By Kendra Bryant
Special to the AFRO
The Associated Black Charities (ABC) and Youth Resiliency Institute hosted another installment of the “Community Convos” series with a film screening of “Termite” at MedStar Harbor Hospital Baum Auditorium in Cherry Hill on Feb. 19. The event sparked conversations centered on positive change and connecting residents to strengthen the community.
“During this time of people trying to erase Black history, it is important that the local community come together and help fix the issues ourselves,” said Chrissy Thornton, CEO of ABC. “We know that sometimes we have to be the source of solving things within our community, which is why we bring out our own community resources.”
Local organizations including the Dyslexia Tutoring Program (DPT), Maryland Department of General Services, Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service and GreenLight Fund Baltimore gathered at the auditorium to provide attendees with information on free assistance programs.
“Reading is, of course, a foundation of success,” said Jonothan Bramell, a member of DPT. “Even though we’re now climbing back up that ladder, there are still a lot of kids left behind. Our goal is to try and get as many kids in Baltimore City evaluated to screen for dyslexia style of learning and of course understand how to provide parents resources to see what they can do to help their child.”
According to the Every Library Institute, a nonprofit focused on library funding support, a lack of access to education is one of the major contributing factors to incarceration in the United States. Adults with low literacy skills are far more likely to be under-or unemployed, which increases chances of contact with law enforcement as other means to make money are sought.
Transitioning into a discussion of change, Thornton posed a question to better understand attendees’ needs and vision for the community.
“What are your dreams for the Cherry Hill community?” Thronton asked attendees.
Community members expressed a desire for church involvement to help bridge the gap between youth and elders through mentorship and guidance. Others emphasized teaching profitable trade skills, such as HVAC, to provide young people with career paths.
“A lot of these kids do not want to be on the streets,” said Sista-Q, comedian and community volunteer. “But they’re looking for ways to make money.”
During the session, attendees were able to learn about Cherry Hill community leader Kin “Termite” Lane Brown with the screening of “Termite: A Baltimore Story.” The documentary explores Brown’s battle with grief after the loss of her parents, the Muslim faith and her more than a decade of community service.
“Growing up in Cherry Hill was amazing,” said Brown. “It is a community of love. Cherry Hill has been known to do amazing things. We’ve celebrated 365 days without a shooting or homicide– not two, but three times– in Cherry Hill.”
While locals celebrate reductions in crime, concerns about new developments to the area, such as the Baltimore Peninsula continue.
“You take the money, you take the developers, you take all of these people that don’t live in our community who are trying to make decisions for our community,” said Brown. “They’re trying to displace, remove and replace the community. In Cherry Hill, I’m telling y’all, you’ve got to stand for something or all y’all will be standing on the other side. That stands for everybody.”
Brown is a member of The Guardians of Baltimore, previously worked at the Patapsco Recreation Center and Safe Streets. She continues her 50-year legacy in Cherry Hill and plans to move into her new home next month.
ABC Charities plans to continue hosting community events in Cherry Hill to uplift and support the residents.