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(BALTIMORE – September 6, 2025) – I had just stepped out of the corner store at Pennsylvania and Laurens when I caught a glance that made me pause. Across the street, right in front of Upton Station, stood none other than Don Lemon with two cameramen.
I couldn’t believe it. So I crossed over to confirm:
“You’re Don Lemon?”
He said yes.
Of course, my next question was what brought him to The Avenue. That’s when the cameras flipped on me. In true Journapreneur fashion, I asked for a quick station break so I could grab my own footage.
And there I was — caught between the shock of seeing the former CNN anchor in my neighborhood and wrapping my head around his question, which struck me as odd at first. That’s when it hit me: Don Lemon was testing the narrative that Baltimore needs the National Guard.
I gave my answers. The TikTok went viral. But the comments told me I needed to clarify a few things.
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Yes, I support Mayor Brandon Scott and Governor Wes Moore. Like many, I don’t agree with everything, but as I said in the interview, there’s no corruption. If there were, there’d be indictments. There are none.
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Yes, there’s tension between the President and the Governor. And yes, the Mayor has made his position known. But nowhere do I see a need for federal troops in Baltimore — especially from a President who failed to protect Congress on January 6th and pardoned those responsible.
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No, I would never use someone else’s platform to attack leaders I have direct access to. That would be a stunt for attention, not courage. People who follow BMORENews.com know I don’t need gimmicks to be heard.
Gov. Moore and Mayor Scott make many of us proud. They are two young Black men leading with integrity in a nation where Black men remain the most ostracized demographic. Their leadership has elevated Baltimore and Maryland onto the national stage — while standing against a President who has gutted Black congressional districts, disrespected the Constitution, and demeaned Black life in America.
So to be clear: Baltimore is fine. Maryland is fine. Could we use more? Of course — more grocery stores with fresh produce, more treatment slots for addicts, more housing for the homeless. But federal troops? Naw, we’re good.
To the world: New Baltimore is about resilience, pride, and progress. And we don’t welcome anyone coming here with anything other than love.
P.S. – Yes, there was a Baltimore Police Officer stationed across the street at the time of the interview. That is the norm on that corner. To my knowledge, the people in Upton and Sandtown are no more alarmed than usual.
#DonLemon #BMORENews #NewBaltimore #BlackWallStreet #Leadership
