(BALTIMORE – July 3, 2026) — This year’s class of Joe Manns Black Wall Street Award honorees is filled with dynamic, emerging leaders—people I’ve had the privilege of working alongside and watching grow. I can tell you with confidence: our future is bright. In politics, you can earn a bachelor’s degree, a master’s degree, or even a Ph.D. in political science. But the truth is, you don’t really learn politics until you’ve worked on a campaign. That’s where the rubber meets the road. That’s where the textbook ends, and real life begins. On this year’s campaign trail, I had the…

(BALTIMORE – July 3, 2026) – Every day, I have the extraordinary privilege of speaking with excellence. Not occasionally. Daily. Just a couple of days ago, my phone rang. On the other end was our beloved former president of Coppin State University, Dr. Calvin Burnett. He opened the conversation with a smile in his voice. “Usually, you’re checking on me,” he said. “This time, I’m checking on you.” Ninety-four years old and still loving life. Conversations like that nourish my spirit. Yesterday, I stopped by Benedetto Haberdashery to film Kevin Scott. We recorded another edition of our “Cold-Blooded Sneakerhead Challenge,”…

(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…

Daughter of education pioneer Dr. Sterling Keyes, the retired Baltimore jurist redefines justice through accountability, presence, and an unshakable belief in people. (BALTIMORE – July 2, 2026) – Judge Wanda Heard does not believe justice ends at sentencing. For her, probation is not paperwork. It is a promise. “I put them on probation,” she says. “That’s my responsibility. I sentenced them. I signed the probation papers. Why am I not responsible to the person who’s on probation just like they’re responsible to me to do what they’re told?” That philosophy sets her apart. Inside her courtroom, there are rules. Structure.…

(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…

Discover why the Black vote is crucial and the impact of voter turnout. We explore strategies to increase participation and ensure … Watch full video on YouTube

(BALTIMORE – June 29, 2026) — Yesterday, I attended the James Mosher Baseball Crab Feast. I left full. Not because of the crabs. Because of the memories. Walking around Putty Hill, I wasn’t just seeing old baseball players. I was seeing little boys all over again. Boys who are now grandfathers. Boys who became preachers, businessmen, teachers, fathers, elected officials, coaches, and community leaders. James Mosher Baseball did that. Growing up, there was a pitcher named Craig. Tall. Chocolate brother. If he was on the mound, you knew you were in for a long afternoon. He was one of the…