Politics
State Slots Commission Responds to MBE/WBE Controversy
In response to an article in the Baltimore Business Journal and public outcry from multiple community activists, the State Slots Commission provided the following letter about the Minority Business Enterprise and Women Business Enterprise goals related to Maryland’s casino construction projects – stating that the inclusionary goals remain intact. Click this link to read...
Good Ol’ Boys Win Big On City Slots Project: Lines of MBE/WBE “Requirement” Blurred
WHAT DO YOU CALL A REQUIREMENT THAT IS NOT REALLY REQUIRED? That’s the question I would ask Donald Fry (pictured), head of the influential Greater Baltimore Committee and Governor-appointed Chair of the Video Lottery Facility Location Commission. The Baltimore Business Journal reported last week that the 7 member commission voted to “ease” ...
IMA Endorsement Should Be Thrown Out: Alliance Has Lost Its Way
The recent political endorsement of current Mayor, Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, by the Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance has caused quite a stir and rightly so. Mayoral candidate, Senator Cathy Pugh in disrupting the endorsement forum last week at Friendship Baptist Church did more than reveal an egregious departure from tradition and fair process that would have allowed...
Baltimore City Budget Makes Clear Its Stance With City Residents: “Lock ‘em up, Don’t Lift ‘em up!”
It’s said that a budget is a moral document which lets others know how much or how little you value something. And if that holds true, then the Mayor of Baltimore has some serious problems with city youth. In her FY’12 budget proposal, Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake has allocated more than $260 Million on crime...
National Council Confirms Position of Community: No New Youth Jail Needed In Baltimore
Statement of an Alliance of Organizations in response to the National Council on Crime and Delinquency’s New Bed Space Forecast for the Proposed Baltimore Youth Detention FacilityMay 12, 2011 Governor O’Malley has an opportunity to be a leader in the growing national movement to invest more in opportunities for children and youth and less...
In Search Of New Paths For My People: Reflection on the LBS Freedom Forum Part 1
I was asked to serve as a panelist at the first Freedom Forum hosted by the think tank focused on policy analysis and community change. The theme of the event was Baltimore’s Youth Movement: Are They Ready To Lead? And it’s funny because I remember when I was squarely included in the crowd of...
African Delegation Planning Historic Trip To Palestine/Israel
Last summer, I truly had a transformative experience when I traveled to Palestine/Israel. I had been thinking, writing, and speaking about Palestine and Israel for some time and last year I was afforded the opportunity to go and witness first-hand what was happening on the ground in what many westerners call the “Middle East.”...
Baltimore Delegates Vote “No” on Partially Elected School Board. Again.
The struggle for a fully or partially elected school board in Baltimore City has been an arduous and protracted one. At issue is the fact that Baltimore City residents don’t have a direct voice in the makeup of the Baltimore City School Board. The nine members of the School Board are jointly appointed by...
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