By Doni Glover, Publisher (RANDALLSTOWN – July 14, 2024) – Historically, Baltimore City’s Black residents were restricted by a 1910 ordinance from living in certain areas. This segregation significantly set the city back, but the Civil Rights era fought against such laws, leading to desegregation. Consequently, many Black residents moved to Northwest Baltimore County, including Woodlawn, Randallstown, Owings Mills, and Pikesville, seeking better living conditions and amenities. Ken Oliver became the first Black Baltimore County Councilman in 2002, serving until 2014, and was succeeded by Julian Jones, who became the first Black Council Chair. Despite these strides, the fight for…

I doubt not God is good, well-meaning, kind, And did He stoop to quibble could tell why The little buried mole continues blind … – Yet Do I Marvel, Countee Cullen By Doni Glover, Publisher (RANDALLSTOWN – July 11, 2024) – There was a time in Baltimore City when Blacks could not live north of North Avenue and west of Fulton Avenue. This goes back to a 1910 ordinance proposed by then-Mayor J. Barry Mahool on behalf of Roland Park, Baltimore’s new suburban garden community. In short, the proposed legislation suggested Blacks could not move into white neighborhoods, and…

By Doni Glover, Publisher (BALTIMORE – July 5, 2024) – The Heritage Foundation’s ambitious 2025 Presidential Transition Project, touted as a blueprint for a conservative resurgence in American politics, is not just concerning; it’s alarming. With a hefty investment of $22 million to craft a comprehensive 920-page policy document, Heritage aims to wield significant influence over the next conservative administration. However, the implications of their agenda, particularly for African Americans and other marginalized communities, cannot be overlooked. At its core, Heritage’s initiative seeks to dismantle federal agencies and consolidate power under a potentially unchecked executive authority, echoing disturbing echoes of authoritarianism.…

By Doni Glover, Publisher (BALTIMORE – June 22, 2024) – Robert Bogle, the President and CEO of the Philadelphia Tribune, is an icon in the Black Press. His newspaper is the oldest Black newspaper in America. Jake Oliver, the former publisher of the Afro-American Newspaper, has told me about him several times. Oliver even told me to reach out to him. Well, on Thursday night, I had Bogle as a captive audience for a few minutes, and let me tell you that I am so grateful Catonya Lester invited me to the NNPA Awards Ceremony. Because of my follow-through, I had…

By Doni Glover, Publisher (ANNAPOLIS – June 17, 2024) – Today marks a monumental day in Maryland’s journey toward justice and equity. Governor Wes Moore’s signing of an executive order to pardon 175,000 cannabis convictions is not just a milestone for our state but a beacon of hope and progress for the entire nation. By addressing past injustices linked to cannabis possession, Governor Moore has taken a significant step toward righting the wrongs that have disproportionately burdened communities of color for decades. This historic pardon, the largest of its kind in the country, includes convictions for misdemeanor cannabis possession and drug…

By Doni Glover, Publisher (BALTIMORE – June 13, 2024) – The recent decision by the United States Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit against the Fearless Fund marks a disheartening moment in the ongoing struggle for racial equity in the business world. The court ruled that the Fearless Fund’s grant program, designed to support small businesses owned by Black women, is likely illegal because it relies on race to determine eligibility. This ruling is a setback for the Fearless Fund and a potential threat to countless initiatives to support communities of color. Historically, Black-owned businesses have faced relentless attacks…

By Doni Glover, Publisher (BALTIMORE – June 1, 2024) – When Nicole Kirby calls, I answer. Why? Because she is such a huge supporter of our efforts at BMORENews and our parent company, DMGlobal Marketing & Public Relations, LLC. Rarely does one find such a talented and gifted person willing to share resources and even pay you – when it is called for. She does not want someone to work for free, insists people get paid, and consistently has some pretty extraordinary clients. She loves business as much as I do, and it is always a pleasure to work with…

By Donald Glover (BALTIMORE – June 1, 2024) – Regular readers of this column will immediately notice the byline. This one uniquely notes my government name. That’s because the people of this story knew me long before I received an Emmy nomination and many other awards. Believe me, they are not impressed by that. I think they will admit that after a half-century of knowing each other, we share a common bond, love, and gratitude that so many today can only dream of. So, fasten your seatbelt and hold down your hat as we ride through memory lane. Let me…

By Doni Glover, Publisher (BALTIMORE – May 21, 2024) – Dear Black Politician: Real talk. I am not interested in helping you build a royal legacy for you and your family. I support and vote for you because I believe you understand our issues better than anyone else. I know you are well-versed in Black history within the political realm, especially here in Maryland. You are undoubtedly aware of the impact of landmark decisions and amendments such as the Dred Scott Decision, Brown vs. the Board of Education, Plessy vs. Ferguson, the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments, and current legislation aimed…

By Doni Glover, Publisher (BALTIMORE – May 20, 2024) – Early this morning, I received an urgent call from Ven McCormick to be present at The Lord’s Church at 5010 Park Heights Avenue, at the request of Dr. Andrey Bundley. Dr. Bundley and I go way back to his days as Vice Principal at Harlem Park Middle School, a time when I covered his impactful work for the Sandtown-Winchester ViewPoint Newspaper as part of my education beat. His dedication to teaching and the community is evident, rooted deeply in the intersection of Brookfield and Whitelock, now honored as Stokey Cannady Way.…