By Megan Sayles
AFRO Staff Writer
msayles@afro.com
The year 2025 was a year of growth, creativity and community empowerment for Baltimoreans. The highlights below showcase the people, places and projects shaping a stronger, more vibrant Charm City.
January
City kicks off 2025 with a bang
On Jan. 1, the Baltimore Office of the Promotion of the Arts (BOPA) started the new year with fun at the Inner Harbor amphitheater. Soul Cannon and DJ Curtis of C. James Experience hit the stage before fireworks kicked off a fresh start for the city. Shown here, Baltimore City Mayor Brandon Scott addressing the crowd, with wife, Hana Pugh Scott, looking on
Photo Courtesy of the Baltimore Office of the Mayor / J.J. McQueen
February
Baltimore’s inaugural Black History Month Parade
The city of Baltimore held its first-ever Black History Month Parade on Feb. 17. Its theme was a “A Walk in Legacy,” honoring the deep history of Black trailblazers, leaders and achievement in the city.
Photo Courtesy of the Baltimore Office of the Mayor / J.J. McQueen
Easterwood Playground ribbon-cutting
On Feb. 7, the Easterwood community celebrated the ribbon-cutting for a new park, which brought recreation to a vacant site on McKean Avenue in West Baltimore. The space was informed with insight from local students.
BEYA returns to Baltimore
The BEYA STEM Conference returned to Baltimore Feb. 13-15. Organizer Dr. Tyrone Taborn, publisher, chairman and CEO of Career Communications Group, took time to honor Maj. Gen. Dr. Ronald L. Johnson (Ret.) with the Black Engineer of The Year Award. The event was successful, drawing thousands to the Baltimore Convention Center, even after federal funding was pulled.
Morgan State convenes inaugural conference addressing gun violence on college campuses
Morgan State University (MSU) President Dr. David Wilson convened the Inaugural National Conference on Gun Violence on U.S. College and University Campuses on Feb. 18 and 19 at the Marriott Waterfront Hotel in downtown Baltimore. Organized in partnership with MSU’s School of Social Work and the Center for Urban Violence and Crime Reduction, the event aimed to tackle the impact of gun violence on campus safety.
Credit: Photo courtesy of Morgan State University
CIAA Basketball Tournament brings HBCU athletes to Baltimore
Men’s and women’s basketball players from 12 historically Black colleges and universities from around the country came to Baltimore for the 2025 Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Basketball Tournament at CFG Bank Arena on Feb. 25 through March 1. The Fayetteville State Broncos won the women’s basketball title, defeating the Virginia State Trojans 64-56 on March 1. Virginia State fared better in the men’s tournament, taking the title after beating the Big Blue from Bluefield State University 71-64 on March 1. Shown here, Virginia State University player Jayson Harris (#15) scores on Bluefield State University players Romeo Aquino (#10) and Shainen Carter (#33).
Photo credit: AFRO Photo / James Fields
Afro charities breaks ground on Upton Mansion redevelopment
On Feb. 28. Afro Charities broke ground on the Upton Mansion. The West Baltimore building is the future home of Afro Charities, the AFRO Archives and the AFRO News teams. Shown here, Baltimore City Mayor Brandon M. Scott (left) alongside former AFRO Publisher Jake Oliver; current AFRO Publisher and CEO Dr. Frances “Toni” Draper; Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.); Congressman Kweisi Mfume (D-Md.-07), Afro Charities Executive Director Savannah Wood; Maryland Comptroller Brooke E. Lierman; Maryland Secretary of Housing and Community Development, Jacob R. Day; Alice Kennedy, commissioner of the Baltimore City Department of Housing and Community Development (obscured, with turquoise jacket), and Wanda Gibson Best, executive director of the Upton Planning Committee.
AFRO Photo / Alexis Taylor
March
Gov. Moore addresses Key Bridge collapse impact with Turner Station business owners
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (D) led a business roundtable in Turner Station on the March 26 anniversary of the Key Bridge collapse. At the top of the roundtable, business owners shared their experiences running their company since the Bridge collapse. They shared stories of shock, overwhelming community support and perseverance. Moore acknowledged the strong sense of community within Turner Station, recognizing it as something that has helped the county and state recover.
AFRO Photo / Tashi McQueen
April
Shannetta R. Griffin takes over as head of BWI
Shannetta R. Griffin was named the new executive director and CEO of the Maryland Aviation Administration (MAA) on April 4. As part of her role, she oversees operations of the Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI), Martin State Airport and Maryand’s regional aviation assistance program. Griffin took over for Ricky Smith, who left Baltimore to lead Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. She officially started in her new position on April 7.
