What is it's working progress?
The program was founded by a Baltimore native who saw firsthand the difficulties young people face transitioning from school to adulthood. After excelling in the Ingenuity Project at Roland Park Middle and graduating from Baltimore Polytechnic Institute, he noticed that neither he nor his peers were adequately prepared for the realities of the "real world." Driven by this realization, he spent years developing a curriculum that bridges these gaps, drawing on his expertise in business operations, community organizing, mental health, and entrepreneurship.
The program first launched as a youth initiative in Harlem Park in 2022, where the curriculum was tested and proven effective. This experience highlighted the importance of deeper community engagement and collaboration with other organizations, leading him to pursue a community health worker license. In 2024, he expanded his work with youth through the Northwest Wellness Project, where he further refined his approach.
Understanding that many small businesses and community organizations are run by individuals or small teams with limited resources, he realized that his operational, communication, and project management skills could also fill critical gaps. By offering his services as a community consultant, he provides not only a scalable curriculum but also valuable support in structuring and optimizing programs, enabling them to increase their impact while minimizing risk. His modular approach allows him to enhance existing programs and services, making him a versatile and vital resource for community-based initiatives.
I am a work in progress,
I am a working to achieve progress,
I achieve progress through hard work!
Entering a year of Execution
Reenergizing Execution
Coming into this year during one of the most challenging periods of my life, I began with a short but focused list of goals. For reasons I’ll share more about in a future article, my attention had to shift toward rebuilding a firm foundation in life. I’m happy to say that I succeeded in that , both personally and professionally. and even met my private goal of positioning myself to double my income next year. It came at the cost of a rocky middle of the year, but the progress has been worth it.
With that foundation now restored, I’ve taken time to look back at my original goals to assess what can still be accomplished this year and what needs to be refined or rescheduled for 2026. Each goal is presented in three parts:
The Goal
Value / Impact
New Plan / Next Steps
1. Reviving My Curriculum
Reflection:
I felt conflicted about how to approach this goal. Having joined forces with the Northwest Wellness Project (NWP), my focus shifted from personal programming to collaborative community work. As summer approached, I had to choose between continuing a second season with NWP or beginning anew alongside Empowerment Academy.
I chose to remain with NWP — and this time, both the founder and I were able to be present together. That gave me valuable insight into his vision for the program and confirmed that supporting and observing was the right call.
Value / Impact:
This experience deepened my community work and reaffirmed the unique strengths of my own curriculum. Working with a younger group than before revealed new perspectives on engagement and facilitation across age ranges.
New Plan:
I’ll conduct a virtual run-through of my original curriculum here on www.itsworkingprogress.com for all to see and learn from.
I also plan to:
Host one-off workshops based on the curriculum
Continue my operations role with NWP
Finalize the 2026 curriculum several months before the next program cycle begins
2. Building a Volunteer Network
Reflection:
A thriving community depends on people willing to step in where there are gaps — and that hasn’t changed. This year, I focused on networking and collaborating with existing organizations, choosing alignment over self-promotion. Over time, that process helped me identify new projects and partnerships that can add unique value to the community.
Value / Impact:
By connecting with multiple organizations, I’ve learned where collaboration thrives and where structure is needed. To move forward effectively, I need a small, dedicated volunteer team operating under the It’s Working Progress (IWP)framework — helping to connect with partner organizations while maintaining clear roles and boundaries.
New Plan:
A volunteer application will soon be available on www.itsworkingprogress.com. I’ll personally interview each applicant to ensure alignment with IWP’s mission.
The goal: expand capacity citywide without distracting from the missions of existing players.
3. Comprehensive Canvassing and Opportunity Analysis
Reflection:
I began this project early in the year, but it faced unexpected challenges. Some mistook it for a promotional effort, others tried to influence the process, and a few questioned the need for it altogether. Unfortunately, I became too concerned with perception and not enough with execution — and for that, I take responsibility.
Value / Impact:
Understanding a community’s values, priorities, and needs is essential for effective action. This work helps distinguish what’s learned from research and experience versus what’s learned directly from residents’ voices.
