18 of the Baltimore area’s leaders offer New Year’s resolutions for 2024

It’s common to debate whether or not Maryland is part of the South.

Some might say, with its arabbers, lemon sticks and charm, that it is southern. If that’s the case, founders, entrepreneurs and those who might want to make money moves in 2024 may not want to get their black-eyed peas to eat ahead of the clock striking 12 — a tradition for mostly African-American families on New Year’s Eve.

But whether it’s cleaning your room, kissing someone at midnight, joining a gym or any other superstitious claim or resolution, everyone has their habits and hopes for a prosperous life in the new year.

In that spirit, 18 regional tech and community leaders, including a few with work relevant to Baltimore that are based elsewhere, shared their hopes for 2024. (No one mentioned black-eyed peas — maybe Baltimore isn’t Southern?) Check out their reflections below, edited for length and clarity:

Rebecca Rosenberg, founder of Rebokeh

“This is such, like,  just a real normal human person thing. But very recently, I drink a lot of coffee. And I very recently discovered how much sugar is in, like, your average Starbucks latte. And I was horrified. So I guess the current resolution that will definitely translate into the new year [is] trying to figure out what my new go-to Starbucks order is going to be. [Something] that doesn’t have 45 grams of sugar like the pumpkin spice latte. … Isn’t that insane?”

Rosenberg was also “really excited” to focus on her Baltimore community by aiming to provide remote tools that might make physical spaces more accessible for people with disabilities.

Judson Garret, business program manager of the Center for Innovative Leadership at Johns Hopkins University’s Carey Business School

“My New Year’s resolution is to get out more. And by that, I mean both in nature and in the community,” said Garret, a University of Baltimore alumnus who also looks forward to “empowering emerging leaders” in the new year. “Because as I came back and was sort of, you know, marshaling my resources and getting situated, I haven’t been able to really feel connected again to Maryland. So that’s what I want to do.”

Jen Fry, founder of Coordle and cofounder of Hyreable

“So my professional one [resolution] is to get things out of my head and onto paper. … So, getting [thoughts] out of my head and having it in documents [so] that it’s clear and concise. I’m the worst note-taker. I have to be better at putting stuff down.”

Fry also shared a personal resolution: “It would be to keep trying to show up for the people I love. I think that many times, people don’t understand how critical it is to show up for people. Whether it’s going to [their] events for five minutes, showing up for people is so valuable.”

Barry Wright, chief of staff at Noom and Highwire Improv cofounder

“I think the thing that’s speaking to me the most right now is learning more about and working directly with as many neighborhoods in Baltimore as possible,” said Wright. He noted that there might be a theme in Baltimore of folks not going to events in other neighborhoods.

“I think it’s kind of a default behavior to get stuck in where we’re comfortable working or where we’re comfortable doing things. And so, kind of taking a conscious step to say: Can I take what I’m working on and bring it to different places? Can I interact with and meet different people? [Can I] adapt the programming of what we’re doing to those different neighborhoods?”

Owen Sakawa, founder and CEO of Elloe AI and Techstars Equitech accelerator mentor

“In 2024, my resolution as a tech leader is to encourage innovation and collaboration. I want to create an environment where talented people can come together, share ideas, and push the boundaries of what’s possible. By fostering a culture of creativity and teamwork, we can make Baltimore a hub for exciting technological advancements.”

Sakawa added in his email to Technical.ly that he is “committed” to supporting aspiring entrepreneurs, especially those who might be passionate about technology. He looks forward to mentoring technologists and providing them with resources that could “empower the next generation of tech leaders to make a positive impact in our community and beyond.”

Patrick McQuown, executive director of entrepreneurship for Towson University

McQuown, emailed Technical.ly with a testimonial surrounding his efforts with the StarTUp Accelerator. He outlines his experience with a Bangladesh-based startup and its founder. His experience with HelloTask shaped his resolution for 2024.

“My resolution is to increase an experiment we did at StarTUp at the Armory in 2023. For the summer, we accepted our first international venture,” said McQuown. “[I hope to continue] fostering entrepreneurship and making a global impact.”

Tammira Lucas, CEO of The Cube Cowork

“As a leader in the ecosystem, my resolution for 2024 is to get more Black women tech founders funding!”

In her email to Technical.ly, Lucas added what she learned in 2023: “I learned that my community of Black women entrepreneurs need my authentic and transparent voice to continue to advocate for them because my voice is valuable and appreciated.”

Adeola Ajani, CEO and founder of Fem Equity

“In March 2023, I had talked [with Technical.ly] about me personally being over-programmed and over-mentored and underfunded, and wanting to change this for myself,” said Ajani, who hosted a mini-conference aimed at addressing pay disparities this summer. “For Fem Equity and Fem Equity partners, we are [hoping to continue] facilitating spaces to connect resources, talent and especially funding opportunities to get Baltimore professionals, entrepreneurs, leaders and innovators in positions where they are working in overflow with access to the best instead of scarcity.”

