Baltimore’s Allendale community celebrated the reopening of the Mary E. Rodman Rec Center after nearly three years of closure. The $1.8 million renovation brings new fitness, a playground and community spaces for local youth and families.
Category: Mayor Brandon Scott
Mayor Brandon Scott named to Ebony Power 100 and Time 100, credits Baltimore for the honor
Baltimore Mayor Brandon M. Scott has been named one of Time Magazine’s 100 most influential people of 2025, joining a legacy of Baltimore visionaries such as Ta-Nehisi Coates and Freeman Hrabowski III, and Ebony’s Power 100. Scott calls the honor “a humbling experience,” crediting his city for its growing global influence and its role in reshaping national perceptions of Baltimore.
Reviving Johnston Square: New housing and library signal community renewal
On Nov. 10, ReBUILD Metro celebrated the opening of the Hammond at Greenmount Park, as well as the new Johnston Square Branch of the Enoch Pratt Free Library.
Former Baltimore mayors honored with portrait unveiling
By Ericka Alston BuckSpecial to the AFRO On Nov. 1, the Rotunda of Baltimore City Hall was filled with pride, reflection and gratitude as four of the city’s former mayors– Sheila Dixon, Stephanie Rawlings Blake, Catherine Pugh and Bernard “Jack” Young– joined Baltimore City Mayor Brandon M. Scott for the unveiling of their official portraits. […]
Elected officials call out blatant racist messages
Black officials are increasingly confronting racist attacks online, by phone and email. Leaders like Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott (D) are exposing the derogatory comments to highlight its persistence and the resilience it demands.
With homicides at 50-year low, Baltimore City State’s Attorney Ivan Bates says focus should turn to quality-of-life crimes
Baltimore has hit historic lows in violent crime, with homicides at their lowest in more than 50 years. But State’s Attorney Ivan Bates says the city is falling short in addressing quality-of-life crimes, like car break-ins, vandalism and public drug use.
Wes Moore, Brandon Scott reject 47th president’s National Guard plan for Baltimore
Gov. Wes Moore and Mayor Brandon Scott denounced the Oval Office’s plan to send the National Guard to Baltimore, calling it unnecessary and “performative.” At a Sept. 5 press conference in Park Heights, they pointed instead to record crime reductions, with homicides at a 50-year low. City leaders and community advocates stressed that resources should go toward collaboration, jobs and housing — not militarization.
Baltimore Mayor Scott welcomes students back to school for 2025-2026 school year
Baltimore City Mayor Brandon M. Scott (D) and Baltimore City Public Schools CEO Dr. Sonja Brookins Santelises welcomed students back to school on Aug. 25, visiting them in their classrooms and recognizing good attendance.
Baltimore sees progress on gun violence
Baltimore’s recent drop in gun violence, including a record-low number of homicides in April, signals progress driven by focused intervention strategies like the Group Violence Reduction Strategy (GVRS). Experts warn, however, that cuts to federal funding and growing online threats could undermine fragile gains. Leaders are calling for sustained investment, youth engagement and statewide collaboration to keep the momentum going.
National Night Out brings music, food and unity to Baltimore City
On Aug. 5, Baltimore’s National Night Out brought music, food, and back-to-school giveaways to neighborhoods across the city. Mayor Brandon M. Scott visited nine sites, highlighting the event’s goal of fostering unity between residents, law enforcement, and community leaders.
YouthWorks: Offering career paths—not just paychecks
For over 50 years, Baltimore City’s YouthWorks program has provided thousands of city youth with paid summer jobs, offering critical skills, mentorship and career pathways. Now expanding into year-round internships and credentialed career tracks in fields like healthcare and clean energy, the program is evolving into a powerful pipeline for workforce development and long-term economic mobility.
Mayor Scott and Maryland’s Capitol Hill delegation address record lows in crime rates, fight against cuts in federal funding
Mayor Brandon Scott and members of Maryland’s congressional delegation gathered at Baltimore City Hall to highlight record-setting crime reductions and express unified opposition to looming federal funding cuts, including those affecting Medicaid and education. Officials praised the city’s public safety progress and pledged to fight against harmful budget decisions from the Trump administration that threaten vulnerable Baltimore communities.