New Plan:
I’m relaunching this initiative with renewed focus.
A web version of the survey will be available soon
I’ll return to in-person canvassing with paper and video surveys
My goal: 100 responses per section by year’s end, and 1,000 total by the end of 2026
Target areas now include Hamilton / Lauraville and Patterson Park, in addition to North Avenue, Harlem Park, and Park Heights
4. Advocacy and Education for Stewardship
I’ll continue advocating for responsible stewardship of land and business, helping residents and organizations maximize their resources for long-term growth. I’m also expanding my knowledge of trusts, wills, and intergenerational wealth, ensuring that I can better support others in securing and passing on their legacy.
5. Supporting Local Entrepreneurs
I remain dedicated to helping local entrepreneurs bring their ideas to life — offering guidance, support, referrals, and strategic connections.
Currently, I’m actively working with three businesses and periodically assisting a few others. As I continue building my own foundation, I’ll begin offering professional support services for a reasonable fee, while maintaining my community-oriented approach.
Coming soon:
Updates to this website reflecting new service offerings
A Partners section highlighting key collaborations and linking to partner websites
Closing Thoughts
This year was about rebuilding, recalibrating, and reenergizing execution. Every challenge helped refine the mission and every collaboration added depth to the vision.
The road to 2026 looks promising — and I’m excited to keep growing with those who share this commitment to progress.
Where are we now ?
Letter to the Community: 4th Quarter Closeout
Where Are We Now
Rereading my last Letter to the Community, I realized how much of it still resonates. I’ve decided to keep that piece available over on the blog, alongside the article I promised—[The Middleman Complex: The Weight of the In-Between] (But where are we now—right here, in this present moment?
To understand the decisions shaping this next phase, it helps to look at the storylines that defined this year, how they’ve evolved from the past, and how they align with the goals I’m carrying into the future. I’ll be unpacking those themes in more depth over the next few weeks, but for now, my focus is simple: closing the year with clarity and setting the stage for a strong start to 2026.
Community Work
Community-wise, I’m wrapping up the opportunity assessment, opening submissions for volunteers, and continuing to promote, fundraise, and prepare for the 2026 service year with Northwest Wellness Project. These efforts remain at the heart of my mission—bridging service, creativity, and healing.
Entertainment & Creative Direction
On the music side, I’ve kept my promise to stay consistent—sharing songs and verses nearly every week this year (with just one week off). I’ll be dropping a few more tracks before year’s end, but I’m intentionally slowing the pace to let my next single, “Dreams,” breathe and to give my full focus to my next full-length project, set for release in 2026.
I’ve also been rehearsing favorite verses and crafting new mixes to enhance my live performances.
Catch me at:
* The Lyrical Trap (Park Heights) – October 17
* Deepflow Studios w/ Dirty Money Gang – November 15
* TBA December show – ideally with Moneygame Network and Profit Productions
That’ll likely close out my 2025 performance run—unless something special comes along. Gotta save some excitement for ’26
Professional Life
Professionally, I’m settling into a new role with Baltimore City [redacted for privacy]. I’ll simply say: I’m deeply grateful. The opportunity to contribute meaningfully, grow within a solid team, and finally feel the stability of a true living wage means a lot. Still, I prefer to keep my work environment and personal world separate. There’s enough volume in my creative life already.
Personal Growth
This year was also about recalibration. I took a much-needed detour to get more comfortable facing resistance, redefine direction outside of familiar comfort zones, and reconnect with my romantic self—a side of me that rarely had room to grow before. The result is a more grounded, confident, and disciplined version of myself.
It’s wild, really. These qualities have always been there, but now they’ve leveled up.
So I’m taking a moment to pause, breathe, and appreciate the progress. Then it’s back to building.
When 2025 began, I spent about a month mapping out potential visions brick by brick. This time, I’m giving myself three months of forward planning, followed by a full year of active preparation and acquisition. The goal? To hit 2027 as the best version of myself yet. It is at that point I will truly test the limits of my will and potential.
This year was about rebuilding.
Next year is about refining.
And the years after that? About rising.
With gratitude and focus,
Calvin Croxton