA.News, the Summit brings together leaders from government, business, education, media, real estate, and the nonprofit community to explore one important question:
How do we create and sustain lasting progress?
For Shea Rice, the answer begins with economic mobility.
She believes economic opportunity is one of the defining civil rights issues of our time—a philosophy that guides her leadership every day.
A proud Baltimore native and U.S. Navy veteran, Rice has dedicated her career to expanding opportunity through workforce development, entrepreneurship, youth leadership, and community investment.
As Interim President and CEO of the Greater Baltimore Urban League, she oversees one of Maryland’s oldest and most respected civil rights organizations while leading an ambitious effort to establish the organization’s permanent headquarters at 512 Orchard Street, a transformational investment in Baltimore’s future.
Under her leadership, the Urban League has expanded its reach, serving more than 1,500 individuals through workforce, entrepreneurship, youth, and civic engagement programs while helping more than 40 small businesses access capital, technical assistance, and resources needed to grow.
Those numbers represent more than statistics.
They represent families finding stability.
Entrepreneurs finding opportunity.
Young people discovering purpose.
And neighborhoods becoming stronger.
“Shea understands that strong communities are built by creating opportunity,” said Doni Glover, founder of the Joe Manns Black Wall Street Awards. “Whether she’s helping entrepreneurs, preparing people for the workforce, or strengthening one of Baltimore’s most historic institutions, she’s focused on building pathways that allow people to succeed.”
That commitment extends beyond the Urban League.
Rice is the founder of Shea Rice LLC, where she speaks and consults on leadership, resilience, and economic empowerment. She also founded a sanitation company, demonstrating her belief that entrepreneurship remains one of the most powerful tools for building generational wealth and independence.
She is also the host of Voices of the People, a podcast highlighting authentic stories and diverse voices from throughout Baltimore.
Anyone who has spent time with Shea knows one thing immediately: she connects with people.
She leads with authenticity.
She builds trust.
She makes people feel seen.
Those qualities have helped her modernize programs, strengthen partnerships, and expand the Urban League’s impact across Baltimore and throughout Maryland.
Her leadership reflects the very spirit the Joe Manns Black Wall Street Awards were created to celebrate.
The awards recognize individuals who strengthen communities through entrepreneurship, education, public service, economic development, and civic leadership.
Shea Rice exemplifies each of those ideals.
As Baltimore continues writing its next chapter, leaders like Shea remind us that economic justice is not simply about creating jobs.
It’s about creating hope.
It’s about creating ownership.
And it’s about ensuring that every family has the opportunity to build a better future.
Event Information
Black Wall Street Summit: National Black Business Month Edition
Wednesday, August 5, 2026
6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
PS 103 Thurgood Marshall Amenity Center
Baltimore, Maryland
Presented by BMORENews and BlackUSA.News
The evening will feature The Doni Glover Show LIVE, leadership forums, networking opportunities, and the presentation of the Joe Manns Black Wall Street Awards, celebrating individuals who are creating lasting impact throughout Baltimore and beyond.
🎟 RSVP: BlackWallStreetSummit26.eventbrite.com
For more than 100 years, the Greater Baltimore Urban League has helped open doors for countless families. Under Shea Rice’s leadership, that mission continues with renewed energy, bold vision, and an unwavering commitment to economic empowerment.
That is the spirit of Black Wall Street.
And that is why Tershea “Shea” Rice is a Joe Manns Black Wall Street Award honoree.
