(WASHINGTON D.C. – April 9, 2024) “We often are conditioned with the idea that, ‘in order to win some, we have to lose some’, but maybe there are times when the paradigm changes and we look for the win-win.”  – K. Jackson.  These are the wise words from Professor Kirabo Jackson, Special Advisor to the President on Economics.  He and I had a brief conversation today about the President’s Plan for relief to those burdened with Student Loans — many of whom first incurred these loans when they were barely 18/19 years old.  Think about that. These oftentimes are individuals…

(WASHINGTON D.C. – April 5, 2024)  The thunderous sound was both booming and awe-inspiring. It was a cold and drizzly day, with intermittent sprinkles adding to the chill in the air. The President of the United States flew overhead in his specialty, super-modern helicopter. It was gigantic, with twin rotors spinning outstretched from the plane like wings, positioned to spin overhead. From a distance, it almost resembled a drone due to its shape, but as it approached its magnificence and volume became increasingly evident. The President, accompanied by the Governor of Maryland, Wes Moore, surveyed the aftermath of the massive…

(BALTIMORE – April 8, 2024) – On this last day of the 2024 Maryland General Assembly, we think it’s important to give our supporters some important information about the forces that shape the political landscape in Annapolis. As many of you know, our major focus was defending the progress that Maryland made over the past couple of years on juvenile justice reform. Maryland is among the worst states in the US regarding the violation of the human rights of children. Even though Maryland is a Democratic Party stronghold, the majority of the children in Maryland are non-white, which would explain…

(WASHINGTON D.C. – April 1, 2024) – Imagine the scene… … with gray skies overhead and intermittent drizzle throughout the day, the outdoor temperature barely peaking over 45°F, conditions that would prompt most to remain indoors, 20,000 Americans from all walks of life still chose to converge on the South Lawn of the White House to enjoy the festive spirit and good vibes of the Annual Easter Egg Celebration. The air and the energy were rife with positivity and goodwill.  So, imagine the surprise when two individuals, not 200 yards away, began an intense screaming match. Based on the very…

By Doni Glover, Publisher (BALTIMORE – November 4, 2023) – In the heart of West Baltimore lies the Sandtown-Winchester community, a place with a rich history of faith-based and community-engaged efforts aimed at bringing about positive change and development. The community, often overshadowed by its more prominent neighbor, Penn-North, has seen its fair share of challenges and triumphs over the years. However, recent developments in the Sandtown-Winchester area raise questions about transparency, community involvement, and accountability in the name of progress. The story of Sandtown-Winchester begins in the 1990s when a surge of investments from nonprofit organizations and foundations ushered…

By Alexis Coates (BALTIMORE – November 1, 2023) – Baltimore City stands at a crossroads, grappling with a myriad of issues that demand immediate attention and decisive action. The Inner Harbor, once a beacon of prosperity, now languishes, overshadowed by the shadows of violence that haunt our streets. Our children, the promise of our future, face the harsh reality of a city marred by senseless killings and the ever-looming threat of becoming victims themselves. High crime rates, mismanagement of vacant homes, and the stark disparity between the affluent and the struggling create a disconcerting landscape. The divide between neighborhoods, symbolized by…

(BALTIMORE – October 23, 2023) – For 41 years, the Bea Gaddy Family Center’s annual Thanksgiving dinner has been a symbol of unity, compassion, and generosity in East Baltimore. It has brought together people from all walks of life, transcending racial and socio-economic boundaries, to celebrate the spirit of the holiday by sharing a warm meal. The recent news of its relocation to the Cherry Hill neighborhood is met with mixed feelings, and it raises questions about the city’s priorities and commitment to its most vulnerable residents.The Bea Gaddy Family Center, a community-based nonprofit organization, has tirelessly served the people…

(BALTIMORE – October 23, 2023) – The Sandtown-Winchester Community is a lovely swath of 72 square blocks in Historic West Baltimore. From North and Monroe to North and Carey south to Lafayette Avenue – with a couple of tweaks. It is nestled between Matthew Henson Community to the west, Penn-North at the top, Druid Heights and Upton to the east, and Harlem Park to the south. It is the Home of the Freeloaders Social Club, the Historic Sharon Baptist Church, Simmons Memorial Baptist, New Song Learning Center, Gilmor Homes, St. Gregory the Great, and St. Peter Claver Catholic Church. We are…

(BALTIMORE – October 23, 2023) – The recent announcement that Baltimore has been selected as a federal tech hub for artificial intelligence and biotechnology is undoubtedly a moment of excitement for the city. It promises to bring forth substantial investment and create thousands of jobs, which is great news for the region. However, as African Americans, we must critically examine whether this new tech hub truly has room for us or if it will perpetuate the longstanding disconnect between the African American community and the broader city of Baltimore. The potential economic impact and job creation are significant, but we must…

(WASHINGTON, DC – October 16, 2023) – Imagine telling your boss that you’ll complete less than half of the work that’s needed, getting almost nothing done over 12 months, then asking for a raise. That’s essentially the story of the 77 utility companies still most heavily invested in fossil fuel-fired electric plants, according to a report last week by the Sierra Club and Bloomberg Philanthropies. The utilities plan to replace only 30 percent of that coal and gas with clean energy by 2030, and more than half of them have made no progress since last year. For example, We Energies announced…