Over the last few months, Threads, the text-based app from Instagram, has become a container for public opinion about Baltimore City. Infrastructure complaints, illegal dumping, potholes, parking tickets. And lately, speculation about a so-called "curse" on Artscape, the city's beloved free outdoor arts festival. Some say Artscape is cursed, pointing to a longstanding superstition about its reliably extreme weather. But like the prophets OutKast said: you can plan a pretty picnic, but you can't predict the weather. Residents, neighbors and bots all chime in. Mayor Brandon Scott often replies, recommending people call 311 for most of those issues, but he was also a clear cheerleader for Artscape, whose two-day schedule called for rain through most of its duration. I went anyway. And I wasn't alone. By the end of night one, I was surrounded by a sea of umbrellas. Sure, I'm employed by the City of Baltimore and have worked with and for the festival since 2017, as a production assistant, project coordinator, producer, host and this year a moderator. But I didn't show up as a staff member. I showed up as someone who loves this city and the arts. I mapped out indoor activities, laid out my outfit — cargo pants, layered jackets, a graphic tee — loaded my bag with water bottles, found parking without much trouble and walked out the door with an umbrella and a good attitude. I wasn't about to let rain break my Artscape streak. I've been going since I was a teenager. Showing up to Artscape in the rain, as thousands did, says something about a person's character. About whether they actually love this city and the arts the way they say they do. It's a plant-your-feet-where-your-heart-is kind of situation. When you love something, you show up for it. It's that simple. Artists and small businesses in Baltimore deserve our support. For some people, that's not a special occasion; it's a habit already formed, hard to break even in the rain. Which raises a real question for the naysayers: do you actually love Baltimore the way you say you do, if you won't show up for her while she's still figuring things out? As Artscape changed locations and Create Baltimore, formerly the Baltimore Office of Promotion and the Arts, changed leadership, a vocal contingent made clear they don't believe in the move, don't believe in the Mayor, don't believe in Artscape. They write think pieces about conspiracies and spending. They critique the tents that probably did need sandbags. And then they don't show up for Baltimore's biggest moments. A few folks on Threads even mentioned they didn't vote in 2024, but that's a column for another day. Naysayers be damned: Artscape was fun. Capital F. And free, capital F. I created content, bought lemonades for security guards keeping us safe, and sang along to a two-hour Roots set. I joked with concert neighbors that it was probably a warm-up for their Roots Picnic appearance in Philadelphia, which Baltimoreans will tell you is basically our cousin city. I experienced what I would call world-class art work at The SCOUT Art Fair and had riveting conversations with tastemakers from near and far. My only real inconvenience? Getting a little wet. I'll take that over the festival not existing at all. I don't know what a world without the arts looks like, and I don't want to. So I show up, whether that's during Maryland Arts Day in Annapolis, where arts professionals from across the state advocate for public funding, or at festivals like Artscape or AFRAM, coming up next month at Druid Hill Park. There's a clear disconnect between what happens online and what actually happens in Baltimore. Positive experiences are everywhere, if you want them. Solutions exist, from community cleanups to city internships and jobs. The only real answer is to show up and get involved. Be part of the change instead of spreading the noise. Life is hard. We all have reasons to be disgruntled. But why not do it while singing along to "You Got Me" by The Roots and buying from a small business trying to make it another month?

