(BALTIMORE – January 5, 2026) – To God be the glory for the great things He has done. To God be the glory for the great things He has done, including allowing us to have Saturday’s Black Wall Street NEW YEAR Summit at the Downtown Cultural Arts Center. We thank God because nothing is possible without Him. The weather was perfect. The spirit was right because we began – as always – with an ecumenical prayer. My daddy said to always thank the Lord. And from there, we set off for a 4-hour journey into the lives and souls of…

(BALTIMORE – January 1, 2026) — While the nightly news too often reduces our young people to headlines of harm, this Saturday’s Black Wall Street New Year Summit offers a powerful counter-narrative — one rooted in excellence, discipline, creativity, and legacy. This year’s Summit proudly uplifts nine youth entrepreneurs whose work, vision, and initiative speak louder than any stereotype: Youth HonoreesMackenzie Olivia, Skylar Dandridge, David Dandridge III, Donovan Dandridge, Ayodele Oni, Raheem Pierce, Damani Taylor, Jernie Key, and Dream Thompson. “We are so very, very proud of our youth entrepreneurs,” said Doni Glover, founder of the Joe Manns Black Wall…

Six Young Entrepreneurs Proving Excellence is the Norm, Not the Exception (BALTIMORE – December 27, 2025) – The narrative is tired. Turn on the news, scroll social media, and you’d think our youth are lost. That’s a lie told so often it becomes background noise. But walk up to a DSD Concessions stand and meet Damani Taylor. Fifth grade. Makes snowballs with pride. Member of the Black Excellence Club, Kindness Club, Student Band, Soccer team, and School Safety Patrol Officer. Multiple school awards for being respectful, responsible, creating safe environments so others can learn. Damani doesn’t just work – she…

Six West Baltimore Icons Recognized for Decades of Service Creating Safe Space for Youth (BALTIMORE – December 27, 2025) – The Black Wall Street NEW YEAR Summit will honor six Cloverdale Basketball legends whose volunteer service spans decades of creating and maintaining a safe space for West Baltimore youth. Dr. Warren C. Hayman (Chair), Earl “Rocky” Garner (President), Walter Leslie (Vice President), William “Mr. Bill” Harris (Treasurer), John Chase (Secretary), and Dale Fauntleroy, Sgt. at Arms, will be recognized at the January 3rd, 2026 summit at Downtown Cultural Arts Center. At 93 years old, Dr. Hayman – a Coppin State…

Black Wall Street NEW YEAR Summit | January 3rd, 2026 Some people write to tell stories. These authors write to change lives. Dr. David Miller, Ed.D. leads the panel. With 14 children’s books to his credit, lectures across the US and Africa, and the groundbreaking Dare To Be King curriculum for Black boys, Dr. Miller turned decades in Baltimore City Public Schools into a literary mission. He mentored me. He mentors generations. Alexis Solis brings fresh perspective as a first-time author who’s also running for US Congress from Prince George’s County this June. She understands that representation happens on the…

Honoring Banking Pioneer Maggie Lena Walker; Mob The Block to Present; One Vendor Opportunity Remains (BALTIMORE – December 27, 2025) – The Black Wall Street NEW YEAR Summit honoring Maggie Lena Walker has drawn over 100 registered attendees from across the DMV and beyond, with participants confirmed from Baltimore, Pikesville, Silver Spring, Rosedale, Bowie, Washington D.C., Arlington, VA, and Nashville, TN. The free summit takes place January 3rd, 2026 at 10:00 AM at the Downtown Cultural Arts Center. The event honors Maggie Lena Walker, the first African American woman to charter a bank in the United States. In 1903, Walker…

(BALTIMORE – December 27, 2025) – The person taking the picture is Josh, the son of Joe Manns. Joe Manns is no longer with us physically, but his spirit stands strong – I tell ya! It was Leamon Best, a blind man, who led me to Joe. Leamon would come on our WOLB 1010 AM Tuesday morning show on Radio One Baltimore for years. He’d bring talent who’d sing. You see, Leamon hosted these talent shows that gave many people of all ages an opportunity to perform. Little Ashley – well, she’s a grown woman now – but she was…

Young Designer Brings Handmade Accessories Brand to January 3rd Summit (BALTIMORE – December 22, 2025) – Mackenzie, the 11-year-old founder of Mackenzie Olivia & Co., will be honored at the second annual Black Wall Street Youth Awards during the Black Wall Street New Year Summit 2026 on Saturday, January 3, 2026. The young entrepreneur has built a thriving handmade accessories business, designing and creating scrunchies, bows, and tote bags, along with custom pieces that showcase her creative vision and business acumen. Mackenzie recently showcased her business at the Acton Children’s Business Fair in November 2024 and is currently working on…

Economic Inclusion Evangelist to Address Entrepreneurs at January 3rd Event Honoring Maggie Lena Walker (BALTIMORE – December 22, 2025) – Towanda R. Livingston, Director of Supplier Development & Engagement at Constellation Energy, will deliver the closing message at the Black Wall Street NEW YEAR Summit 2026 on Saturday, January 3, 2026. The summit, presented by BMORENews.com, will honor the legacy of Maggie Lena Walker, America’s first female bank president, and celebrate Black entrepreneurship entering the new year. Livingston brings nearly three decades of transformative leadership in economic inclusion to the event’s closing session, providing attendees with strategic insights on building…

Ernie Graham Baltimore Basketball Legend | Lake Clifton & Dunbar High Schools | University of Maryland (BALTIMORE – December 21, 2025) – Ernie Graham stands as one of the greatest basketball talents Baltimore has ever produced—a towering figure whose journey from the playgrounds of East Baltimore to the rafters of the University of Maryland embodies both the heights of athletic excellence and the power of redemption. Growing up in the North Avenue/Greenmount Avenue corridor as the second-oldest of five children, Graham found his calling on the basketball court at age 12, playing in the CYO program at St. Ann’s Catholic…