Baltimore Corps Newsletter - Summer 2016
Dear friends and Baltimore Corps family,
In order to change, and to create the changes we hope to see in our cities, we must never stop supporting one another. Across neighborhoods, across sectors, across the nation, we must always do the important work of coordinating our efforts, as well as celebrating our successes.
That’s why we were so proud to convene some of Baltimore’s most dynamic leaders (and Baltimore Corps partners) at the White House last month for an event called “The Front Lines of Social Innovation: Models for Change from Baltimore City.” Beyond the thrill of seeing Team Baltimore so well represented in our nation’s capital, the night served as a reminder that while Baltimore’s challenges are not unique, we are home to tireless luminaries who go to work everyday, armed with solutions, at the forefront of hope. Read on for more highlights from the event, as well as other summer updates from Baltimore Corps.
Best regards,
Fagan Harris
The Front Lines of Social Innovation at the White House
On June 6th, in partnership with the Aspen Institute and White House, we convened leaders from around Baltimore and the nation for an evening of conversation centered around important and promising work underway here in the city. Watch the video of the event, titled "The Front Lines of Social Innovation: Models for Change from Baltimore City," through the link to the right, featuring lightning talks by our partners at the Health Department, Thread, MERIT Baltimore, Inner Harbor Project, and Code in the Schools.
Or read this recap of the evening by Broderick Johnson (Assistant to the President and Cabinet Secretary) and Walter Isaacson (President and CEO of the Aspen Institute) on the White House Blog:
Baltimore's New Generation of Social Innovators
Cirron and the new STEAM Play team
introducing steam play
Baltimore Corps Fellow, Cirron Greenidge is excited to announce Baltimore Corps' new summer program, STEAM Play. STEAM Play lives at the intersection of Science, Technology, Engineering Art, Math, Play and international experience. The program works to provide workforce skills and postsecondary opportunities to local youth. STEAM Play is operated in partnership with the Baltimore Community Toolbank and centers around creating play structures.
Play More B'More Celebrates One Year
Play More B’More (PMBM), a multi-sector partnership between Family League, KaBOOM! and Baltimore Corps celebrated its first anniversary in June by hiring its 3rd cohort of Baltimore City youth ages 18-25 years old to lead construction of public playgrounds.
Coinciding with the anniversary, PMBM staff members (and Baltimore Corps Fellows) Cirron Greenidge and Rashaad Whitfield were awarded LIGHT awards for their ongoing work to promote health and wellness in Baltimore's communities.
BALTIMORE CORPS' FELLOW SPOTLIGHT: RACE AND EQUITY CELEBRATION
Fellows present action plans at the Race & Equity Celebration. From left: Jen Schachter, Charlotte James, David Rodwin and Sarah MacFadden.
On Monday, July 18, 2016, Baltimore Corps' Race & Equity Committee hosted its inaugural year-end Race & Equity Celebration to commemorate the hard work Fellows and community partners have committed to understanding and strategizing behind anti-oppression efforts. These efforts extend beyond Baltimore Corps and into Fellows' spheres of influence as Baltimore City residents.
The goals of the night were to reinforce why the Committee started the series, create a dialogue concerning how Fellows will continue their developmental work in race & equity, and celebrate the work the work already underway. The dinner series holds individuals accountable through action plans and practice with tangible outcomes. Baltimore Corps Board member Danielle Torain also delivered remarks to the audience of Fellows, Staff, and Visionary Cause Leaders.
Meet our New full-time hires and summer '16 staff
Our team grows and grows. Say hello to our three new full-time hires, Jasmine, Joyell and Jenny, as well as our five inimitable summer contributors. Click on any team member's picture to view her or his full bio.