Alex Swartsel, managing director of JFFLabs’ Center for Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Work

“I think I would say: Listen even harder. Like, to all of the, you know, all of our audiences and the populations that we focus on. Because the more deeply we can understand their lives and the challenges that they face, and the opportunities that they see, the better able we will be to surface insights and craft solutions that are most helpful to them and can help them advance this cause that we all share about connecting people to quality jobs.”

Maggie Villegas, executive director of the Baltimore Creatives Acceleration Network (BCAN)

Villegas and the BCAN staff will offer free 1-on-1 “creative coaching” to Baltimore’s creative entrepreneurs in 2024. Applications are open through Jan. 12. She emailed Technical.ly to share her resolution: “Don’t hold back. Pour love into family and community. Embrace and invest in creativity.”

Angel St. Jean, founder of Equity Brain Trust

“So I’m not a big resolution person. But I will stay focused on what I’ve always been focused on throughout my career, which is creating a more equitable world,” said St. Jean. “And so, in 2024, for me, that looks like reaching our sales projections and becoming, you know, a successful company and creating a strong voice for founders in a local and state conversation about how to grow the tech ecosystem equitably.”

Johnnie Turnage, founder of Black Tech Saturdays

“So I’m a big believer [in resolutions],” said the Detroit-based founder. “I’m always setting resolutions and goals. One thing that’s been really resonating with me this year is the fact that you [might] grade an ecosystem not by what you get from it, [but] by what you give to it. And so, as we go into 2024, I’m really pushing myself [to ask]: How much am I giving?”

“We’ve had a lot of great strides with Black Tech Saturdays in Detroit, and I think it’s just the beginning,” he added. “But since we’re coming to Baltimore, a lot of this is: How can we share the lessons we’re learning to support other Black founders, other Black creatives on the journey.”

Luke Cooper, founding general partner and managing director of Latimer Ventures

“I want to give … a listening ear,” said Cooper, who helped to bring Black Tech Saturdays to Baltimore. “That helps us resolve and finalize and figure out our way [to] the right set of resolutions that are going to be appropriate for our community.”

“I think we need to, you know, have more of these [Black Tech Saturdays in Baltimore] under our belts so we can hear acutely what’s missing from our from our ecosystem, and make that our resolution,” he added

Brian Carlson, founder and CEO of Storytime AI

Carlson’s company’s app uses generative AI to support teachers and parents in creating books that might be, according to the founder, both personalized and culturally relevant to kids. Carlson has plans to add features like voice cloning and video stories to the app.

“AI is moving so fast and there are so many exciting new technologies our team plans to add to the app in 2024,” said Carlson in a LinkedIn message. “Our goal is to make this as accessible to as many users and schools in the community as possible as a tool for parents and teachers. So we are excited to be offering free access to all Baltimore City schools.”

Ruby Taylor, founder and CEO of Financial Joy School

Taylor shared an “excitement about” a newly released book she’d been working on. She hopes to spread empowering messages and looks forward to potentially working with new school-related partners to “ignite sparks of change and innovation” in that community in 2024.

“And, for a dash of personal magic, I’m embarking on a dream project — creating a haven of tiny houses nestled near the tranquil waters of

Maryland,” she said in an email. “Imagine a serene retreat, a blend of simplicity and nature, where relaxation meets the rhythmic lull of water. It’s not just a venture, it’s a canvas for joy and serenity.”

Sam Scott, founder of JuneBrain

“Even though I promote it for everyone on my team, I feel like it’s [something] I’m always still trying to figure out,” said Scott. “But finding a way to kind of streamline and make things at my company more efficient, and even making a couple new hires next year to offload one of the 20 hats [I] wear as a founder to somebody else. So then, I can have a nice home space where I’m just cooking without checking my email.”

Scott added that she aims to “start an internship program at JuneBrain for underserved or disabled high schoolers.”

Jimmie Thomas, cofounder of MRI Studios

“So work-life balance is definitely one [resolution],” said Thomas. “Having the space is a new feature for us. So [we’re] trying to build it out and activate it for all ‘24 before the end of the year. That’s one of my goals.”

The Maryland Institute College of Art alum and Downtown BOOST business owner also shared some personal goals: “I am on [a] fit and healthy journey, so just trying to be more disciplined, really, when it comes to eating because I love eating [and] I love cooking.”

Chris Abell, cofounder of the Maryland Apprenticeship Connector and executive director of Carroll Technology & Innovation Council

“I am going to find more ways to leverage AI to create more equity, transparency and collaboration among nonprofit organizations,” said Abell. “Additionally, apply it to software development that will benefit our Main St. and create a more connected Maryland.”

 

Check out our 2024 editorial calendar themes. Maybe you’ll want to send us a note if you’re feeling inspired by any of the questions we’re asking technologists and community leaders in the new year. Otherwise, catch us in 2024 by emailing baltimore@technical.ly.

Until then, happy holidays to all who celebrate, and Happy New Year!