(NEW ORLEANS – June 8, 2025) — Corey “Bing” Mathis knows a thing or two about reinvention. Nearly two decades ago, he moved to Maryland with his family, seeking better educational opportunities for his children. That decision would plant the seeds of a creative journey that led him to BMORENews, where he became a vital part of our team as a videographer in the early 2000s.
Then came Hurricane Katrina—the storm that changed everything. As thousands of survivors sought refuge in cities like Baltimore, BMORENews was there on the ground: documenting their trauma, capturing their resilience, and telling stories others ignored. That moment not only marked a turning point in our coverage—it also forged a lasting bond between Bing and me.
Mathis’ work with BMORENews became part of a larger mission: chronicling the Black experience in real time. From Latino-led protests to then-Senator Barack Obama’s 2008 visit to Baltimore, and a standout interview with The Wire’s Clarke Peters at Morgan State University, our lens was focused and intentional. We weren’t just reporting—we were making history.
We also launched the “Politics ‘06” series, featuring forums and coverage across Baltimore City, Baltimore County, and Prince George’s County. These events spotlighted emerging political voices like Aisha Braveboy and Kweisi Mfume and amplified grassroots concerns well before social media made such work commonplace.
In those years, BMORENews was one of the few Black-owned media outlets producing daily digital content that rivaled the big players. Some even mimicked our format. But the people knew where to find the real stories—and so did our peers. We earned a “Best New Media” award from the local NABJ chapter (thanks to Charles Robinson), and City Paper named us a “Best of Baltimore” winner.
Our reach extended globally, too. In 2006, I joined Bing’s father, Frazier Mathis—an elder in the Seventh-day Adventist Church and founder of Global Vessels—on a life-changing pilgrimage to Ethiopia and Tanzania. We documented it all, offering a rare look at African development and spiritual connection through our lens.
Fast-forward to last Thursday. BMORENews returned to New Orleans for Black Wall Street NOLA 2025, this time hosted at Corey’s very own restaurant, 2 Phat Vegans, in the French Quarter. It was a full-circle moment. So much has changed since the early 2000s, but one thing remains constant: the bridge between Baltimore and New Orleans—a symbol of our shared heritage across the African Diaspora.
And what a night it was. Among the honorees was Dr. Carinetta Rabb—a woman we first interviewed in 2006, shortly after she and her husband fled Katrina’s devastation. Today, she holds a Ph.D. and serves as a testament to resilience and faith. Look at God!
We also celebrated a dynamic group of New Orleans entrepreneurs making waves in business and community:
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Janessa Fisher
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Deshauntia Benn
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Joseph Robinson
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Régine René-Labrousse
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Nathaniel Diggs Jr.
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Mack Carter
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Reaux Fareal
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Ciera Diggs
To all the honorees—and those who support them—congratulations! Your work honors the spirit of Black Wall Street and the legacy of those who came before us.
Onward!
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