Baltimore’s entertainment scene is entering a new dimension with the arrival of Sandbox VR, an immersive virtual reality gaming experience opening in Harbor East on May 22, 2026. Located at 720 Aliceanna Street, Suite A, the new venue marks the first SandboxVR location in Maryland and introduces a cutting-edge social gaming experience to Baltimore City. The attraction combines advanced virtual reality technology with interactive gameplay, allowing groups of up to six players to explore digital worlds together in real time. Unlike traditional gaming experiences, SandboxVR fully immerses participants using VR headsets, haptic vests, ankle and wrist trackers, and 3D motion capture technology. Players can physically move throughout the gaming space while interacting with virtual environments and teammates. Fans built into the rooms also simulate realistic wind effects, adding another layer to the experience. The venue features nine different games designed for a range of interests and skill levels, making it appealing to families, friend groups, tourists, and corporate team-building outings alike. “We’re thrilled to bring SandboxVR to Harbor East’s dynamic community, providing an innovative entertainment experience that blends cutting-edge technology with social engagement while enhancing what Harbor East has to offer,” said Tim O’Donald, president of Harbor East. “We invite guests to try out this exciting new concept and make a day of it — enjoy some shopping, then unwind with a waterfront cocktail!” As virtual reality entertainment continues to grow in popularity nationwide, Harbor East leaders believe SandboxVR will further strengthen the neighborhood’s reputation as one of Baltimore’s premier destinations for dining, shopping, nightlife, and entertainment. Owned and managed by Baltimore-based developers, Harbor East has transformed over the years from a former industrial area into one of the city’s most vibrant waterfront communities. Today, the district includes restaurants, luxury hotels, retail spaces, office buildings, entertainment venues, and residential developments spanning more than 5.5 million square feet. The opening of SandboxVR adds another modern attraction to the neighborhood while expanding Baltimore’s growing list of interactive entertainment experiences. For more information or to book an experience, visit Sandbox VR Baltimore or Harbor East.

The Baltimore Ravens are deepening their commitment to community safety with a $1 million investment in gun violence prevention initiatives across Baltimore and beyond. Announced Tuesday, the multi-year commitment will support six local and national organizations working across the full spectrum of violence prevention, including hospital-based intervention, frontline outreach, youth engagement, research, storytelling and long-term recovery. The investment is designed to strengthen Baltimore’s existing violence prevention infrastructure while helping expand programs that can serve as models for broader solutions. Since 2016, the Ravens organization has contributed more than $37 million to social justice initiatives, while encouraging players, staff and partners to take an active role in creating meaningful community change. “Reducing gun violence is some of the most impactful work being done across our nation. It is life-saving work, and the progress here in Baltimore has been simply phenomenal,” said Ravens President Sashi Brown. “The Ravens have a platform and a responsibility to shine a light on the frontline organizations driving meaningful change. We are proud to support partners who are advancing prevention, promoting healing and expanding opportunities for young people and families in Baltimore and beyond.” The announcement coincided with Baltimore Together: A Violence Prevention Summit at M&T Bank Stadium, an event supported by the Ravens as part of the investment. The summit brought together leaders from government, healthcare, universities, public safety agencies and community organizations to strengthen collaboration and advance long-term strategies to reduce gun violence. Among the grant recipients is the Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement, known as MONSE. Funding will support technical assistance from the University of Pennsylvania’s Crime and Justice Policy Lab to expand Baltimore’s Group Violence Reduction Strategy. The research-backed model has already shown significant progress in the Western District, where homicides and shootings have been reduced by roughly one-third. Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott thanked the Ravens for their continued partnership. “This investment will support the Group Violence Reduction Strategy and help us build on the progress we have seen reducing homicides and nonfatal shootings to historic lows,” Scott said. “The Ravens truly are Baltimore’s team, and continue to show up for our city day in and day out.” The MedStar Health Hospital Violence Responder Program will also receive support. The funding will provide emergency assistance to victims of gun violence, domestic violence and human trafficking treated at local MedStar hospitals. Assistance may help cover shelter, clothing, food and other essential needs. The investment will also expand community education efforts, including Stop the Bleed and Hands-Only CPR training for students. Kenneth A. Samet, president and CEO of MedStar Health, said addressing gun violence requires bold collaboration. “We are united in stopping this epidemic—one that is completely preventable,” Samet said. Everytown for Gun Safety will use its funding to support conflict resolution and gun violence prevention training tours across Baltimore high schools. The effort has already reached hundreds of students and generated nearly one million social media views, helping spread messages of prevention and safety among young people. Roca Maryland will receive multi-year support to advance its evidence-based violence intervention work in Baltimore. The organization currently serves more than 350 of the city’s highest-risk young men annually through relentless outreach, cognitive-behavioral skill-building and transitional employment. Kurtis Palermo, executive vice president of Roca Maryland, said the Ravens’ partnership helps the organization reach young people who are most at risk. “Working together, we will continue to break multi-generational cycles of violence and expand opportunity for young people,” Palermo said. The University of Maryland R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center will use support from the Ravens to continue convening collaborative forums like the Baltimore Together summit. Dr. Thomas Scalea, Shock Trauma Physician-in-Chief and System Chief for Critical Care Services at the University of Maryland Medical System, said no single organization can solve the crisis alone. “The Ravens’ support of the Baltimore Together summit demonstrates their commitment to bringing together people who are driven by a shared purpose,” Scalea said. Johns Hopkins Medicine will also receive funding to expand the “This Is My Story” initiative across Johns Hopkins trauma units and launch the Champions for Change Fellowship. The paid leadership program will engage Baltimore youth impacted by violence in storytelling, advocacy and healing practices. Dr. Joseph V. Sakran, executive vice chair of surgery at Johns Hopkins Medicine, said gun violence must be treated as a public health crisis. “The Ravens’ commitment allows us to expand evidence-based, community-centered work that meets this crisis where it begins,” Sakran said. “Preventing gun violence is everyone’s responsibility, and it’s work worth fighting for.” Through this $1 million investment, the Ravens are supporting organizations already embedded in the urgent, complex and life-saving work of violence prevention. From emergency response to youth leadership, the commitment reflects a broader message: building a safer Baltimore requires partnership, prevention and sustained investment.

Before May ends, it is an ideal time to acknowledge that business owners cannot do everything alone. When small business owners make time to network, gain marketing strategies, and scale their businesses strategically, greater success can be achievable. Keep these tips in mind while embracing your entrepreneurial journey. Make it easy for customers to find you. Spread the word about your enterprise online and in-person. Create a virtual business card and take advantage of cross-promotion opportunities with fellow business owners by leaving physical business cards in different locations. Connect with people who are unafraid of giving and sharing information within the community. Word-of-mouth works together with sending customers to a website or social media page. When potential customers read about your services or products, make it easy for them to ask questions, contact you, or make purchases.  Keep track of your business expenses. Stay organized ahead of tax time by making a focused effort to stay organized. Beat the tax season shuffle by using apps and software to track your business expenses and get paid. It is essential to keep accurate financial records. Let technology assist you. Receipt scanner apps range from Zoho (https://www.zoho.com/us/expense) to QuickBooks.  Use the Internet to network. Time in your schedule may be tight, but you can still access social media to connect with fellow small, owed business owners in your demographic and community such as Buy Black Networking BALTIMORE. Job tips, business opportunities, and political awareness is shared to empower people of color who share a likeminded desire to circulate opportunities and information. Members also recommend businesses when members seek various services. See https://www.facebook.com/groups/bbnbaltimore.  