Reflect and Revive West Baltimore Beautification Project
In line with the 10th anniversary of the murder of Freddie Gray, the West North Avenue Development Authority (WNADA) united the community for a day of reflection and revitalization on April 19. Residents, local organizations and city officials participated in a communal clean-up, planting and neighborhood improvements across Druid Heights, Penn North and the Sandtown-Winchester neighborhoods.
Baltimore experiences fewest homicides in a single month
In April, Baltimore had five homicides, the lowest on record in a single month. Through the close of the month, homicides and nonfatal shootings were down 31.6 percent and 27.1 percent respectively. As of Dec. 30, the city had 134 homicides.
May
Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History and Culture
On May 8 supporters of the Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History and Culture from Baltimore and beyond gathered at the M&T Bank Exchange to celebrate the institution’s 20 years of service to the community.
The museum debuted an exhibit on its namesake, “TITAN: The Legacy of Reginald F. Lewis,” in February. The Baltimore-born businessman was the first person to get into Harvard Law School off an invitation–not an application in 1965. By the early 90’s he was leader of the first Black-owned business to hit the billion dollar mark on annual sales. The exhibit on Lewis will be on view until April 2026.
Groundbreaking on Congressman Elijah Cummings Recreation Center
May 9 marked the start of construction for the new Congressman Elijah Cummings Recreation Center in Southwest Baltimore, which is set to replace the Curtis Bay Recreation Center. The site located, across the street from Curtis Bay Elementary, will include an indoor gymnasium, fitness center, locker rooms and space for community-led festivals and events. It was named in honor of Baltimore civil rights legend, Elijah Cummings, who died in 2019.
Baltimore’s first Black- and women-owned bodega opens
Chopped Broadway Bodega and Deli became the city’s first bodega to be owned Black- and women-owned on May 5. Started by Ernestine Chambers and Naté Gordon, the shop sells chopped heroes and hoagies inspired by those sold in New York’s bodegas. Unfortunately, a fire and flood forced Chambers and Gordon to relocate their concept to R. House in November. The pair are continuing to rebuild and have started a GoFundMe.
Inaugural Preakness Festival and 150th Preakness Stakes
The 150th Preakness Stakes took place at Pimlico Race Course on May 17 in West Baltimore’s Park Heights neighborhood, bringing tens of thousands of spectators to watch— and place bets on— the historic event. The race, the middle jewel of thoroughbred racing’s Triple Crown, was preceded by the first-ever Preakness Festival, an effort spearheaded by First Lady Dawn Moore that included music, arts and community events. It culminated with Journalism and his jockey Umberto Rispoli claiming the top prize.
June
Baltimore Pride turns 50
Baltimore Pride celebrated its 50th anniversary from June 8 to June 15 under the theme, “50 Shades of Pride.” The week-long gathering marked five decades of the city honoring the LGBTQ+ community’s contributions to society and promoting inclusion and acceptance. The festival included the annual Pride Parade, Pride in the Park at Druid Hill Park and block parties. Shown here, Christle Nwora (left), Trent Johnson and Glory Nwora enjoy the 2025 Pride Parade in Baltimore.
Photo credit: AFRO Photo / Alexis Taylor
Associated Black Charities celebrates 40th anniversary
Associated Black Charities (ABC) held its 2025 anniversary gala under the theme, “40 Years of Triumph and Truth,” on June 14 at The Hall At Live! Casino. The event commemorated four decades of the Baltimore-based organization’s commitment to eliminating structural racism, closing the racial wealth gap and fostering thriving Black communities across Maryland.
July
Morgan makes strides in research commitments, economic impact
In July, Morgan State University marked a number of wins, including exceeding $100 million in research commitments for the first time in the historically Black university’s history and growing its annual economic impact on Maryland from $1 billion in 2021 to now $1.5 billion.
Grand opening of Creole Soul Restaurant
Mother-daughter duo Shunquita “Chef Que” Neal and Ashley Wilson held a grand opening for their Southern, Creole concept on July 4. The pair previously operated the spot as a stall at R. House. The new Fells Point location marks their first standalone brick-and-mortar restaurant.
August
AFRO NEWS turns 133
On Aug. 13, AFRO News turned 133 years old. Founded in 1892, the paper has sustained and thrives today with Dr. Frances “Toni” Murphy Draper (center) at the helm.
Photo credits: AFRO Photo / Stephen Hopkins
Groundbreaking on New Park Heights Library and C.C. Jackson Park Expansion
After a decades-long campaign, construction of a new library for Park Heights started on Aug. 27. The West Baltimore community has been without a library since 2001. As part of the $19.3 million project, C.C. Jackson Park will also be upgraded with an expanded walking loop, new fitness station, a pavilion, larger playgrounds, athletic field and community green space.
