Community Daze

The first stop was the 3rd Annual Baltimore City Cleanup. We were out near the Westside Shopping Center, and the turnout alone was powerful. At least 80 people spread out across blocks, clearing streets and alleyways. What stood out most was the mix of ages and generations, all moving with a shared purpose.

I came simply to do my part, but the work opened the door to connection. One of the more meaningful conversations I had was with Jaz and a team from Johns Hopkins. We talked about social justice, and how growing up in nearby communities shaped her perspective, especially when it comes to supporting families and youth who’ve faced adversity early in life. The energy was easy, and the work moved fast. I was genuinely surprised by how quickly spaces transformed.

In what felt like a blink, areas that once looked like eyesores started to carry a sense of opportunity, even beauty! That shift sticks with you. I’m grateful to have experienced it, and thankful to Mayor Brandon Scott and the city for organizing it.

If I had one critique, it would be the lack of accessible trash cans along the route. Maintenance has to be convenient if we want to sustain progress. Still I’m hopeful this grows into something even larger, something we can continue scaling across the city.

Next up was the Baltimore Connect Conference, its second year, if I remember correctly. I was invited by Mama Eliza, and honestly, I walked in not fully knowing what to expect. That turned out to be a gift. The first thing that caught my attention was the wellness room, though I jumped straight into the sessions since things were already underway. From there, I watched different communities and organizations come together sharing ideas and building in real time.

Mama Eliza and I had the chance to speak about mindful eating, the Live Holistically wellness journey, and the Eat Mindful directory she’s developing for the community. Being part of that exchange felt aligned, like we were planting something real.

You can Learn more and access some information from here presentation here

One of the more thought-provoking moments came during a session on grief and men’s issues. Interestingly, aside from myself and the speaker, the room was filled with women. It made me think about how the message was being received. The speaker touched on how, for many men, deeper emotions often show up as angerand how easily that gets misread as just an “anger problem.” and advocated for the importance of therapy. I agree with this whole heartedly and also feel that we need more Males from these communities in those fields so that those in need can connect without the pressure of huge caseloads that make individual assessment and are more challenging.

That stuck with me. It’s on us to express more clearly, but it’s also on the broader conversation to hold space for what’s underneath. That moment pushed me to grow in how I show up and communicate. Throughout the day, I found myself especially tuned in to the research and academic voices in the room. As I lean deeper into grassroots work, I’m realizing how essential it is to bridge lived experience with structured knowledge. Both are necessary. Neither can stand alone.

Eventually, I made my way back to that wellness room, and I’m glad I did. Ms. Goldie created a truly serene space. The moment you stepped in, the atmosphere shifted. The scent, the stillness. It all invited you to reset.

Instead of giving instructions, she simply pointed to a few prompts at my feet. I took a breath and let myself move through the space intuitively. A massager, a textured stress ball, a moment to write something down and release it. It all worked in quiet ways. I stepped back out feeling grounded, ready to receive more.

Later, I listened in on a panel and explored the marketplace of ideas. A pleasant surprise was catching Mayor Catherine Pugh on a panel. One theme kept surfacing: people are looking for ways to be involved earlier in planning and decision-making. I like that direction, even if I’m still figuring out what it looks like in my own work.

One of the most impactful moments came from an elder in the room. She shared that in nearly 70 years of living in the city, she had rarely seen different communities come together with that level of openness and unity. Hearing that reminded me not to take spaces like that for granted, and to carry that energy forward.

To close out the week, we represented the Northwest Wellness Project at a community resource fair. We’re heading into our third year of summer programming and just opened signups for the new season.

Sign up here:

What stood out most here was how seamless everything felt. From the outside looking in, you couldn’t tell who was leading. It just felt like community. People weren’t just grabbing flyers. they were engaging, talking, laughing, connecting.

Someone even mentioned it was their first time attending an event like that in that exact space, despite living nearby. That says a lot. We were set up in a parking lot next to the market. simple, accessible, right where families already are. That kind of placement matters.

Overall, I’m grateful, for the experiences, for the people, and for the organizations putting in the work. I’m equally grateful for those who show up open, willing to engage especially Divine Wellness. Their early support has made it possible for us to really impact families and improve futures. They also provide a high quality of care and concern for the community they serve. Also the determination of this young man I met was unforgettable.

Learn more about their services here:

There’s something building across the city. And I’m excited to be part of what comes next.