BALTIMORE'S
COALITION FOR
POSITIVE CHANGE
“There is the assumption in America that every person has the opportunity to succeed, regardless of their race, gender, religion, sexual preference, or financial status. But America’s “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” personality has created a paradox in communities of color, which contradicts her oath. It is especially true in disinvested communities like Harlem Park, so I’ve called into action a Coalition of visionaries who are developing strategies to create a social and economic legacy for future generations.”
"I'm a transplant from Miami, Florida, but my mission for social change connects me to Baltimore. I moved to Charm City in 2016 and co-founded 84 PROS, which is a music & media production company in Harlem Park. Media production is the reason I moved here, but my passion for helping others is why I now call it home."
Charles
Robert
"I have over 40 years of experience in community development and planning, particularly as it relates to public and private revitalization in disinvested neighborhoods. My life's work has prepared me for the task at hand. While others are running away from West Baltimore, I'm staying and standing in solidarity with my brothers and sisters to rebuild our communities from the ground up."
Ruby
"I live in West Virginia, but I was born in Maryland. I’m an herbalist, farmer, herbal product manufacturer, and partner in the West Virginia Forest Farming Initiative. I also teach workshops that focus on Afrolachian heritage, which influenced my work with field-grown herbs and forest botanicals. Before moving to West Virginia, I lived in Harlem Park, where I got involved in social activism to address food apartheid and systemic racism. My address may have changed, but I haven’t forgotten my Maryland roots or my promise to help end poverty and food insecurity in Harlem Park."
Angela "aka"
the heart lady
Anthony
"I didn't plan on becoming a community activist or urban gardener. I spent most of my time behind closed doors as a musician. However, everything changed after the Freddie Gray unrest. Things have always been difficult in my Harlem Park neighborhood, but now the whole world is watching, judging, and accusing us of not caring about each other or our community. I CARE!"
"I love Harlem Park, I've lived here my entire life, so I saw it when it was a neighborhood with fruit trees, family parks, beautiful mansions, and black-owned businesses. As a matter of fact, it's all still here, but it's buried beneath the rubble, poverty, and crime. I've always helped people, but I've stayed in the background because I did it from my heart. But things are different now, so we all have to step up so that "the people's" voices are heard loud and clear!
Mr. Leon