October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and communities across Maryland, Washington D.C. and Virginia are coming together to honor survivors, promote early detection and offer resources. From awareness walks and rallies to health discussions and free screenings, these free events provide opportunities to support the cause and get involved.
Author Archives: Andrea Stevens
Posted inBUSINESS
Meet the Maryland veterans forging new paths from service to small business success
From gourmet burgers to high-tech solutions, Black-owned veteran businesses across Maryland are shaping communities with innovation and resilience. This spotlight highlights five standout ventures—from a father-son carry-out kitchen to a pioneering oyster bar—each proving that military discipline and entrepreneurial passion are a powerful combination.
Posted inBaltimore News
Hotline and online support guide: Where to turn when you’re in crisis
Specialized suicide prevention resources tailored to men, women, LGBTQ+ individuals and youth are making mental health support more accessible. With insight from longtime crisis counselor Tina Field, this guide highlights key national hotlines and tips from organizations helping to save lives through empathy and connection.
Posted inEducation
How Baltimore schools support students living with sickle cell
Baltimore school nurse Mary Caudle is working to destigmatize sickle cell disease and ensure students receive individualized care plans, legal accommodations and classroom support so they can safely access education and thrive.
Posted inEducation
How Dent Education is building the next generation of innovators
Dent Education empowers Baltimore youth ages 14 to 24 through paid, hands-on entrepreneurship programs. With up to 320 hours of immersive learning, students gain skills in business, design thinking and leadership. The nonprofit helps students turn ideas into real ventures while building confidence, community and long-term impact.
Posted inBaltimore News
Baltimore residents weigh in on search for next city schools CEOÂ
Baltimore City residents joined Mayor Brandon M. Scott and school board leaders for a telephone town hall to share input on the search for the next CEO of Baltimore City Public Schools. Community feedback will help shape the candidate profile and guide the hiring process ahead of current CEO Dr. Sonja Santelises’ departure in 2026.
Posted inMental Health
Hotline guide: Where to turn when you’re in crisis
Specialized suicide prevention resources tailored to men, women, LGBTQ+ individuals and youth are making mental health support more accessible. With insight from longtime crisis counselor Tina Field, this guide highlights key national hotlines and tips from organizations helping to save lives through empathy and connection.
Posted inHealth
‘I’m important too’: The role of self-care in postpartum healing
Postpartum recovery isn’t about going back to who you were before motherhood—it’s about rediscovering yourself through intentional self-care. In this article, a mother and a doula share honest reflections on how rest, movement, boundaries, and self-compassion shape healing after birth.
Posted inINTERNATIONAL
Ghanaian nonprofit steps up in the fight against sickle cell
While early diagnosis and treatment of sickle cell disease are standard in the United States, many children in Ghana are not diagnosed until serious complications arise. The International Sickle Cell Centre in Accra is working to change that through education, advocacy, and support for families facing stigma, financial hardship and limited medical access.
Posted inBaltimore News
Advocates warn of racial harm in new juvenile monitoring guidelines
The Maryland Department of Juvenile Services is changing how it handles youth on electronic monitoring, allowing for detention if they reoffend. While state officials say the move balances safety and support, advocates warn it will deepen racial disparities and criminalize youth before trial.
Posted inBUSINESS
Black women business owners are redefining Baltimore’s future
In Baltimore, Black women entrepreneurs are reshaping the city’s economic and cultural future. From downtown revitalization to oyster innovation and creative stationery, Shelonda Stokes, Jasmine Norton and Alisa Brock are building purpose-driven businesses rooted in community and resilience.
Posted inBUSINESS
Investing in equity: How grants provide Black women with pathways to success
Black women are launching businesses at record rates but often face steep barriers to funding. Grant programs like SoGal, IFundWomen of Color and the Fearless Fund are stepping up to fill the gap. With expert insights from Felicia Wise of UNCF, this article explores how targeted funding and transparent communication can help Black women entrepreneurs thrive.