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Power Moves

Maryland tough, Baltimore strong: Professional sectors mobilize in response to Key Bridge collapse

Plus, the dedication of the Pava Marie LaPere Center for Entrepreneurship, a partnership between Towson StarTUp and ReBokeh and more.

Gov. Wes Moore speaks during a press conference on the Key Bridge collapse response. (Courtesy Baltimore City Mayor's Office/J.J. McQueen)
As the weather warms up, the O’s are playing their first games, the farmers market under the Jones Falls Expressway returns this Sunday and crab picking season commences. However, it hasn’t been an easy-breezy early spring for Baltimore.

Racists threw insults at Mayor Brandon Scott, labeling him a “DEI mayor” in the aftermath of the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse. His response, expressing pride in his identity and roots, echoed “The Wire” actress Felicia “Snoop” Pearson’s remarks — “We’re from Baltimore, we’re legendary” — during his recent youth summit for girls.

“We know what these folks really want to say when they say DEI mayor,” he told The Baltimore Banner. “Whether it is DEI or clown. They really want to say the N-word. But there is nothing they can do and say to me that is worse than the treatment of my ancestors. I am proud of who I am and where I come from.”

Gov. Wes Moore’s remarks following the March 26 bridge collapse carried a similar theme of resilience: “We are Maryland tough, and we are Baltimore strong.”

Even with these challenges, Baltimore finds space for its power with these notable institutional initiatives, job transitions and more Power Moves.

Government

  • US Small Business Administration (SBA) Business Recovery Centers are now open in Baltimore area to support eligible companies affected by the Key Bridge collapse with loans.To further support impacted port workers and businesses after the collapse, The Maryland Protecting Opportunities and Regional Trade Act (PORT Act) is getting expedited through the state legislature.

    In addition, President Joe Biden plans to visit the collapse site in Baltimore this week to get a closer look and meet with state officials.

  • Hours before the disaster, Mayor Scott delivered his 2024 State of the City address, in which he highlighted his administration’s commitment to updating city services using tech.“We’re reforming the city’s decades-old procurement processes and we secured new technology to overhaul our tax and permitting systems,” said Scott.

    That overhaul is happening alongside other tech-driven updates like an online tax portal for businesses.

Private Sector

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Nonprofits

  • Both the Baltimore Community Fund and United Way of Central Maryland have opened relief funds for individuals and companies affected by the Key Bridge disaster.
  • The Enoch Pratt Free Library has been named one of the 30 finalists for the 2024 National Medal of Museum and Library Service by the Institute of Museum and Library Services.
  • Leadership Maryland has introduced its inaugural Emerging Leader Program, aimed at fostering the development of promising individuals. The 40 participants from various fields, including LaKisha Greenwade, CEO of Wearable Tech Ventures, will take part in a six-month professional development initiative.
  • Claudia Allen has officially started as the director of advancement for Maryland Humanities. Her colleague Alexandra Cenatus is in Leadership Maryland’s Emerging Leader Program.

Universities

  • The dedication of the Pava Marie LaPere Center for Entrepreneurship is set to take place at JHU’s FastForward U on Saturday, April 6. With large crowds anticipated, the program will be livestreamed to an outdoor tent at the facility’s parking lot in Remington.

RSVP for the Dedication

  • Baltimore Business Journal reports that JHU and the Teachers and Researchers United union have reached a tentative contract agreement that could potentially increase graduate student pay by more than $10,000 annually.

Update: This article has been updated to include the news about Claudia Jolin and Brian McElyea’s new positions with the Baltimore Peninsula Community Benefits District and RELI Group, respectively. (4/3/2024, 10:34 a.m.) 

Power Moves is a column where we chart the comings and goings of talent across the region. Got a new hire, gig or promotion? Email us at baltimore@technical.ly.
Companies: ReBokeh / CyDeploy / EcoMap Technologies / MAGIC / Enoch Pratt Free Library / Scene Health / University System of Maryland / Conscious Venture Lab / Baltimore Police Department / Greater Baltimore Committee / Johns Hopkins University / City of Baltimore / State of Maryland / United Way of Central Maryland

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