Kireem Swinton has been named permanent president and CEO of Visit Baltimore after serving in the role on an interim basis since July 2025. In his new role, Swinton said he aims to expand tourism while reshaping how Baltimore is perceived on the national and global stage through storytelling and major events.
Category: LOCAL
Posted inBaltimore News
Funeral home founder Al Wylie celebrates his 80th birthday with street renaming ceremony
Community members gathered to celebrate the 80th birthday of funeral home founder Al P. Wylie on April 10 at Wylie Funeral Homes. Wylie received personal certificates from Baltimore City State’s Attorney Ivan Bates and Baltimore City Police Department Western District’s Major Natalia Preston and a street was renamed in his honor.
Posted inARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Devin Allen takes the helm for SCOUT, Baltimore’s affordable art fair
Baltimore photographer Devin Allen has been named curator of SCOUT 2026, the city’s affordable art fair held as part of Artscape. As curator, Allen will spotlight local and national artists while helping build stronger connections between creators and the community.”
Posted inBaltimore News
Moore unveils Baltimore Transit-Oriented Development Plan
State and local officials unveiled the Baltimore Regional Transit-Oriented Development Strategy at Rogers Avenue Metro Station on April 6. The strategy aims to boost housing, expand transit access and drive economic growth, including 400 new housing units and major Light Rail investments.
Posted inBaltimore Community
The Links hosts voter registration training April 16 in Baltimore
Three Maryland chapters of The Links, Inc. will host a voter registration certification training on April 16 in Baltimore, aimed at equipping community members to register voters. The session, led by the Baltimore City Board of Elections, seeks to strengthen civic engagement and expand voter outreach efforts.
Posted inBaltimore News
Special committee seeks public input on changes to Baltimore City charter
Baltimore’s Charter Review Special Committee is gathering public input on potential changes, including revisions to how city contracts are awarded. Residents and council members alike say understanding the charter’s complexities is key to making informed decisions.
Posted inBaltimore News
Edmondson Village Shopping Center celebrates redevelopment milestones
The Edmondson Village Shopping Center is moving toward revitalization, with new construction, infrastructure improvements and leasing activity underway. The project, backed by TREND, local residents and state and city funding, marks a historic milestone after decades of neglect and discriminatory ownership restrictions.
Posted inMaryland News
Lawmakers, community members rally in Maryland for immigrant protections
Lawmakers and community members rallied in Annapolis, Md., for We Are Casa’s Black Lobby Day, urging the state legislature to pass bills limiting federal immigration enforcement and ensuring humane standards for immigrant detention facilities.
Posted inBaltimore News
Baltimore City State’s Attorney’s Office hosts town hall on preventing juvenile crime
The Baltimore City State’s Attorney’s Office hosted a town hall on March 18 at Digital Harbor High School to discuss juvenile crime and the impact of local smoke shops in Baltimore. Panelists and community members advocated for a fight against the opening of these businesses, as well as providing local resources to attendees.
Posted inReligion
Zion Baptist Church prepares for the ribbon cutting at new East Baltimore location
Zion Baptist Church, led by Dr. Marshall F. Prentice, will celebrate their new location at 1600 Harford Ave. in East Baltimore on March 21 and March 22.
Posted inMaryland Government
Maryland delegation in Congress backs effort to regulate energy use by AI companies
By Katelynn WinebrennerCapital News Service As power costs surge across Maryland, the state’s congressional delegation is taking a bipartisan stance in support of legislation that would regulate energy use by AI companies. The Power for the People Act would require AI companies to bear the costs of increased power demand and any possible infrastructure changes […]
Posted inCommentary
When calling the police becomes a corporate reflex
By Chrissy M. Thornton There is a quiet calculus many Black people perform before we even walk into a store. We soften our tone. We monitor our posture. We keep receipts visible. We are mindful of where our hands are, how long we linger, whether we look “confused” or “confrontational.” This constant awareness is exhausting. […]
