The Mayor for Life used government contracts, development opportunities and political power to build Washington, D.C.’s Black business class. (BALTIMORE – July 20, 2026) – Invariably, when I meet people from Washington, D.C., and the conversation turns to Marion Barry, I hear some version of the same statement: “Marion Barry gave me my first job.” I have heard it repeatedly from Washingtonians of different ages and backgrounds. To me, that is one of the most revealing measures of the man’s legacy. Long before “workforce development” became fashionable political language, Marion Barry understood that a young person’s first job could change the trajectory of an entire life. His Summer Youth Employment Program opened that door for more than 100,000 young Washingtonians over the years. Future Prince George’s County Executive Rushern Baker was reportedly among those who received an early job through Barry’s program. But Marion Barry did not stop at creating workers. He helped create owners. He understood something that too many political leaders still fail to grasp: Black political power is incomplete unless it produces Black economic power. From Less Than 5 Percent to Approximately 40 Percent When Barry became mayor of Washington in 1979, Black residents made up the majority of the city’s population, yet minority-owned businesses received less than 5 percent of District government contracting and procurement dollars. That disparity was not the result of Black businesses lacking talent, discipline or ambition. Black contractors had been systematically excluded from the relationships, financing, bonding capacity and government experience required to compete for major public contracts. Barry set out to change that. His administration aggressively implemented the District’s minority-contracting program, requiring government agencies and companies doing business with the city to include minority-owned firms. He used the purchasing power of the District government to open industries that had historically been closed to Black entrepreneurs. By 1985, the city was awarding approximately $185 million annually to minority-owned businesses. By 1989, hundreds of minority firms were receiving approximately 40 percent of District contract dollars—about $233 million that year. Barry later said minority participation reached 47 percent. Whether the precise peak was 40, 45 or 47 percent, the transformation is undeniable. Marion Barry moved minority contracting from the margins of District government into the center of its economic-development strategy. He Was Interested in Ownership Barry did not limit his vision to construction jobs or small subcontracts. His administration opened opportunities in real estate, municipal bonds, law, accounting, consulting, supplies and other professional services. He pressured developers seeking to do business with Washington to include Black firms and Black equity partners. He expected financial institutions and Wall Street companies benefiting from District business to place Black professionals in meaningful positions. He was not satisfied with Black people simply working on a project. He wanted Black people owning part of the project, providing its professional services and participating in the decisions that determined where the money went. A job can produce income. Ownership can produce assets, equity, employment, influence and generational wealth. Marion Barry understood…
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(WOODLAWN, MD – July 8, 2026) — Every summer, the 1 Baltimore Cookout brings together generations of Baltimoreans to celebrate community, reconnect with old friends, and preserve one of the city’s…
(NEW YORK – July 2, 2026) – Black journalism has never lacked talent. What it has often lacked is visibility. For more than 198 years, Black-owned newspapers, magazines, radio stations, television networks, and digital publishers have documented our communities, challenged injustice, celebrated achievement, and preserved the history of Black America. Yet in today’s digital landscape—where search engines, algorithms, and social media increasingly determine what people read—many of those trusted voices struggle to reach broader audiences. That challenge inspired the next evolution of BlackUSA.News. The national news platform has unveiled a redesigned website that serves as a gateway to some of the…
(BALTIMORE – July 2, 2026) — Some people work in economic development. Charlyn Nater lives it. A tireless advocate for entrepreneurs, neighborhood revitalization, and community empowerment, Nater 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, media, education, real estate, and the nonprofit community to answer one important question: How do we create and…
BALTIMORE — Economic development isn’t always about skyscrapers, billion-dollar projects, or ribbon cuttings. Sometimes it’s about preparing people for careers, connecting neighborhoods to opportunity, and ensuring that the economic benefits of a growing city reach everyone. That is the work of Mia Blom. The Senior Director of Government and Community Affairs for Visit Baltimore and Executive Director of the Visit Baltimore Education and Training Foundation 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, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the PS 103…
(BALTIMORE – July 1, 2026) — Curtis Dunham is a man who has earned his stripes — and then some. A Baltimore native who grew up in the rough streets of the city, Dunham refused to let his environment define his destiny. He survived a neighborhood that claimed many, navigated the prison system, lost a son, and still came out standing — and smiling. “I just don’t break,” he says simply. “I just started working. I started looking out for myself.” Now in his 60s, Dunham works at the Port of Baltimore, driving trucks off the ships — a CDL-certified…
Derrick Whiting to Receive Joe Manns Black Wall Street Award at Black Wall Street Summit (BALTIMORE – July 1, 2026) — When people talk about second chances, Derrick Whiting talks about first responsibilities. For years, the Baltimore civic leader has quietly become one of the city’s most respected voices on reentry, trauma-informed care, criminal justice reform, and community empowerment. On Wednesday, August 5, Whiting will be recognized with the Joe Manns Black Wall Street Award during the Black Wall Street Summit: National Black Business Month Edition, hosted by BMORENews and BlackUSA.News at the PS 103 Thurgood Marshall Amenity Center. The…
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(BALTIMORE, MD – June 29, 2026) — For years, while many talked about expanding opportunity in Baltimore County, Linda Dorsey Walker organized, researched, testified, educated, and pushed elected officials to confront one of the county’s most important questions: Who gets represented? On August 5, Linda Dorsey-Walker will be honored with the Joe Manns Black Wall Street Award during the Black Wall Street Summit at the Thurgood Marshall Amenity Center in Baltimore. The award recognizes individuals whose leadership strengthens Black communities through business, civic engagement, education, public service, and institution building. Few have devoted more time to increasing Black political representation…
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The Architect’s Great-Niece (BALTIMORE – July 2026) — Where I come from, we didn’t make excuses. We took the hand we were dealt. We learned gratitude for what we had. We studied. We worked. We saved. We prayed. We respected our elders. We were taught to say “Yes, ma’am.” “No, sir.” “Excuse me.” “Thank you.” And we were taught something else that seems to get lost today. Leadership is responsibility. Responsibility carries consequences. And no community survives very long unless its people understand one simple truth: Your neighbor is your natural ally. You don’t have to agree on everything. You…
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