By Tashi McQueen
AFRO Staff Writer
tmcqueen@afro.com
As Cherry Hill, a historic majority-Black community in Baltimore City, continues to improve, women like Tracey Garrett-Rogers, ZeeVelle Nottingham-Lemon and Malika Brown are leading the neighborhood into the next generation of success.
Malika Brown, a lifelong resident and community organizer, serves on the boards of the Cherry Hill Community Coalition and the upcoming 80th anniversary gala.
“Cherry Hill Homes was the first planned Black community in the United States,” said Brown, 39. “We take pride in understanding our history to help us propel forward. Being the first planned Black housing development allowed the founding families to showcase Black pride. With the changing demographic, we want to hold true to the founding families’ wishes.”
Those wishes included ensuring Cherry Hill would be a neighborhood where Black Americans could afford to live, build generational wealth and raise families in a tight-knit community, according to Brown. The anniversary celebration honors the time of the official dedication of the community, which happened in February 1946.
As the community works to celebrate 80 years of history, current leaders are continuing efforts to honor Cherry Hill’s past, while advocating for residents and building a stronger future for generations to come.
One of the most pressing concerns facing the community is access to healthy and affordable food, as the neighborhood currently lacks a full-service grocery store.
The issue extends beyond Cherry Hill. A December 2025 Johns Hopkins University survey of nearly 1,500 Baltimore residents found that 58 percent of Black residents throughout the city reported experiencing food insecurity in 2025, up from 38 percent in 2024 and 54 percent in 2023.
Brown said one of her top hopes for the future of the community is to see a full-service market open so residents can access fresh produce, meats and grains at affordable prices.
Garrett-Rogers, 61, lived in Cherry Hill until age 13 and later returned to serve as principal of Historic Cherry Hill Elementary and Middle School from 2010 to 2021. After 35 years in education, she now focuses on supporting the community through the Cherry Hill Community Coalition.
“With the Cherry Hill Community Coalition, we are what we call the ‘umbrella organization’ in the community,” said Garrett-Rogers. “We bring all the organizations and stakeholders together for our monthly meetings.”
She said one of the coalition’s most effective gatherings is the public safety committee meeting, where residents meet monthly with police, residents and partner organizations.
ZeeVelle Nottingham-Lemon, 39, executive director of Cherry Hill Strong and a board member, has worked in the community, helping residents build the group since 2021. Cherry Hill Strong organizes residents, turns ideas into action and helps move the community’s plans forward.
One major project this year highlights the group’s ongoing efforts: the community’s 80th anniversary celebration.
The Cherry Hill 80th Anniversary Gala will take place May 16 from 7-11 p.m. at Martin’s West, 6817 Dogwood Road, Baltimore. The black-tie event will celebrate the community’s history and highlight its future. Proceeds will fund scholarships awarded that night.
“It is a symbol of the tides turning in Cherry Hill,” said Nottingham-Lemon. “It’s a homecoming, a calling back to reinvesting and getting involved in the transformation of Cherry Hill as is self-determined by the actual people in and from Cherry Hill.”
The evening will feature guest speakers, dinner, music by DJ Eli and dancing. Tickets cost $125.