Award winning STEM professional, author, mentor, chess enthusiast, wife and mother
(BALTIMORE – December 22, 2024) – Be sure to attend the Black Wall Street New Year EMPOWERMENT SUMMIT on Saturday, January 4, 2025, from 10 am to 2 pm at the Sankofa Children’s Museum of African Cultures at 4330 Pimlico Rd. This will be an inspiring event filled with workshops, speakers, networking opportunities, and, of course, the coveted Joe Manns Black Wall Street Awards. This event is presented by BMORENews.com, the West North Avenue Development Authority (WNADA), and Fulton Bank.
RSVP to BlackWallStreetSummit2025.eventbrite.com.
Honorees receiving the Joe Manns Black Wall Street Awards include Maria Thorpe.
Who is Maria?
Maria Thorpe currently works for the Federal Government as an executive. She is also a real estate professional, business owner, speaker, mentor and co-author. She believes in giving back to her community and has mentored numerous students and professionals in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM).
Maria is a seasoned engineer, celebrated international best-selling co-author, and a dynamic real estate professional known for her strategic acumen and unparalleled insight. With a passion for guiding emerging talents, she serves as a mentor and captivating speaker, sharing her wealth of knowledge and experience with eager audiences worldwide. Additionally, she co-owns the Waldorf Chess Club, fostering an environment that nurtures young minds in critical thinking and problem-solving. Maria’s diverse expertise exemplifies her dedication to technical excellence and nurturing talent, underscoring her commitment to fostering growth and innovation in all her endeavors. Her collaborative spirit and visionary leadership continue to shape industries and inspire individuals to reach their highest potential.
For twenty-plus years, Maria has been involved with STEM activities and the education of our youth. She has worked tirelessly, mentoring students, speaking at schools and career fairs, providing tours of her labs, and having students shadow her to experience a day in the life of an engineer. She was even invited to the White House, under President Obama, to discuss STEM careers with underrepresented students. These activities over the years have had her engage thousands of students.
She has spoken at events, including local schools and colleges, inspiring students and women to be the best they can be with the gifts and talents that God has given them. She talked about identifying and using your inner strengths in her first book collaboration, Unleash Your Superpower: 6 extraordinary Stories on Discovering and Accepting the Power Within. Since then, Maria has written five additional books about leadership and empowerment and is working on her seventh. Maria Thorpe leads a girl’s mentoring program, teaching young ladies about the four pillars of success, which are to:
(1) Know Yourself (2) Dream Big (3) Overcome Obstacles and (4) Take Action.
Through the program, she assists individuals in developing confidence, connections, and career clarity to live their most awesome life.
Ms. Thorpe is the co-owner of The Waldorf Chess Club Inc., which she founded with her husband. She works with kids as young as five, teaching them how to find their inner strength through chess. In addition to critical thinking and strategic planning skills, people learn to hone their decision-making, and youngsters learn confidence and goal setting. The Club is open to anyone interested in learning to play chess for private lessons, casual play, and tournament play.
Ms. Thorpe is a graduate of Naval Post Graduate School, Senior Leader Seminar; Leadership Southern MD, the Federal Executive Institute (FEI), National Defense University, Industrial College of the Armed Forces (ICAF) with a Master of Science in National Resource Strategy, Pennsylvania State University with a Master of Engineering, Engineering Science degree and a graduate of Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering.
Ms. Thorpe has received numerous awards and honors, including but not limited to the following: the 2024 Women of Heart Award for STEM Leadership, 2024 Blacks in Government Meritorious Civilian Award, the 2023 Woman of Color, Community Service Award, 2022 Dept of the Navy HBCU/MI program Administrating Office of the Year; 2021 Maryland Mother of the Year; The Carolyn E. Parker Foundation, Legacy Leader Award; The Black Engineer of the Year Award for Community Service; Department of Defense Women’s History Month STEM Role Model Award; The Women of Color Technology & Defense Award for Outstanding Achievements in Government; and the Equal Employment Opportunity Honorary Award, for Excellence in Leadership.
Maria is a native of Philadelphia, PA, and lives in Waldorf, MD. Ms. Thorpe is married to Roland Jr. and has two sons, Roland III and Malcolm.
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