(BALTIMORE – April 25, 2025) — Ten years ago, the world turned its gaze to Sandtown-Winchester. The death of Freddie Gray while in police custody sparked national outrage and local uprising—but for those of us who call this community home, it wasn’t the beginning of our grief. It was the boiling point of a pain that had long been ignored.
For generations, Sandtown has endured trauma layered deep—poverty, violence, disinvestment, institutional neglect, and systemic racism. These scars run through our schools, our streets, and our spirits. They show up in every shuttered recreation center, every broken promise from government, and every story left untold by outsiders who think they know us.
But Sandtown is not just a story of loss—it is a story of resilience. We are the descendants of builders, educators, business owners, musicians, and warriors. We are the heirs to legacy, love, and survival. Our people have never stopped organizing, never stopped praying, never stopped standing in the gap.
This Sunday, April 27th, from 3 to 5 p.m. at Sharon Baptist Church, we will gather for “Freddie Gray: The Aftermath”—a community-led reflection on where we’ve been, what’s changed, and what still demands our fight. You’ll hear from faith leaders like Bishop Kevia Elliott, public servants like Senator Antonio Hayes, activists like C.D. Witherspoon, and everyday residents who never left the front lines.
As someone who has reported from this neighborhood for decades—and who lives right here in West Baltimore—I’ve invited every reporter, every nonprofit leader, and every policymaker who’s asked “What’s happened since then?” to come and see for themselves.
Because healing takes more than time. It takes truth. It takes community. And it takes the kind of faith that refuses to let our story end in tragedy.
Sandtown is still standing. And so are we.
Join us.
RSVP at: FreddieGray.eventbrite.com
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Doni Glover
West Baltimore native, journalist, and founder of BMORENews.com