Check your local chamber of commerce. “The Maryland Chamber of Commerce is the state’s leading business advocacy organization — committed to working with our alliance of partners on critical public policy issues. With a focus on economic development and grassroots advocacy, we impact policies that directly affect Maryland business,” according to https://www.mdchamber.org.  Even if you are not a Maryland Chamber of Commerce member, consider checking for opportunities to network or attend roundtables.  Coworking spaces Save expenses before taking a gamble on deep financial commitments such as dedicated office space. Look for local alternatives that can let you get your feet wet with less responsibility. For example, Spark, Baltimore’s (https://sparkcoworking.com/baltimore)  most collaborative coworking space, aims “to provide entrepreneurs, creatives and innovators with the community and space, allowing them to ignite ideas that transform into successful companies and organizations.” A mailbox with a professional business address, high-speed Wi-Fi, private office spaces, meeting rooms, a community day pass, and more is available through Spark, located at Power Plant Live! Barter Smarter and Creatively. Barter Black® strives to transform how Black entrepreneurs thrive through bartering. Additionally,  in-person events offer chances barter in person with vendors, founders, and creators. A pop-up https://barterblackpopup.com even will be held on May 31, 2026 in Fort Washington, Maryland during National Barter Black® Day.   Check institutions for resources. Research resources that may be available for entrepreneurs and/or nonprofit leaders through local colleges and universities. According to https://gce.jhu.edu/nonprofit-funding, “Johns Hopkins offers several funding and sponsorship programs to support local nonprofits, community projects, and neighborhood initiatives, with a focus on health, education, economic growth, and public safety.” Do not be afraid to explore submitting proposals that could lead to sponsorship. Remember to  submit grant applications well in advance of your proposed event or program.  Find out what your state offers. Get help to develop your vision. Free individualized consulting, from start up to established businesses,  is offered through Maryland Small Business Development Center (SBDC).  “Maryland SBDC also offers comprehensive training programs, from those just thinking about starting a business to executive training, with most classes at low to no cost,” per information provided by  https://www.marylandsbdc.org.  Additionally, check https://commerce.knack.com/find-a-maryland-incubator-or-accelerator to access additional incubators, accelerators and co-working spaces in Maryland. The U.S. Small Business Administration (USBA) The U.S. Small Business Administration offers entrepreneurial training and counseling, connection to  expert business mentors in a wide range of services at no cost, help to begin or grow a veteran or military spouse-owned business, and training, counseling, and resources for women-owned businesses. See  https://www.sba.gov/local-assistance for details. Do not be afraid to exchange information with other business owners. Building a business does not happen overnight. Continue to broaden your network, subscribe to newsletters, check in with quality contacts, and increase your value as an ethical member of the business community. Your reputation can help you to gain referrals. Remember to provide stellar customer service. It can take you far in your journey.

The Baltimore Development Corporation is expanding its youth engagement efforts by connecting young people across the city to experiences that expose them to new opportunities, industries and possibilities for their future. On Saturday, BDC will host Baltimore youth from community partner organizations at CFG Bank Arena for the Hot Wheels Monster Trucks: Glow-N-Fire show. The experience is part of a broader initiative designed to introduce students to new environments while strengthening partnerships with organizations that serve Baltimore youth throughout the year. BDC is working alongside LET’S GO™, a nonprofit organization focused on STEM learning and youth development through hands-on exposure to science, technology, engineering and mathematics. The CFG Bank Arena visit marks the first of several planned experiences for young people, with future events expected to include a Don Toliver concert and other activities hosted at the arena. The initiative reflects BDC’s belief that economic development is not only about attracting businesses, supporting infrastructure and growing investment, but also about preparing the next generation of Baltimoreans to participate in the city’s future. “Economic development is ultimately about people. We can invest in buildings, infrastructure and businesses, but we also have to invest in the next generation of Baltimoreans,” said Otis Rolley, president and CEO of the Baltimore Development Corporation. “By creating opportunities for young people to see new experiences, meet mentors and explore what’s possible, we’re helping build the workforce, entrepreneurs and leaders who will