Southwest Baltimore gets 71 affordable housing units
Volunteers of America, a human services nonprofit, introduced 71 newly renovated affordable apartments in Southwest Baltimore’s Irvington neighborhood on Aug. 4. The units, located at The Residences at Irvington Woods, are set to provide affordable housing to 130 Baltimore residents— with a special focus on serving veterans, formerly unhoused people and individuals with mental health needs.
September
Metropolitan United Methodist Church (MUMC) celebrates 200th anniversary
Metropolitan United Methodist Church (MUMC) celebrated its 200th anniversary as a historically Black institution in Baltimore on Sept. 13 at Forum Caterers.
Established in the early 19th century, the church came into being at a time when African Americans had to fight for both their physical and religious freedoms. Today, the church serves as one of the city’s most enduring symbols of faith, resilience and purpose.
Credit: Courtesy photo
October
Morgan State University sets enrollment record for fifth consecutive year
During the 2025 to 2026 school year, Morgan State University will welcome 11,559 students to its campus, a new record for the historically Black university. The university announced the milestone on Oct. 20, marking five years of consecutive growth.
Coppin State University celebrates 125th anniversary
On Oct. 18, alumni, students, faculty and community leaders gathered to celebrate Coppin State University’s 125th anniversary during a black-tie gala at the Baltimore Marriott Waterfront. The historically Black university launched the largest fundraising effort in its history, the BE MORE Capital Campaign. The goal was to raise $25 million by the 125th anniversary. By the end of the anniversary gala the university had reached $25.5 million.
Photo credit: Photo courtesy of Coppin State University/Institutional Advancement Team
Bethel AME Church celebrates 240 years
On Oct. 26 Bethel AME Church celebrated their 240th Anniversary Sunday with guest preacher and former pastor, Bishop John R. Bryant.
The church’s history dates back to 1785, when Richard Allen, a young lay preacher with the Black Methodist Episcopal Church (MEC) became involved with a Baltimore church that had free African Americans in the pews. Allen didn’t have long at his station, as roughly a year into his assignment dissent arose between the church leadership and Black congregants. According to information released by the church, some of the African-American members of the body decided to break off and begin meeting on their own. They called themselves the African Methodist Society, which evolved into the Bethel AME Church that still stands strong in 2025.
“In 1801 a preacher by the name of Daniel Coker joined the Bethel prayer group. In 1811, he became the first official pastor as Bethel was incorporated and named the African Methodist Bethel Church of Baltimore City,” reads the church history. “In 1816, Rev. Daniel Coker led a Bethel delegation to a conference called by that same Rev. Richard Allen in Philadelphia. At the conference, the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church was created with Richard Allen being consecrated the founding bishop of the denomination. The largest delegation at the conference was from Bethel Baltimore. Thus, Bethel AME Church – Baltimore is one of the founding congregations of the AME Church.”
Credit: Photo courtesy of Bethel AME Church (1911 Souvenir Program)
Carmelo Anthony opens “House of Melo” exhibit
NBA all-star Carmelo Anthony celebrated the opening of the “House of Melo” exhibit at the Enoch Pratt Free Library’s Central Branch. Though he was born in New York, Anthony spent his formative years in West Baltimore. The exhibit, which closed on Dec. 20, traced his journey from growing up in disinvested neighborhoods to becoming one of the most recognizable figures in basketball.
November
Re-opening of Mary E. Rodman Rec Center
Southwest Baltimore’s Allendale community welcomed the opening of the revamped Mary E. Rodman Rec Center on Nov. 21 following nearly three years of closure. The renovated facility includes a new fitness center, community kitchen, increased accessibility for residents with disabilities, a new basketball court and expanded playground.
Baltimore continues to experience declines in homicides and nonfatal shootings
In November, there were 15 homicides and 18 shootings in Baltimore— marking a 29.8 percent reduction in homicides and 25.2 percent reduction in nonfatal shootings compared to 2024. Through the end of November, the city experienced 127 and 288 shootings in total for 2025, 54 fewer murders and 97 fewer nonfatal shootings compared to the same time period in 2024.
December
Charm City Circulator expands transportation access in East Baltimore
On Dec. 7, the Charm City Circulator, a free transportation service, extended its Green Route to East Baltimore neighborhoods, including Broadway East, Oliver and East Baltimore Midway. The expansion connects more residents to major destinations across the city, like downtown, the Johns Hopkins Hospital campus and multiple Metro stations, while adding new services to areas, including the Inner Harbor, Orleans Street, North Broadway and North Avenue.
