In a recent conversation, I made a statement that raised eyebrows: Baltimore has some of the most politically astute citizens in America. Look no further than Legislative District 45. More than a dozen Democratic candidates have filed for Central Committee alone. That level of engagement is not accidental. It reflects a community that understands power — not just at the top of the ballot, but inside the party structure itself. That is political literacy. That is civic awareness. That is Baltimore. Meanwhile, In Baltimore County… Contrast that with Baltimore County. There are competitive races in Councilmanic Districts 2, 3, and…

(BALTIMORE – February 26, 2026) – What a privilege it is to know so many upwardly mobile people in Baltimore. We may not always see it because we live here. But when you travel to other cities, it becomes obvious: melanated people in Baltimore have a distinct flavor — marked by an indomitable desire to win against any and all odds. That’s a Baltimore hustler.One who can make something out of nothing — and sell it like hotcakes. An entrepreneur is someone with the audacity to think beyond the box, beyond the visible horizon, and envision something unimaginably phenomenal. According…

From Thurgood Marshall to the brothers on the Avenue — Baltimore’s Black community has always been built on strength. (BALTIMORE – February 22, 2026) – I see my young brothers standing on the Avenue, trying to find their way out of this concrete jungle. It has to be intimidating when a GED feels out of reach, when graduation feels distant, and when three squares and a cot can look like temporary relief from street life. But contrary to mainstream narratives, Baltimore is not all gloom and doom. While some young rappers say they come from the bottom, I say this…

BMORENews.com Joe Manns Black Wall Street Awards — ✦ — With an Open Hand A Tribute to R.E. Harrington — and to Everyone Who Gives Without Being Asked By Doni Glover | BMORENews.com — ✦ — (BALTIMORE – February 17, 2026) – R.E. Harrington has supported our efforts at BMORENews.com for years without asking. That sentence deserves to stand alone for a moment — because in the world of independent Black media and community entrepreneurship, support like that is never just a check. It is a statement of faith. It is a man saying, without saying it: I believe in what…

How DNA, Genealogy, and Oral History Are Uniting a New Generation Reclaiming Their Identity (BALTIMORE – February 12, 2026) – More than anything, this show has become a common meeting ground — a space for people with an expanded understanding of who they are and how they see America. When we published our first piece last October on Albert Perry’s DNA, we knew we were touching something deep. Nearly 2,000 readers engaged with the story of a South Carolina man whose Y-chromosome — haplogroup A00, dating back more than 300,000 years — forced geneticists to reconsider the timeline of human…

(BALTIMORE – February 10, 2026) – My best friend, Anthony “Marty” Williams, passed away 13 years ago. His birthday would have been Saturday, February 7th — he would have turned 61. Marty devoted his life to uplifting young men in Baltimore, raising money so they could afford a college education. That spirit lives on through his son, Aris Williams, who just launched a new app called “Be-More” in his father’s honor. Here is what Aris had to say: Today, my father would have been 61! He devoted much of his life to raising money to help young men in Baltimore…

(BALTIMORE – February 10, 2026) – Twenty-five years of building a business, building a brand — in Downtown Baltimore. Meticulously coordinated by a most gifted melanated man of a million colors, Benedetto Haberdashery proudly presents men in the region with a dazzling array of menswear. Those seeking a step above go to 119 W. Mulberry Street. The reputation precedes it. You like skins? He’s got skins. You like furs? He’s got them, too. And belts, hats, handkerchiefs, scarves, slacks, blazers, overcoats, and a dazzling display of various in-season suits to fit a customer’s demand. Make no mistake: Kevin Scott is…

(BALTIMORE – February 1, 2026) – A young, wise soldier said to me yesterday: “I have never seen politics fix the ‘hood.” It stopped me dead in my tracks. I had to pause. Now, I understand his frustration more than many. I knew his efforts to transform East Baltimore well. I saw his work for years. He worked with youth. Mothers adored him. Yet, after all of his efforts, he said he had to relocate. The systems failed him. I get that. But walking away means those same systems keep failing the next person. So, after some thought – I gotta…

(RANDALLSTOWN – REVISED – January 26, 2026) – Damon Hughes built something powerful at Baltimore County government. As director of the Minority Business Enterprise office under Jim Smith, he created a world-class MBE/WBE program that achieved the highest level of county spending for minority and women-owned businesses ever. He was aggressive with his goal-setting. He rejected waiver requests. County leaders thought he went too far. But we in the MBE/WBE business community praised him because he was getting results. He made sure Black businesses ate – unapologetically. Then, Kevin Kamenetz eliminated the Office of Fair Practices. Damon continued his MBE…

A gathering at The Mill on North Avenue brought together childhood friends from Easterwood Park to celebrate life and remember those lost to the streets (BALTIMORE – January 17, 2026) – A shout-out in heaven to Darryl Motley and Lil Reggie. A.D., Chucky, Timmy, Black George. You are missed and not forgotten. Marty … Stewart … There are countless other names as we’ve become more seasoned. It comes with age. “When I was a child, I spake as a child. When I became a man, I put away childish things.” That’s what the word says. It also says a friend…