shape Baltimore’s future.” The CFG Bank Arena experience is one piece of a larger youth-focused effort BDC launched this spring to connect Baltimore students to careers, industries and real-world learning opportunities tied to the city’s economy. In March, BDC began recruitment for its 2026 Summer Internship Program. Six rising seniors and recent graduates from Baltimore-area universities were selected to participate. The interns are scheduled to begin next month and will spend eight weeks working across BDC divisions. During the program, they will support live economic development projects and present capstone research to senior leadership. Each intern will receive an $8,000 stipend and may earn an additional performance bonus of up to $2,000. The program is designed to help strengthen Baltimore’s talent retention pipeline by giving students direct exposure to economic development, city-building and public-private sector leadership. BDC has also been working to introduce younger students to industries that are active and growing in the city. Last month, the organization partnered with Baltimore City Public Schools to host a manufacturing tour for students from Carver Vocational-Technical High School. Students visited Matriarch Coffee in Halethorpe, Open Works on Greenmount Avenue and SewLab USA on East Preston Street. During the tour, students met business founders, toured production spaces and learned more about manufacturing, entrepreneurship and career pathways available in the Baltimore region. “We were impressed by the students’ engagement and curiosity,” said Jean Christophe Rusatira, co-founder of Matriarch Coffee. “It is rewarding to be part of an initiative that highlights the manufacturing ecosystem in Baltimore and helps students explore potential career paths.” Earlier this year, BDC also partnered with Baltimore Brothers Inc. to provide youth participants with access to Fight Night: Boxing Returns to Baltimore, an event held at the Hilton Baltimore Inner Harbor in partnership with BDC and community stakeholders. For Andrew Muhammad, chief executive officer of Baltimore Brothers Inc., the value of these experiences goes beyond a single event. “I’ve spent my career working with young people the system had already written off — young men who were one decision away from a very different life,” Muhammad said. “What I know from that work is that access changes trajectories. When a kid sees that someone with resources actually wants them in the room, something shifts. That’s what BDC is doing, and that’s why Baltimore Brothers is all in.” Together, the programs point to a larger strategy focused on access, exposure and opportunity. Whether through internships, industry tours, community events or partnerships with youth-serving organizations, BDC aims to help young people see themselves as part of Baltimore’s future economy. By bringing students into spaces like CFG Bank Arena, local businesses, manufacturing facilities and professional development programs, BDC is working to make economic development more visible and more personal for Baltimore youth. The goal is not only to show young people what is happening in their city, but to help them imagine their place in shaping what comes next. The Baltimore Development Corporation is the entity responsible for economic development in the City of Baltimore. Its mission is to grow the city’s economy in an inclusive manner by retaining, expanding and attracting businesses and promoting investment, while increasing career opportunities for residents. More information is available at baltimoredevelopment.com.

When audiences enter Baltimore Center Stage for (pray), they should not expect a traditional play, musical or church service. According to S T A R R busby, the production lives somewhere between all of those forms and beyond them. “It is a multimedium piece,” S T A R R said. “It is a play with music. It is in the style of the choreopoem, like Ntozake Shange’s for colored girls. It is a church service that takes some turns.” Those turns include moments that may feel familiar to anyone raised in or around the Black church, along with moments designed to surprise, challenge and expand the audience’s imagination. Baltimore Center Stage describes (pray) as a kinetic and vibrant choreopoem that channels the energy of a Sunday Baptist church service while celebrating and confronting the complexities of spiritual inheritance. The production runs June 13 through July 5, 2026, with opening night set for June 20. Community Night will be held Friday, June 19 at 7:30 p.m. Written, directed and choreographed by Brooklyn-based artist, educator and activist nicHi douglas, (pray) features original music by JJJJerome Ellis and S T A R R, who also serves as music director and appears as part of the cast. For S T A R R, the project represents one of the most involved music creation experiences they have had for a theater piece. They said the work began several years ago after douglas was commissioned to