(BALTIMORE – September 29, 2026) – Recently, I had the opportunity to speak with journalism students at Morgan State University’s School of Global Journalism. When the class ended, Shayla Stephens came up to introduce herself. She followed up afterward, too. That stayed with me.
Shayla is a journalism major with a minor in political science and a young woman deeply engaged in Baltimore. Her commitment to advocacy began when she participated in local Black Lives Matter protests. She has continued to serve through food drives and donation efforts. Now she wants to use journalism to tell the stories of people who are too often unheard or spoken for.
I was impressed by what she had already done. I was also impressed that she took the first step.
In any business, including journalism, follow-up matters. Out of a classroom full of students, two or three came up afterward to ask how they might grow their careers. Shayla was one of them. She saw an opportunity to make a connection, and she acted on it.
That is why we will recognize Shayla, one of her classmates, and Professor E.R. Shipp at the next Black Wall Street at Colin’s. The recognition is meant to encourage these students to keep going: speak up, knock on doors, seek out opportunities, and build on every door that opens.
I especially want Shayla and the other young women in the program to hear this. American society is often unkind to Black women. Too often, Black people are expected to do extra work just to be seen and taken seriously. I want this award to remind Shayla that she belongs in the rooms she enters and that her voice matters.
Shayla, keep taking that first step. Be courageous. Be bold. Dream big, pursue your goals unapologetically, and keep telling the stories your community needs told.
