By Catherine Pugh
Special to the AFRO
KEYS Development hosted “One Baltimore: A Night of Unity in Action” on Nov. 24 at Lexington Market in downtown Baltimore, bringing together behavioral health providers, elected officials and community leaders to advance mental wellness and shared responsibility for the city’s future.
The event focused on networking and in-depth discussions about mental health, healing and Baltimore’s path forward. Providers were recognized as civic partners—connecting residents to healing, stability and new opportunities—and KEYS reaffirmed its belief that progress relies on collective leadership.
One Baltimore was designed by KEYS Development, a CARF-accredited behavioral health provider serving youth, adults and families across Baltimore, to strengthen ties between policy, community voices and the behavioral health sector. The gathering encouraged organizations to build partnerships with service providers, ensuring youth and families have access to not just mentoring but also licensed clinical care when needed.
“Mental wellness is a civic responsibility, not a siloed service,” said KEYS Development CEO Abdul Salaam. “Baltimore’s progress depends on collaborative action across every sector, and we cannot see healthier communities unless we literally build them together.”
The event also honored District 40 State Sen. Antonio Hayes for his work expanding mental and behavioral health resources throughout Maryland. Hayes said, “Maryland needs a greater focus on youth between the ages of 13 and 17 years old.”
A central discussion featured Mayor Brandon M. Scott and Hayes, and was moderated by Diane Bell-McKoy. Bell-McKoy emphasized “emotional wellness,” stressing the need to address trauma, foster resilience and humanize care. Both Scott and Hayes reflected on how their upbringing in Park Heights and Penn North influenced their commitment to emotional wellness and healing in Baltimore, highlighting KEYS Development’s role as a first point of contact for families dealing with trauma or instability. They stressed the importance of directing investments—such as $96 million in state funds—to communities where support is most needed.
Scott spoke openly about his vision for a healed, emotionally well Baltimore where care is accessible and neighborhoods are connected. “We need groups like those in this room, from our community to secure funding for these services,” he said.
Bell-McKoy concluded her segment by noting, “Healing doesn’t begin in policy, it begins in people.”
Keith Roles, KEYS’ chief of External Affairs and Partnerships, underscored the urgency of the initiative.
“We can’t sit on the sidelines and expect policy to work for us. Our focus, our voice and yes—our dollars—need to shape policies that impact our communities,” he said. “Politicians listen when we show up with unity, intention and power. Providers carry the stories, the data and the truth about what our families face. This is the moment, because nobody is coming to save us but us.”