(BALTIMORE – February 1, 2026) – A young, wise soldier said to me yesterday: “I have never seen politics fix the ‘hood.”
It stopped me dead in my tracks. I had to pause.
Now, I understand his frustration more than many. I knew his efforts to transform East Baltimore well. I saw his work for years. He worked with youth. Mothers adored him. Yet, after all of his efforts, he said he had to relocate. The systems failed him. I get that. But walking away means those same systems keep failing the next person.
So, after some thought – I gotta disagree.
I do agree that underserved communities are always at the short end of the stick. After all, this is America. At the same time, that is exactly why this news outlet works so hard to stay on top of our politicians. Why? Because it works when you work it.
Let me give you the receipts.
I have seen $100 million come into Baltimore through the Empowerment Zone – that’s actually where my business began. I worked and lived in the zone. When my contract ended, I used my severance package to pay off my home and start DMGlobal Marketing & Public Relations, LLC. Twenty-three years later, I’m still here.
I saw others buy homes, expand businesses, and become gainfully employed. I watched investment transform East and West Baltimore. Government didn’t give us a crutch – it gave us a helping hand. But you still had to know how to swim. You had to have a value proposition. This is free enterprise. In an open market, nobody’s just handing out checks because you showed up.
Today? Senator Antonio Hayes and Senator Cory McCray make me so proud. Hayes has built on Coppin’s expansion, which began in 2002 with the help of former Lt. Gov. Boyd Rutherford and later Gov. Moore—and now he’s bringing resources like never before. Both men are bringing tens of millions of dollars to East and West Baltimore – unprecedented resources. Mayor Scott is supporting David Bramble’s development on West North Avenue and brought Otis Rolley to BDC.
While I don’t agree with all their decisions, Wes Moore and Brandon Scott have successfully navigated the minefields of politics in the most hostile federal environment this country has seen in a very long time. We live in a time where ICE is shooting people dead in the streets like it’s nothing.
THAT’s why I have to stay in politics. It determines who gets what, when, and where.
I personally believe that we can sit on the sidelines or get in the game. As the young people say: Period.
Don’t complain about it. Learn the game and get involved. Why? Because if you don’t, you leave it to some off-brand politician to represent your community. Worse than that, you can get someone who knows nothing about you except what they’ve read on paper. They’ve never walked one mile in your shoes, yet there they are on television smiling, cashing in on media ops, kissing babies, and representing you and your neighbors.
So here’s where you start.
Before we even get into parties and platforms, here are some basics if you live in Baltimore City:
Don’t know who your City Council person is? Need DPW (Department of Public Works)? Need some other City service? Call 410-396-3100.
For the State of Maryland, if you need to speak with anyone from the Governor to the Delegate, call 410-841-3000.
Elected officials work for you. If you need your congressional representative or one of our two U.S. senators, call the U.S. Capitol switchboard at 202-224-3121. They’ll connect you to the right office.
Bottom line: You have every right to call these numbers. Your voice matters. Use it.
Next: Get involved in your block and ultimately your community. Find out what community association is active near you and get engaged. Also, speak to your damn neighbor. Learn their names. That’s where community actually begins.
After mastering those basics, hell – you can look at running for office yourself. I say start with the State Central Committee and work your way up. Or, if you have the gravitas of a Wes Moore, run for governor.
The soldier who said politics never fixed the hood? He’s not wrong about what he’s seen. But he could be wrong about what’s possible – IF we stop letting other people write our story.
You are either at the table or on the menu.
