(BALTIMORE – August 7, 2025) – Baltimore is more than a city. It’s a proving ground. It’s a crucible of grit, grace, and relentless grind. Out of this fire come individuals who don’t just survive—they transcend. Five brothers in particular come to mind: Ben Johnson, David Miller, Akio Evans, Choo Smith, and Mario Armstrong. These men aren’t just success stories. They are Baltimore in motion. Ben Johnson You haven’t truly experienced a circus until you’ve been to the UniverSoul Circus. And you haven’t truly understood the UniverSoul until you’ve heard Ben Johnson’s story. A son of Edmondson Avenue, Ben’s work is more than entertainment—it’s a celebration of Black culture, history, and excellence. He didn’t just join the circus. He helped redefine what it could be. Dr. David Miller To understand David Miller, you’ve got to know his mentor, Ademola Ekulona. A rites of passage program changed David’s life, helping steer him from the trauma of watching his best friend gunned down outside O’Dell’s. Today, he’s Dr. David Miller—author of 15+ children’s books, educator in Ghana, and a national voice for our boys and girls. He didn’t just survive—he transformed. Akio Evans If you don’t know East Baltimore, you don’t fully know Akio. You’d have to walk down Eager Street, Holbrook and Hoffman, feel the crunch of glass underfoot, and catch the breeze off the harbor. Akio took that energy and poured it into art, turning pain into purpose. He went from dodging warrants on the West Coast to international acclaim—sharing his work in Australia and snapping pics with A-list celebs. He faced his demons, and he won. Choo Smith Sure, the world knows Choo as a Harlem Globetrotter. But I know him as the man who mentored Meadowlark Lemon in his final days—and who lights up a room full of kids like nobody else. Choo has spent decades pouring into youth and community. His accolades are many: Presidential Service Awards, Hall of Fame inductions, leadership roles with retired players’ associations. But ask him what matters most? He’ll point to the family of a child he coached who was killed—and the fact that he showed up for them. That’s who Choo is. Now, he’s spearheading a $120 million “Choo Smith CommuniVersity” development with Ray Lewis, planned for 52 cities. Just weeks after losing his mother, he kept moving. That’s not just resilience. That’s divine purpose. Mario Armstrong Before AfroTech was a hashtag, Mario Armstrong was putting Baltimore on the tech map. Writing, reporting, broadcasting—he did it all. He pitched a show to WMAR and landed it. Then he leveled up to the Today Show. Mario’s a media force—equal parts entrepreneur and evangelist for Black brilliance. Think Tyrone Taborn for the next generation. These five brothers are more than individuals—they are a movement. They’ve taken their pain and their promise, their Baltimore battle scars and blessings, and built something unstoppable. They didn’t conform. They carved new lanes. They bet on themselves. And they won. Ben kept a circus going—even without animals. Choo…
(BALTIMORE – August 5, 2025) – On Saturday, September 6, 2025, BMORENews.com will once again host the BMORE Black Business…
The Living, Who Refuse to Join The Walking Dead (BALTIMORE – August 3, 2025) – Not another roundtable of buzzwords.Not…
GYIFT is proud to be a facilitator for the Stephen V. Pearce Scholarship Fund at the University of Virginia. For more information about Stephen and…
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(BALTIMORE – July 18, 2025) — In the wake of a mass overdose incident that sent 27 people to local hospitals, BMORENews.com has published an exclusive in-depth feature titled “Penn-North…
(BALTIMORE – May 12, 2025) – In my world of media, business, and politics in Baltimore, there has never been a greater champion for Black-owned businesses than Robert Lee “Bob” Clay. He was shot to death on May 16, 2005. Officially, it was labeled a suicide. But the facts don’t add up. Bob was right-handed. Yet the bullet entered the left side of his head. That defies logic. At the time, then-Mayor Martin O’Malley was campaigning hard for the Governor’s seat in the 2006 election. And Bob Clay? He was campaigning just as hard against him — running up and down…
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(BALTIMORE – May 11, 2025) – In case you haven’t heard the news, BMORENews.com publisher Doni Glover is on TV again! That’s right! G. Grant Griffin Media presents The Doni Glover Show on Sundays at 5:30 am on WMAR-TV2 in Baltimore. Special thanks to Frank Johnson, Calvin Watkins, and Terrance Smalls, Jr. Missed it? See the shows on demand below: Doni Glover TV Show: Dr. Al Hathaway, Saidah Spinner, & Marsha Jews Doni Glover TV Show: AFRO’s Who’s Who in Black Baltimore Doni Glover TV Show: Mayor Brandon Scott at Afro’s “Who’s Who in Black Baltimore” Event Doni Glover TV…
(BALTIMORE – May 11, 2025) – In light of all that this current administration has done to demean and degrade Black people in America, I want to take a moment and thank all of the Black women on this Mother’s Day! Nobody tells y’all that you are the mother of humanity. Hell naw! Especially in America. This society doesn’t revere you like it should, even though you give life to us all. Maybe I’ve read too many history books because the image of a Black woman breastfeeding white plantation owners’ babies sticks in my mind like ‘dirty rice.’ The brutal reality…
(RANDALLSTOWN – May 10, 2025) – DEAR COMMUNITY STAKEHOLDER: Three years ago, I started and chaired VOTE4MORE, a grassroots effort to expand the number of Council districts in Baltimore County. Let’s make history together over the next two weeks as we recommend the new map to grow from 7 to 9 County Council seats, and diversify Baltimore County’s governing body to include more minorities and women. Please encourage others you know to attend one or both of the final two Baltimore County Redistricting Commission public hearings. Since both hearings will be held “in person” only, not virtually, you must…
Sundays at 5:30 am on WMAR TV-2 (BALTIMORE) Watch full video on YouTube
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A Celebration of Legacy, Leadership & Black Excellence 📅 Friday, June 27 | 7–10 PM📍 Baltimore Unity Hall | 1505 Eutaw Place Join us for a night to remember as we honor Doni Glover’s 60th birthday—a milestone moment celebrating his legacy of journalism, activism, and community empowerment. Doni Glover 6.0 isn’t just a birthday party—it’s a bold celebration of Black excellence, resilience, and purpose. Set in the heart of Baltimore, this evening will spotlight the Joe Manns Black Wall Street Awards, recognizing trailblazing Black entrepreneurs and community leaders making history today. Honorees include Michael Cryor, Gary Witherspoon, Marc Steiner, and…
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