Associated Black Charities (ABC) is celebrating its 40th year of service in 2025. On June 14 the organization held its annual anniversary gala, celebrating decades of impact, leadership and progress in advancing racial and economic equity. Shown here, the four trailblazing women who have guided ABC through pivotal moments, and the current president and CEO of ABC, Chrissy Thornton: Donna Jones Baker (far left); Thornton (second from left), Mary Demory (middle), Diane Bell-McKoy (second from right), Barbara Blount-Armstrong (far right). (Photo courtesy of Associated Black Charities)

By Tavon N. Thomasson
AFRO Intern

On June 14, 2025, Associated Black Charities (ABC) hosted its 2025 Gala, under the theme of  “40 Years of Truth and Triumph.” The sold-out event brought together supporters, community leaders and long-standing partners to honor the organization’s legacy and reaffirm its commitment to advancing racial and economic equity across Maryland.

This year’s gala paid special tribute to four trailblazing women who have each led ABC through pivotal moments in its 40-year legacy: Mary Demory, Donna Jones Baker, Barbara Blount-Armstrong and Diane Bell-McKoy. 

Mary Demory was the organization’s first executive director from 1985 to 1988. According to information released by the organization, ABC was established in 1985 after United Way provided a $100,000 planning grant. Demory was instrumental in shaping the organization’s original mission to confront and dismantle the barriers created by structural racism.

Mary Demory is recognized as ABC’s inaugural executive director (1985-1988), helping shape the organization’s early focus on mobilizing African American philanthropy. (Photo courtesy of Associated Black Charities)

Donna Jones Baker, a former executive director of ABC, led the organization from 1989 to 2004 during a period of growth and change. She helped transform the organization from a “$500,000 operation into a statewide institution with a $25 million budget.” Her leadership and vision help position ABC as a leading voice for Black economic empowerment across Maryland.

Donna Jones Baker plays a key role in ABC’s legacy, having led the organization during a period of strategic growth (1989-2004) that transforms it into a statewide force for Black economic advancement. (Photo courtesy of Associated Black Charities)

As ABC’s intern president and CEO from 2005 to 2006, Barbara Blount-Armstrong brought clarity and leadership during a time of transition for the organization. She now continues her work in higher education at Morgan State University as the corporations and foundations officer.

Barbara Blount-Armstrong serves a steady force in ABC’s history, guiding the organization as interim president and CEO (2005-2006) while championing education and institutional partnerships. (Photo courtesy of Associated Black Charities)

Leading ABC from 2006 to 2022, Diane Bell-McKoy became its longest-serving president and CEO. During her time, she spearheaded the “More in the Middle” campaign to support the growth of the African American middle class by confronting systematic inequalities. 

Diane Bell-McKoy, serves as a transformative leader in ABC’s history, centering racial equity in economic policy and launching initiatives that helped support Black communities during her tenure as president and CEO from (2006-2022). (Photo courtesy of Associated Black Charities)

While part of the evening focused on honoring the legacy of these women and what they had done for the organization, current president and CEO Chrissy M. Thornton delivered a speech to those in attendance that echoed the theme of resilience– even in the current political and social climate. 

Chrissy M. Thornton, current president and CEO of ABC, continues to lead the organization with a bold focus on racial and economic equity. (Photo courtesy of Associated Black Charities)

“We are not waiting for the world to change. We are changing it,” she said, emphasizing that the fight against oppression requires no one’s permission.

Thornton acknowledged that many are living in a time where our understanding of equity, justice and freedom is under constant threat. Across the country, she warned, there are powerful and well-funded efforts underway to reverse the progress that has been hard-won over the years.

“It doesn’t feel that good–not to those of us who had to live our own lives, navigating systems that were not built for our safety. If you look around this room, you will see other people who are not shocked by injustice, but shaped by it,” said Thornton. “People who are…underpaid, overlooked, over policed, displaced, harmed in hospitals, left behind in schools, and still being told that our case must be proven before it is believed.”

While Thornton did not shy away from naming the realities many Black communities still face, she made it clear that ABC is meeting this moment with purpose. 

Lenora Howze, AFRO executive and advertising director (left), and Diane Hocker, AFRO public relations manager (right), attend ABC’s 40th Anniversary Gala. (Photo courtesy of Associated Black Charities)

“We are thriving. We have sharpened our focus, expanded our roots and deepened our impact. We’ve launched bold initiatives, we’ve built transformative partnerships and we’ve continued to speak truth in spaces where it’s welcome and where it is,” she said. “ABC is thriving because we refuse to die in our missions. We are thriving because our community continues to pour into us, and we are thriving because we understand [that] to build a future where Black people have opportunity, we must leave with an unshakable commitment to doing the work.”

Thornton closed her remarks to those in the room by urging them to take ownership of the movement for equity and justice– not just for the moment but for the future. 

“We need your time, your treasure, your truth. Movements don’t sustain themselves. We sustain them by how we show up, how we speak up, and how we put our faith into action—not just for one night, but for a lifetime.”