(BALTIMORE – October 1, 2026) — I cannot speak for anyone else, but for me, Wednesday night, September 30, at Colin’s Seafood & Grill was a very special occasion. My accountant, Joan Pratt, was there. Best accountant in town, if you ask me. Her CPA firm is right there in Northeast Baltimore, not far from Colin’s. My seventh- and eighth-grade English teacher, Catherine B. Orange, was there, too. We knew her from Lemmel. Others in the room, including Jet Miller, knew her from City College. People I went to school with nearly 50 years ago came out. We broke bread.…

(BALTIMORE – September 30, 2026) – Saturday’s Black Wall Street Expo was riddled with rain. Still, business went on. That morning, Jacqui Cummings already had a message ready for callers asking whether the event would be canceled. Even with the weather threatening everything she had worked to bring together, she was handling business. That’s Jacqui! Jacqui Cummings is the mompreneur who founded Notre Maison, a nonprofit serving young adults in Baltimore. She is also a woman who pours her time, energy, and resources into helping Black-owned businesses succeed. Anybody can imagine how she must have felt Saturday. I know I…

(BALTIMORE – September 29, 2026) – Recently, I had the opportunity to speak with journalism students at Morgan State University’s School of Global Journalism. When the class ended, Shayla Stephens came up to introduce herself. She followed up afterward, too. That stayed with me. Shayla is a journalism major with a minor in political science and a young woman deeply engaged in Baltimore. Her commitment to advocacy began when she participated in local Black Lives Matter protests. She has continued to serve through food drives and donation efforts. Now she wants to use journalism to tell the stories of people…

(BALTIMORE – September 23, 2026) – I have often said that if you get one true friend in this world, you are rich. Omega Psi Phi Fraternity expresses it this way: “Friendship is essential to the soul.” When I look at the photograph taken after Wednesday’s BMORENews.com press conference, that message comes alive. I see my godbrother, Bishop Kevia Fernando Elliott; my dear friend Renny Bass; Symbolie; and Jacqui Cummings. Their friendship has stood the test of time. They are true blue—A1 from day one. They have supported BMORENews.com in ways that go beyond words. They have supported us through action.…

(BALTIMORE – September 9, 2026) – But God. But for God’s grace—receiving what I do not deserve—and His mercy—not receiving what I do deserve—I am here today as a living miracle. And in my hands is my newest baby: the newest addition to the BMORENews legacy—the inaugural print edition of the BMORENews.com newspaper. For nearly 25 years, BMORENews.com has reported “THE NEWS BEFORE THE NEWS.” We have grown from a Baltimore-based website into a multimedia platform producing journalism, interviews, radio, television, podcasts, premium video, social media content, live events—and now, once again, newsprint. Presenting the newspaper to Mr. Eddie at…

Baltimore Basketball Leader to Receive Joe Manns Black Wall Street Award (BALTIMORE – September 21, 2026) — Simon Edwards, a Baltimore-born former Division I basketball player, coach, motivational speaker and community leader, will be honored at Black Wall Street COLIN’S on Wednesday, September 30, 2026, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Colin’s Seafood & Grill. Edwards’ basketball journey began in Baltimore, where he learned the game at the historic Bentalou Recreation Center under the mentorship of Coach Herman. He also credits “Mr. Bill” at Cloverdale with helping shape his development. After attending Towson Catholic High School, Edwards continued his career…

(BALTIMORE – September 20, 2026) – A woman called me out on Facebook, and I will be honest: She pissed me off. She challenged me over my support for David Bramble, the West Baltimore native and co-founder of MCB Real Estate whose company acquired Harborplace and is involved in major development along West North Avenue. She questioned why people conflate MCB’s interests with those of Baltimore’s Black residents. She pointed out that MCB is not an MBE. She questioned the relationship between Bramble and Mayor Brandon Scott. She even compared Bramble to Ronald Lipscomb. Then she wrote, “Come on, Doni.…

(BALTIMORE – September 18, 2026) — Jacqui Cummings is at it again. For nearly two decades, Cummings and her NMConnects.org team have worked to transform West 25th Street into a thriving corridor for Black-owned businesses. Her influence stretches from Charles Street toward Howard Street, with much of her work centered near 25th and Maryland Avenue. Twice each year, weather permitting, that commitment comes alive through the Black Wall Street Expo—an outdoor marketplace featuring several blocks of Black vendors, food, art, music, and community fellowship. The next Black Wall Street Expo will be held Saturday, September 26, 2026, from noon to…

(BALTIMORE – September 16, 2026) — Tarase Whetstone, founder of T Whetstone Connects, will be honored with a Joe Manns Black Wall Street Award at Black Wall Street COLIN’S. Whetstone is a Baltimore-based event host, master of ceremonies, community connector, and entrepreneur who has built her brand around bringing people together. Through T Whetstone Connects, she has supported live entertainment, community initiatives, nonprofit programs, conferences, fundraisers, weddings, and small-business events. Whether she is commanding a stage, coordinating an event, or connecting people with valuable resources and opportunities, Whetstone brings energy, professionalism, and a genuine love for community. Known for her…

The city has the institutions, talent and emerging leadership to become a world-class technology and business hub—but only if Baltimore improves efficiency, celebrates enterprise and moves Black businesses from participation to power (BALTIMORE – September 16, 2026)—A decade ago, the operative term was “biotech.” Today, researchers, entrepreneurs and investors are talking about algorithms, artificial intelligence, wearable technology and quantum computing. “Data centers” is the new topic du jour at the water fountain. The language has changed because the economy is changing. Baltimore has an opportunity to become a major technology and business hub. We already have many of the ingredients.…