A Stand For Justice. A Consistent Stand Against Racism. A Recommitment to Bring About Change.

AP Source: John Harbaugh leaving the Baltimore Ravens after 18 seasons as coach

January 6, 2026

We the Board Members of Baltimore’s first fully inclusive club established in 1962 as a gathering place for members regardless of race, gender, religion and creed, now stand united against the persistent attitudes and practices that have once again been exposed in this dark hour of our national life and which make clear the long hard work still before us.

In recent days, we have shared the anguish of the members of our community over the excruciating, senseless death of George Floyd at the hands of those sworn to serve and protect. This latest tragedy, felt so viscerally by the black community in every place, has reopened wounds still not healed in our own city just five years since another black man – Freddie Gray – died also in police custody and for no other reason than being suspected of a petty crime. The feelings of fear, anger, exhaustion, anxiety and despair are again real and justified. And they are shared by us.

As Members of the Center Club we pledge to continue to ensure a place where diverse experiences and ideas can be shared; where candid discussion is conducted and mutual respect and greater understanding are demonstrated; where all are asked to accept their responsibility for changing hearts and minds and devising solutions to the painful realities that continue to sow racial division and turmoil in our city, across our state and throughout our nation.

We join with persons of conscience everywhere in condemning racism in all its forms – whether blatant or subtle. We demand equal voice and equal justice for those whose liberties and protections are enshrined in our nation’s founding principles, but whose experiences have been marked by painful struggle and unconscionable delay. We uphold our commitment to equity and inclusivity, while promoting the worth and dignity of all within our community.

We stand with the many in our city, across our nation and world who now march in peaceful demonstration as we recommit our individual and collective efforts to ending the scourge of systemic racism wherever and in whatever form it can still be discerned. We call on our public officials to root out failed practices and policies; to be accountable and hold accountable any and all who would impede our progress to come together and heal.

We resolve in our personal and professional conduct that what is in our power to change for the better in this day, and in whatever capacity, we will.

Signed,

Patricia J. Mitchell IBM, Retired President, Center Club Board

Calvin G. Butler, Jr. Exelon Utilities Vice President, Center Club Board

Mark Deering MacKenzie Companies Secretary, Center Club Board

Bonnie Phipps Yaffe & Company, Inc. Treasurer, Center Club Board

Denise Adah Avantax Investment Services

Christine Aspell KPMG, LLP

Anirban Basu Sage Policy Group, Inc.

Frank Bonaventure Baker Donelson

Barbara Bozzuto

Bradley Chambers Union Memorial Hospital

August Chiasera M&T Bank

Michael Cryor The Cryor Group, LLC.

Guy E. Flynn DLA Piper, US LLP

Kirby Fowler

John B. Frisch Shawan Leadership

Donald Fry Greater Baltimore Committee

Jason Groves Medifast

Al Hutchinson Visit Baltimore

Daniel Joerres WBAL-TV

Alvin Katz Katz Abosch

Louis Kousouris Artemis Properties

Lawrence A. LaMotte Advocacy Options

Keith Lee Brown Capital Management

Julia Marciari-Alexander Walters Art Museum

Tamla Olivier BGE

Joey Price Jumpstart-HR

Rhonda Pringle Baltimore Business Journal

Ronald Peterson Johns Hopkins Health System, Retired

Shanaysha Sauls Baltimore Community Foundation

Mary Pat Seurkamp MPK&D Partners

Shelonda Stokes Downtown Partnership

Gregory W. Tucker The Tucker Group LLC

Stacey Ullrich

Mark Weigman T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc.

Charles Young Young’s Accounting Service

100 Light Street, Baltimore, MD 21202 • 410.727.7788 • www.centerclub.org

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AP Source: John Harbaugh leaving the Baltimore Ravens after 18 seasons as coach