Brendan Lee, chosen Baltimore’s Hometown Champion.
Radio One, the only African-American owned multi-media company predominantly targeting African Americans successfully launched its 2nd Annual Hometown Champions national contest to honor unsung public servants and community activists that were nominated and voted by their peers. Awardees won $1000, two tickets to the NAACP’s Image Award, hotel accommodations and a personal meet and greet with gospel recording artist Erica Campbell.
Brendan Lee was chosen as Baltimore’s Hometown Champion because of his dedication to the city’s youth. At a young age, Brendan fell victim to his surroundings due to a lack of guidance. After losing family and friends to alcoholism and street violence, he didn’t believe that he would live to reach adulthood. At the age 27, Brendan is a behavior specialist at City Springs Charter School, and a motivational speaker. He was awarded Key Staff Member of the Year by the State of Maryland for his assistance in decreasing suspensions in a high poverty school. He recently spoke at the White House to address issues plaguing today’s youth. Brendan Lee has made numerous contributions to his city. On or off the clock, he goes above and beyond to help children. He always says, “We live in a society where doing wrong is considered doing right and doing right is considered doing wrong, and my goal is to change that.
Receiving several hundred nominations and countless votes after a national radio and digital campaign soliciting applications, Radio One proudly announced and awarded fifteen people representing each of its major radio markets. The winners’ contributions to their several communities spanned from across industries, from a pastor and lawyer to a juvenile probation officer and yoga instructor; and generations spanning from 25 years old to 55+. The awarded Hometown Champions have volunteered their homes to over 70 foster children, raised money for breast cancer and HIV/AIDs research and even opened food pantries and created youth mentorship programs without payment and for many without recognition until now.
“Radio One is the proud originator of the Hometown Champions contest because it embodies the entrepreneurial spirit and community engagement that mirrors how we were founded,” said Yashima White AziLove, vice president corporate communications, Radio One. “Each winner identified a community need and met it without excuse. Their creativity and resilience are to be commended.”
Howard Mazer, Radio One vice president, general manager said of Lee, “We are proud to have had Brendan Lee represent Baltimore. The commitment to community and the improvement of life shown by his work is worthy of recognition.”