By Dayvon Love
Unfortunately, we live in a society that does not take young Black men, who refuse to conform to a White mainstream, seriously. Political maturity is often characterized as being the kind of Black man that White people feel good about. When I co-founded Leaders of a Beautiful Struggle (LBS) as a 23 year old I was determined to build a political organization that could advocate unapologetically for Black people in Baltimore.
Along the way there were many elders who told me that I would eventually have to “grow up” and be like the other mainstream activists and political figures. Charles was one of the Black men who encouraged me and would advise on how to navigate Baltimore’s political landscape. As a Black man from west Baltimore he understood what it was like for people not to believe in you or take you seriously.
The first few years of LBS’ existence we were a relatively politically obscure organization. People in elected office would often treat us like we didn’t exist. Charles was one of the only journalists who interviewed me for important issues that we were working on in Annapolis. His decision to interview a relatively obscure organization like mine on major topics was a sign of genuine belief in what we do. It was his coverage of our work, particularly in Black media spaces, that conferred political legitimacy on us in ways that many were too afraid to.
Engaging LBS meant that he was putting his own reputation on the line. He held himself to the highest professional and journalistic standards, so his reputation meant something to him. I don’t take it lightly that he saw our work worthy of extending his political and professional credibility.
The last conversation I had with him was at the Baltimore Meta Gala in 2024. My lady is an amazing visual artist and her work was selected to be a part of an art exhibit at the event. Her and I were waiting in line to enter and he was covering the event. He came over to me to tell me some of the latest political inside information. He then referenced a conversation that has happened over the years amongst old Black men in the Baltimore political world about the fact that LBS folks don’t dress formally enough in their judgment. Charles was ambivalent about it. He was old school so he was going to be dressed up more likely than not. But he didn’t feel that strongly about it like others did.
“I know over the years we old heads told y’all that if you don’t start dressing up more it will impact your ability to accomplish your goals…I guess you guys proved us wrong,” he said. His laughter as spoke let me know that it was his way of saying that he was proud of me.
Rest in Power big homie.
The opinions expressed in this commentary are those of the writer and not necessarily those of the AFRO.