Six Young Entrepreneurs Proving Excellence is the Norm, Not the Exception
(BALTIMORE – December 27, 2025) – The narrative is tired. Turn on the news, scroll social media, and you’d think our youth are lost. That’s a lie told so often it becomes background noise.
But walk up to a DSD Concessions stand and meet Damani Taylor. Fifth grade. Makes snowballs with pride. Member of the Black Excellence Club, Kindness Club, Student Band, Soccer team, and School Safety Patrol Officer. Multiple school awards for being respectful, responsible, creating safe environments so others can learn. Damani doesn’t just work – she leads with creativity, confidence, and teamwork.
Meet Raheem Pierce. Eighth grade. Honor Roll. USBC Bowling League. Recreational baseball. Teacher Award for leadership and helping peers. Student of the Month. Works with DSD Concessions with the kind of maturity that makes adults take notice. He demonstrates perseverance like it’s second nature because for him, it is.
Meet Ayodele Oni III. Hard worker at DSD Concessions, runs his own vehicle detail business when the weather warms up. Loves basketball. Learning about saving and investing for his future. Wants to be an architect. He’s already building.
Meet Skylar Dandridge. The “Director of Operations” at DSD Concessions – not because someone gave her a title, but because her peers look to her for leadership. She manages. She delivers. She grows the business. College-bound with her eyes on a business degree. She’s not waiting for her turn – she’s creating it.
Meet David W. Dandridge III. Honor student. Started as the head cotton candy maker, but when the business pivoted to funnel cakes, his passion grew with it. He’s been instrumental to DSD Concessions’ success – pivotal on two major projects. He put in the work. The business developed and grew because David showed up.
Meet Donovan Dandridge. Took him a minute to get comfortable with the family business, but once he found his lane – hospitality – he became key. Creates delicious delights that make customers eager to try. Getting knowledgeable about every aspect of the food industry. Building a path that can take him far if he stays consistent. And he will.
Six young people. Not exceptions. Not “despite the odds.” Just young Black entrepreneurs from the community doing exactly what they’re supposed to be doing – working hard, leading peers, building businesses, planning futures, being excellent.
We are so grateful for the opportunity to salute them at the Black Wall Street NEW YEAR Summit’s second annual YOUTH AWARDS on January 3rd, 2026.
The media paints pictures that are grossly unfair to youth who are doing the right thing. We think it’s beautiful to tell the truth instead.
These young people are right from the community. They’re supposed to be here. And we’re proud.
Black Wall Street NEW YEAR Summit
January 3rd, 2026 | 10:00 AM | Downtown Cultural Arts Center
Over 105 registered. FREE admission. RSVP to blackwallstreetsummit2026.eventbrite.com
Still accepting YOUTH AWARDS nominations for entrepreneurs 17 & under: doni@bmorenews.com
SPECIAL THANKS TO CONSTELLATION ENERGY.
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