Gov. Wes Moore turns 45 on Oct. 15. In his first year as governor, he has worked to make Maryland a place where women’s reproductive rights are protected, signed and supported gun reform legislation and re-invigorated movement on the Baltimore Red Line. (Photo credit: AP Photo)

By Tashi McQueen,
AFRO Political writer,
Tmcqueen@afro.com

Gov. Wes Moore, Maryland’s first Black governor, turns 45 on Oct. 15. The young governor has a powerful resume that includes service as a captain in the 82nd Airborne, multiple best-selling books on racial equity and opportunity and an educational background that includes time as a Rhodes Scholar. 

Moore selected the Hippodrome Theater as the location for his Oct. 12 birthday celebration, which featured performances by rap artists LL Cool J, MC Lyte and D-Nice.

“Wishing Governor Moore many more birthdays ahead,” said Sen. Cory McCray (D-Md.-45). “[I’m] Excited about the work that he did this past legislative session to build on our successes in past years to raise the minimum wage. With his leadership, Maryland’s minimum wage will be accelerated to $15.00 on January 1, 2024, and that is something we all can be proud of!”

As governor thus far, Moore has authored ten pieces of legislation, invested $122 million into local police departments throughout the state and $11 million to rejuvenate West Baltimore. The legislation addressed Moore’s initiatives, including a gap service year option for recent high school graduates, child tax credits and monetary support for Maryland’s veterans.

Jan. 18, 2024, will mark Moore’s first full year in office.

Correction: The article originally stated that Gov. Wes Moore served as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army. It has been corrected to reflect that Moore served as a captain in the 82nd Airborne.