A Letter from Our Board Regarding Black Lives Matter

Community News

To Our Beloved City,

We are the Board of Directors of the South Baltimore Gateway Partnership.

As representatives of 17 diverse South Baltimore neighborhoods, we see daily the resulting historical impacts of racism and discrimination in our communities evident in the intense disparities of income and opportunity across our District. This pain must stop. We believe Black Lives Matter. We stand in solidarity with those demanding an end to racism, abuse, and injustice. This is the only way that we can move forward as a city and a nation.

From the inception of the organization, the Board has been committed to an equitable model of community development. This means that we help all our neighborhoods to rise —but those who have been held back get the most support. To date, we have spent approximately 75% of our funds in low-income communities and communities of color. Today we reaffirm that vision.

We recognize the anger and hopelessness that many of our residents feel, and commit to being part of the solution.

Sincerely,

Alvin Lee, Cherry Hill

Beth Whitmer, Federal Hill

Bill Reuter, Ridgely’s Delight

Brandon M. Scott, Council President of Baltimore City

Councilman Eric Costello, City Council, District 11

Debbie Ally-Dickerson, Pigtown

Geoffrey W. Washington, Riverside

Jackie Grace-Pope, Carroll-Camden

Jasmine Esteve, Sharp-Leadenhall

Karl Lowe, South Baltimore Neighborhood

Michael Tyson, Mt. Winans

Nancy Mead, Otterbein

Noah Smock, Carroll-Camden Industrial Area

Phylicia Porter, Pigtown

Quincy Goldsmith, Pigtown

Rev. Alvin Gwynn, Sharp-Leadenhall

Rev. Willie Pack, Sr., Cherry Hill

Sandy Brennan, Pigtown

Sophia Silbergeld

Veronica Crosby, Lakeland

Walter Ettinger, Federal Hill