Robert Thomas, former executive director of Baltimore City Public Markets Corp., hopes the markets can continue to grow and improve to achieve a broader reach and higher visibility and effectiveness. (Courtesy photo) By Megan Sayles AFRO Business Writer Report for America Corps Member msayles@afro.com After 24 years of serving Baltimore City’s public markets, Robert Thomas […]
Author Archives: Megan Sayles AFRO Staff Writer
Megan Sayles is a business reporter for The Baltimore Afro-American paper. Before this, Sayles interned with Baltimore Magazine, where she wrote feature stories about the city’s residents, nonprofits and initiatives. Her love of music inspired her to be a writer. At a young age she realized it was not the melody that she was so infatuated with, but the lyrics that made up the song and connected with listeners. Sayles grew up in Pasadena, Maryland, and is a 2021 graduate of the University of Maryland, where for her senior capstone project she reported on how the coronavirus and inequality intersected in Baltimore. She also worked as a staff writer and copy editor for campus publications, including Stories Beneath the Shell and The Black Explosion. Sayles teamed up with a partner to report on how the pandemic had put many more responsibilities on the oldest child in families. The Associated Press and other news organizations picked up her story.
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TD Ready Challenge awards grants to address students’ learning loss from virtual schooling
Shelley Sylva is head of U.S. corporate citizenship for TD Bank. (Courtesy photo) By Megan Sayles AFRO Business Writer, Report for America Corps Member msayles@afro.com TD Bank recently launched its annual TD Ready Challenge, a $10 million grant competition for North American nonprofit and community organizations that provide innovative solutions to global issues. This year, […]
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Blk Swan provides patrons with fine dining experience and ‘urban elevated’ ambiance
Executive Chef Saon Brice played a significant role in creating the design for Blk Swan, and his menu pays homage to Baltimore favorites like the chicken box and jumbo lump crab cakes. (Courtesy photo) By Megan Sayles AFRO Business Writer Report for America Corps Member msayles@afro.com Harbor East’s newest restaurant Blk Swan, which serves up […]
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WETATi hosts business pitch competition for D.M.V. students
This year’s participants in the pitch competition have been working with coaches for weeks to perfect their business plans, and at the convention they will network with potential employers and investors. (Courtesy photo) By Megan Sayles AFRO Business Writer Report for America Corps Member msayles@afro.com We’re Empowered to Achieve The impossible (WETATi), an organization that […]
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Seasoned beauty broker launches skincare line for 50+ women of color
Germaine Bolds-Leftridge already owns a marketing company that has cultivated multicultural brands, including Oyin Handmade, Curls Dynasty and Mielle Organics. Now, she is prepared to launch her own brand to benefit women in the “platinum” age group. (Courtesy photo) By Megan Sayles AFRO Business Writer Report for America Corps Member msayles@afro.com After 30 years of […]
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Ravens include the community in their business
Huddle For 100 around downtown Baltimore on September 23, 2019. Lamar Jackson and Willie Snead IV at Webster Kendrick Boys & Girls Club. Chris Moore at St. Vincent De Paul Society. Our Daily Bread with Mark Ingram and Marshal Yanda. Maryland Center for Veterans with Brandon Williams and Chris Wormley. (Photo courtesy of the Baltimore […]
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‘J’s on our feet:’ How Michael Jordan made millions from Air Jordans
Everybody wanted to be like Mike, and that was not lost on Nike. The Jordan brand eventually secured a monopoly on shoes for the NBA, and now players like the Celtics’ Jayson Tatum and the Pelicans’ Zion Williamson rep the sneakers on the court. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus, File) By Megan Sayles AFRO Business Writer Report […]
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NBA All Stars turned business moguls: Shaq and Magic
Shaquille “Shaq” O’Neal followed a critical piece of money advice from Magic Johnson early on. Johnson explained that while being famous was great, O’Neal would need to start owning things to remain successful. Thanks to this guidance, O’Neal is one of the richest former NBA players of all time alongside Johnson with net worth of […]
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Black owners and general managers change the game behind the scenes
Frank Robinson was a baseball Hall of Famer who played for the Baltimore Orioles before returning to manage the team and was honored with the American League Manager of the Year award in 1989. (Courtesy photo) By Megan Sayles AFRO Business Writer Report for America Corps Member msayles@afro.com When you turn on the TV to […]
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The legacy of Dorothy Brunson: Black female radio innovator
Dorothy Brunson was a trailblazer for Black women in broadcasting, and she pioneered the urban contemporary format for radio. (Courtesy photo) By Megan Sayles, AFRO Business Writer Report for America Corps Member msayles@afro.com Radio was where notable Black women like Oprah Winfrey and Cathy Hughes got their start, but it was the late Dorothy Brunson […]
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New director of Baltimore’s DPW hopes to cultivate a cleaner and healthier city
Jason Mitchell, a native of Oakland, California, officially became the director of Baltimore City’s Department of Public Works in May, and his top priorities are revamping the water billing system and managing illegal dumping sites. (Courtesy photo) By Megan Sayles, AFRO Business Writer Report for America Corps Member msayles@afro.com Mayor Brandon Scott announced in March […]
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JPMorgan Chase’s community branches work to improve financial health in underserved communities
JPMorgan Chase Community Manager Brian Atkins, left, and Branch Manager Jua Williams, right, are both residents of the community, and hope they can make a difference in Ward 7 and 8 by providing residents with financial literacy. (Courtesy photo) By Megan Sayles AFRO Business Writer, Report for America Corps Member msayles@afro.com JPMorgan Chase’s 2020 Path […]
