“It was great celebration for a man who has always given so much to so many.” – Meshelle Howard (BALTIMORE – March 24, 2025) – The political maneuvers and obstacles Ricky Smith had to navigate while running BWI-Thurgood Marshall Airport would leave many in awe. For those who don’t know, Ricky is Black—and unapologetically so. A proud son of Baltimore, he hails from Whitelock and Brookfield in Reservoir Hill, a community that demands resilience, grit, and excellence from those who emerge from it. Ricky embodies that spirit, representing his family, community, city, and state on the world stage. Tonight, the…

(BALTIMORE – March 24, 2025) – Baltimore and the world are approaching the 10th anniversary of the Freddie Gray Unrest, a moment that catapulted Penn-North into the international media spotlight. On April 12, 2015, Gray was arrested at Gilmor Homes in my beloved Sandtown community for allegedly carrying an illegal switchblade. The world watched the footage repeatedly—three Baltimore police officers taking Gray down, one driving a knee into his back. He was clearly injured and unable to walk, yet we saw him being dragged to a police van instead of receiving medical attention. Notably, those officers were white. A decade…

(BALTIMORE – March 23, 2025) – In an era where government agencies and federal policies, including historic Civil Rights legislation and DEI, are being gutted, I implore every Black person in America to stand on their Blackness. Our ancestors fought too hard, sacrificed too much, and died too often and too young for us to ever forget or forsake their contributions that afford us to live the lives we live. We remember that bullet that took out Malcolm and the one that took out Martin. We remember Emmett Till, and we remember George Floyd. We remember Tulsa’s Black Wall Street and…

Sandtown Tour, Second Chances, Black Wall Street Awards, Best of Black Baltimore, “The Doni Glover Show” (BALTIMORE – March 19, 2025) – What a phenomenal week it has been! It was a time of encouragement, empowerment, and celebration, highlighting some of the true jewels in our community. From recognizing the success of formerly incarcerated individuals to showcasing youth entrepreneurship and honoring community leaders, the past week has been a testament to the resilience and brilliance of Baltimore. On Monday night, for instance, Ericka Alston Buck reported on the Met.Gala Unveil: Baltimore Met Gala Unveils 2025 Theme in Spectacular Celebration Spotlight…

(BALTIMORE – March 20, 2025) – Today marked a powerful resurgence of energy and attention on Sandtown, signaling a long-overdue commitment to revitalization and community engagement. This renewed focus, spearheaded by key leaders at the state and city levels, is breathing new life into a neighborhood that has too often been overlooked. At the state level, Senator Antonio Hayes has been a masterful force in assisting Tracey Malone and directing over $28 million toward the redevelopment of West North Avenue, a vital corridor that runs through Sandtown. This investment is more than just numbers on a page—it represents a tangible…

(WASHINGTON – March 19, 2025)—Welcome to your America. This country allegedly overwhelmingly voted for Donald Trump as president. While many support his recent political efforts, others are deeply concerned about the country’s direction. Around the world, nations are observing as the U.S. seemingly dismantles government agencies and displays a growing disregard for what was once considered the greatest democracy in the world. We were promised a shift in leadership, and it appears we’ve gotten it. I’ve never seen a U.S. president as close with a Russian leader as Trump is with Vladimir Putin. Trump’s business ties with Putin’s Russia are…

Regular readers of this column know that without a doubt. Print, radio, TV, and digital media have always been my playground.

(WASHINGTON, DC – March 9, 2025) – Is this truly what America stands for? Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy sat in the Oval Office and was publicly berated by both U.S. President Donald J. Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance. In front of the media, they essentially told him that he had no right to an opinion—especially one that didn’t align with their administration. It was as if they expected Zelenskyy to grovel before Trump. When my family moved back to the Westside of Baltimore, I was about eight years old. Before that, I was an Eastsider. One of my earliest…

(BALTIMORE – March 2, 2025) – It was an absolute pleasure to witness the CIAA return to Baltimore once again. From Mayor Brandon Scott to Visit Baltimore’s Al Hutchinson to the incomparable Zack McDaniels, a dynamic mix of leaders and organizers came together to produce yet another spectacular event celebrating HBCUs. This all unfolded in the heart of downtown Baltimore over the past week. Last year, the tournament generated over $32 million in economic impact, and this year’s numbers could be even higher. While Morgan State and Coppin State are not part of the CIAA, the event still honored the rich…

Dear Black Community, Many of us are deeply troubled by the actions of the current U.S. president. Likewise, we cannot ignore the egregious decisions of his counterpart from South Africa, Elon Musk. Like you, I am frustrated by the direction in which this country is headed. Just days ago, General Charles O. Brown, the Joint Chiefs of Staff Chair, was dismissed. Chief of Naval Operations Lisa Franchetti was also fired. In light of Donald Trump’s actions, I pose a critical question: Are we practicing diversity, equity, and inclusion within our community? We criticize Trump, but do we not sometimes treat…