create the piece and invited them and Ellis into the process. S T A R R said the collaboration with Ellis came naturally. “It was a fast, easy collaboration between the two of us,” they said. Over several years of workshops, the creative team continued shaping the sound, structure and spirit of the production. S T A R R said douglas provided specific texts that became the foundation for several musical pieces. They set much of that text to music and also contributed lyrics to “A New Apostle’s Creed,” a song featured in the show. The production premiered in New York in 2023 and now comes to Baltimore with a cast that blends returning performers with Baltimore-based and Baltimore-rooted artists. Featured performers include Tony Award winner CJay Philip, Scott Patterson, Ray Winder and Asya Melan Shaw, along with a larger ensemble of acclaimed multidisciplinary performers. S T A R R said the Baltimore cast has brought something special into the room. “Everyone is bringing something really unique and is being very generous with their spirits,” they said. “There’s just a beautiful sense of community being built in the room, and I’m hoping that people feel that as well.” While everyone is welcome to experience (pray), S T A R R is clear about who the piece centers. “Very deliberately, this piece is for Black women and femmes,” they said. For S T A R R, “Black femme” means Black femininity beyond the gender binary. It is, as they described it, the energy of a grandmother, an auntie or a cousin whose presence carries feminine love, power and care. Their hope is that Black women and femmes see themselves in the work and feel the most expansive versions of themselves reflected back. For other audience members, they hope the production opens a wider understanding of who Black women and Black femmes are. “We contain multitudes,” S T A R R said. That idea of expansiveness also shows up in their own name. Born Starr, they stylize their name as S T A R R, giving each letter space and intention. “Give me all of my letters, give me size, and give me a little room,” they said. For S T A R R, that spacing is more than a visual choice. It is a reminder not to rush into assumptions about who they are, what they carry or what they can offer. “You might think you know what’s going on, but you don’t,” they said. “Take your time, engage with it, and let’s really see what’s up.” S T A R R’s relationship to music and spirituality began early. A native Texan, they spent their first years in Beaumont before growing up primarily in Houston. Their family roots stretched across several church traditions, including COGIC, Catholic and Baptist spaces. They credit those early church experiences with teaching them how to listen, wait and improvise. “That’s where I learned how to be patient and wait and listen and then know when it’s time to offer up another song, know when it’s time to stay in a song for a while,” S T A R R said. That musical foundation continued through school. Encouraged by music teachers who recognized their gifts, S T A R R attended Houston’s High School for the Performing and Visual Arts before studying classical voice at Northwestern University. While there, they fell in love with theater and began thinking about voice not only as a musical instrument, but as an instrument of expression across genres, styles and mediums. After moving to New York, S T A R R immersed themself in experimental theater while also performing with the gospel-funk group Naomi Shelton and the Gospel Queens. That blend of church, classical training, experimental theater, gospel, funk and soul continues to shape their artistry. They said (pray) has given them a chance to bring those worlds together and honor the people and places that shaped them. “I feel like (pray) has given me the opportunity to bring all that together and say thank you for that investment in me,” S T A R R said. S T A R R is also preparing for the release of their first full-length studio album, Working Up a Surrender, due this fall on Switch Hit Records. The first single is expected in July, with more music to follow ahead of the album’s October release. Produced by Adam Schatz, the project blends soul, gospel, funk, experimental sounds and elements of 1990s and early 2000s alternative rock. Before that release, Baltimore audiences will have the opportunity to experience S T A R R’s artistry live through (pray), a production that uses music, movement and testimony to ask deeper questions about faith, inheritance and liberation. S T A R R believes the piece has a long life ahead of it. They would love to see it travel to the Deep South and reach Black women and femmes across the country and beyond. But for now, they are excited for Baltimore to receive it. “I really think it belongs wherever it is welcome,” they said. Tickets for (pray) are available at www.centerstage.org/events/pray/, by calling the Baltimore Center Stage Box Office at 410-332-0033, or in person at 700 North Calvert Street in Baltimore.

