Daughter of education pioneer Dr. Sterling Keyes, the retired Baltimore jurist redefines justice through accountability, presence, and an unshakable belief in people. (BALTIMORE – July 2, 2026) – Judge Wanda Heard does not believe justice ends at sentencing. For her, probation is not paperwork. It is a promise. “I put them on probation,” she says. “That’s my responsibility. I sentenced them. I signed the probation papers. Why am I not responsible to the person who’s on probation just like they’re responsible to me to do what they’re told?” That philosophy sets her apart. Inside her courtroom, there are rules. Structure.…

When Black elected officials endorse against Black candidates in a majority-Black district, voters deserve an explanation. “Charity starts at home.” (RANDALLSTOWN – July 1, 2026) – There are moments in politics when elections reveal more than winners and losers. They reveal priorities. The Democratic primary for Baltimore County Council’s 2nd District is one of those moments. The question is no longer simply why Ruben Amaya is leading Lawrence Williams. The larger question is this: Why did an all-Black political leadership team representing one of Baltimore County’s largest Black populations choose to endorse against the Black candidates in the race? That…

(BALTIMORE – June 29, 2026) — Yesterday, I attended the James Mosher Baseball Crab Feast. I left full. Not because of the crabs. Because of the memories. Walking around Putty Hill, I wasn’t just seeing old baseball players. I was seeing little boys all over again. Boys who are now grandfathers. Boys who became preachers, businessmen, teachers, fathers, elected officials, coaches, and community leaders. James Mosher Baseball did that. Growing up, there was a pitcher named Craig. Tall. Chocolate brother. If he was on the mound, you knew you were in for a long afternoon. He was one of the…

The Architect’s Great-Niece (BALTIMORE – July 2026) — Where I come from, we didn’t make excuses. We took the hand we were dealt. We learned gratitude for what we had. We studied. We worked. We saved. We prayed. We respected our elders. We were taught to say “Yes, ma’am.” “No, sir.” “Excuse me.” “Thank you.” And we were taught something else that seems to get lost today. Leadership is responsibility. Responsibility carries consequences. And no community survives very long unless its people understand one simple truth: Your neighbor is your natural ally. You don’t have to agree on everything. You…

As the Black Wall Street Summit arrives on August 5, Doni Glover’s Black Blueprint: Baltimore to Burkina Faso finally gets the stage it deserves—and perhaps the moment it was written for. (BALTIMORE – June 27, 2026) – “I was never meant to be a statistic. I was raised to be a solution.” Those are the first words of Black Blueprint. Every time I read them, I’m transported back to North Avenue. Back to the crack epidemic. Back to liquor stores on every corner. Back to schools that struggled. Back to friends who never made it out. And back to my parents—Doc…

Anthony Jones Has Earned This Moment (BALTIMORE, MD – June 27, 2026) — Some people make a lot of noise on their way up. Others simply go to work. Anthony Jones has always struck me as the latter. A week ago, Jones announced that he had been elected Vice Chair of the Maryland Information Network (MdInfoNet) Board of Directors. “I’m honored to share that I have been elected Vice Chair of the Maryland Information Network (MdInfoNet) Board of Directors. Over my professional career, I’ve learned that strong communities are built on access, connection, and trusted information. I’m excited to work…

“The woods are lovely, dark and deep, But I have promises to keep, And miles to go before I sleep, And miles to go before I sleep.” — Robert Frost (TOWSON, MD – June 24, 2026) – I spoke with former Dunbar High School Athletic Director and Coach Bob Wade last week, and as always, it was a joy. Coach Wade has a gift for encouragement. Every conversation seems to end the same way: with a reminder to do good work and make our beloved Dunbar High School proud. I’ll be honest. When I first arrived at the Eastside Garden,…

With $6,000 from the Kushner family, a redistricting betrayal, and a vote timed for when the only Black council member was out of town, voters need to know who Izzy Patoka really works for. (RANDALLSTOWN – June 22, 2026) – Larry Gibson doesn’t endorse lightly. The dean of Maryland politics — the man who helped elect Judge Joe Howard, who has worked on every major Black candidate’s race in Baltimore and Maryland for the better part of half a century — has seen enough politicians come and go to know the difference between someone who talks about serving people and…

(GLEN BURNIE – June 22, 2026) – Pete Smith was seven years old. His little brother was five. As big brothers do, Pete had grown impatient with his shadow—that little boy who followed him everywhere, who wanted to go wherever Pete went. On this particular day, Pete ran across the street and told his brother not to follow him. His brother followed anyway. A car came. The five-year-old didn’t see it in time. He was struck. Pete ran back, ran into the house, found his mother. “The baby got hit. The baby got hit. It’s my fault. It’s my fault.” His…

(BALTIMORE – June 21, 2026) – Donald Trump and Dalya Attar are not accused of the same crimes. They come from different political traditions. They represent different constituencies. But some of the reactions to Attar’s indictment reflect something familiar. Not Trumpism the person. Trumpism the method. Trumpism the mindset. A political culture where evidence becomes negotiable, allegations become background noise, and loyalty becomes the deciding factor. And that dynamic is now visible in Baltimore’s 41st District. The MAGA Playbook Political researchers have a name for one of Donald Trump’s most effective communication strategies. The RAND Corporation called it the “Firehose of…