By Ericka Alston Buck
Special to The AFRO
At Baltimore’s Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall, music met mission as United Way of Central Maryland celebrated its 100th anniversary with a night of reflection, rhythm and community. The Centennial Benefit Concert, headlined by multi-award-winning artist Common, honored a century of service to families and neighborhoods across Baltimore and the broader Central Maryland region.
For United Way, the evening wasn’t just a concert — it was a milestone moment to honor a legacy of impact that stretches across six Maryland counties and Baltimore City, helping thousands of individuals each year find stability, opportunity and hope.
A century of service and a future of hope
The program began with WJZ-TV anchors Denise Koch and Tim Williams, who served as the mistress and master of ceremony for the evening. Koch opened by reminding guests, “Together, we are united for our future,” and encouraged anyone in need of assistance to dial 2-1-1, United Way’s year-round helpline connecting Marylanders to essential resources.
They then welcomed Franklyn Baker, president and CEO of United Way of Central Maryland, whom Williams introduced as “the heart and soul of the organization.” Baker reflected on the milestone with gratitude.
“For 10 decades, we’ve provided help and hope through times of crisis — from wars and economic downturns to health emergencies and social challenges,” he said.
He added that the organization’s new strategic plan focuses on “stabilizing communities and helping every single person we can to thrive through education, housing, health, and economic advancement.”
That vision was echoed throughout the night, as each performance paid homage not just to the organization’s past, but to its enduring role in helping Central Maryland families build brighter futures.
The sounds of unity
Baltimore-based band Whiskey Feathers opened the show with a high-energy fusion of rock, Americana, and electronic rhythm that set the tone for a night grounded in joy and collaboration.
They were followed by Elyscia Jefferson, the soulful alum of “The Voice” season 25, who captivated the audience with her original song about “protecting your peace.” Her performance, tender yet powerful, reflected her message of perseverance. “I want people to walk away with joy, ambition, and inspiration,” Jefferson said before the show. “Whatever obstacles you face, there’s always hope.”
Her words struck a chord with the audience, many of whom nodded along as if in agreement with her message of strength through self-care.
When CeCe Peniston stepped on stage, the room lit up. The legendary vocalist — and United Way worldwide ambassador — delivered a show-stopping set featuring her classic hits “We Got a Love Thang” and “Keep On Walkin’.” Midway through, she slipped off her shoes, declaring, “Now we can really groove!” The crowd erupted as she danced and belted out every note with effortless joy.
Her final number brought the night’s first standing ovation as she was joined by the Baltimore City College Choir, directed by Marcus D. Smith, for a moving rendition of “United Is the Way,” United Way’s official anthem.
Smith said the moment was as meaningful for his students as it was for the audience. “City College has had a choir for generations, but performing here, as part of something this significant, it’s unforgettable,” he said, watching his students beam under the stage lights.
Common: A poet’s purpose
After intermission, Common took the stage to a roar of applause. The Grammy-, Emmy-, and Oscar-winning artist commanded the room with a set that blended his signature introspection with his unmistakable stage presence. He performed fan favorites, delivered excerpts of spoken word including “To Be -Young, Gifted and Black,” and spoke passionately about purpose, community, and love.
At one point, he invited audience member Nakia Brown to join him onstage for an impromptu freestyle — a moment that left the crowd cheering as the pair shared a warm hug.
Throughout the performance, Common showed deep appreciation for Maryland, shouting out landmarks and neighborhoods from Park Heights to Mondawmin Mall, Jimmy’s Seafood, and Moe’s. His tribute to the pioneers of hip-hop — with snippets of “Scenario,” “Nuthin’ But a G Thang,” Wu-Tang Clan’s “C.R.E.A.M.” and Biggie’s “Juicy” — had the crowd on its feet. His DJ closed with “It Takes Two,” filling the hall with nostalgia and unfiltered joy.
Then, in a gesture that summed up his artistry and humility, Common left the stage and walked the aisles, transforming the Meyerhoff into something far more intimate than a concert hall.
Faces of the future
In the audience, Walker Marsh reflected on what the night meant to him. “Common was the reason I got into rap,” he said. “He made me realize rap was poetry — storytelling that moves people.”
That same spirit of inspiration was shared by many in attendance. “When CeCe sang with those students, I got chills,” one guest said. “It felt like the sound of hope.” Felicia Jordan added, “Tonight reminded us why we give and why we stay united.”
Among the evening’s most heartwarming stories was that of Jaden Jackson, a high school student whose connection to United Way runs deep. Jackson participates in Young Men United and the HYPE Program, two initiatives supported by United Way of Central Maryland that use mentorship and music to empower youth.
“United Way is a partner at my school, and through HYPE I’ve learned how to express myself through music,” Jackson shared. “We write, we rap, we talk about our culture — it’s therapy.”
His dedication and leadership earned him a special surprise: the chance to meet Common in person at the concert. “I can’t wait to ask him how he got started and how I can get to where he is,” Jackson said, his excitement radiating as he spoke.
The evening also marked the debut of Takia Warden, United Way’s new senior vice president and chief development officer, who expressed her excitement about joining the organization at such a pivotal time. “For the past 100 years, United Way has been a cornerstone of hope in Central Maryland,” she said. “Now, our focus is on sustainable impact and always keeping people first.”
United for what’s next
As the final notes faded, applause lingered in the air — not just for the artists, but for the cause. United Way’s century of service was honored not through speeches or statistics, but through the shared experience of music, gratitude and collective purpose.
It was, at its core, a night about what’s possible when a region comes together — Baltimore City, Howard, Anne Arundel, Carroll, Harford, and Baltimore counties — united by one mission: to ensure that everyone in Central Maryland has the chance to thrive.
For United Way of Central Maryland, the celebration was not a finale — it was the overture to a new century of impact.