South Baltimore Gateway Partnership (SBGP) announces $553,022.92 in Community Grants to support 23 programs and projects across South and Southwest Baltimore. SBGP Community Grants funding is provided by the Local Impact Grants generated by video lottery terminals at the Maryland Live! Casino in Arundel Mills, MGM National Harbor Casino, and the Horseshoe Casino Baltimore. Since its establishment in 2016, SBGP has committed approximately $50.6 million of core intergovernmental Local Impact Grant funds to projects across the District, ranging from small community grants to large capital projects. An additional $5.6 million of projects are in development for a total mobilization of approximately $56.2 million. Reflecting SBGP’s commitment to an equitable model of investing, approximately 76 percent of core program funding to date has been distributed in historically underserved communities and communities of color within the District. This latest application cycle continues to highlight the important and varied support services provided throughout South Baltimore, amplifying existing initiatives. “We’re looking forward to expanding our civil legal services,” says Susan Frances, Executive Director of Maryland Volunteer Lawyer Services. “This grant funding will help us connect more South Baltimore residents to legal services to help stabilize housing, remove barriers to employment, and strengthen long-term economic mobility, which everyone should be able to access.” Several awarded grants this cycle focused on childhood wellness and development. “Southwest Sports and Fitness Alliance is grateful for SBGP’s support of our Mentoring through Sports program and for continuing to invest in the kind of work that strengthens neighborhoods from the inside out,” says Anthony Hudgins, Executive Director. “This grant helps us expand high-quality, school-based, after-school sports programming to two partner schools in the SBGP District area, serving 100–150 youth through 100 program sessions. For us, sports are bigger than the scoreboard. They are a way to build confidence, create healthy structure, connect young people with caring adults, and remind our youth that their community is standing behind them.” Childhood literacy programming also received funding this winter. “Our organization is committed to strengthening early relationships through shared reading. We’re excited that we’ll be able to support over 550 children ages 0-5, through this grant, who will receiving over 1,100 books at their wellness visits at Harbor Pediatrics, as well as receiving clinician‑guided, parent–child reading support,” says Callee Boulware, Regional Director of Reach Out and Read. The organization helps integrate guidance about reading into pediatric practices, advise families about the importance of building healthy relationships, and share books that serve as a catalyst for healthy childhood development and family bonds.In addition to the projects described above, Community Grants funding will support a variety of other programs, including: The “Legacy Home Repair Initiative” program will continue its home‑repair and estate‑stabilization program that helps long‑tenured SBGP District homeowners age in place safely, preserve generational wealth, and strengthen neighborhood housing stability. (Healthy Neighborhoods, Inc. – Cherry Hill, Lakeland, Mt Winans, Saint Paul, Westport) The “Tech Credential Cohort,” a year‑long STEM workforce initiative, will provide 5-6 high school students with 200 hours of training leading to industry‑recognized credentials in IT and digital design, supported by stipends, employer engagement, and structured skill development. (Digital Harbor Foundation Inc – Cherry Hill, Federal Hill, Federal Hill South, Pigtown/Washington Village, Riverside, Sharp-Leadenhall, South Baltimore Neighborhood, Stadium Area) The “Children’s Summer Wellness” program will provide trauma‑informed instruction, physical activity, nutrition education, and emotional support for children experiencing homelessness through a five-week academic and wellness program. (Baltimore Outreach Services Inc – Federal Hill) The “Weekly Food Delivery” operation will redirect high‑quality surplus food via Fishes and Loaves, increasing access to fresh meals for families, seniors, and individuals while reducing food waste. (Let’s Eat Inc – Mt. Winans, Saint Paul, Lakeland, Westport, Cherry Hill, Pigtown/Washington Village, South Baltimore Neighborhood, Carroll-Camden Industrial Area) A full list of Community Grants awards can be found here. The next application for SBGP Community Grants funding will open on July 1, 2026, at 10:00am. Visit https://sbgpartnership.org/community-grants/ to learn more and apply. About the South Baltimore Gateway Partnership SBGP was established in 2016 to help implement the South Baltimore Gateway Master Plan, a sweeping plan to improve neighborhoods near the Horseshoe Casino Baltimore, with funding provided by the Local Impact Grants generated by video lottery terminals. Under its Strategic Plan, SBGP works to improve the vitality of its communities by focusing on three crucial elements of the South Baltimore Gateway Master Plan: Community Development and Revitalization, Environmental Sustainability, and Health and Wellness. To achieve the agenda laid out in the Strategic Plan, SBGP has established three interrelated program areas: Community Grants, Enhanced Services, and Transformational Projects. For more information, visit: www.sbgpartnership.org. SBGP is not an agency of the City of Baltimore or the State of Maryland. It is governed by a Board of Directors comprised primarily of residents of the District and representatives of businesses located in the District.