HONOREE FEATURE BMORENews.com | Black Wall Street BENEDETTO 2.0 Larry D. Brown, Jr.: Baltimore Born, Community Built, Faith Driven (BALTIMORE – April 20, 2026) – Larry D. Brown, Jr. is the kind of leader who didn’t leave Baltimore to find opportunity—he stayed and helped create it. A proud product of the city, Larry graduated from Baltimore City College High School before earning a Bachelor of Science in Management Science from Coppin State University. He later pursued a master’s degree in Divinity and Pastoral Counseling—blending professional expertise with a deep spiritual foundation that continues to guide his work. For more than 17 years, Larry has served the State of Maryland through the Department of Housing and Community Development. Today, as Assistant Director for the Baltimore Region, he plays a key role in overseeing more than $40 million annually in revitalization funding. These investments support critical initiatives such as Community Legacy, the Seed Community Development Anchor Institution Fund, the Baltimore Regional Neighborhoods Initiative (BRNI), and the Baltimore Vacant Reinvestment Initiative (BVRI)—all aimed at strengthening neighborhoods and expanding opportunity across Baltimore. In this capacity, Larry provides strategic leadership to teams administering grants and loans to local governments, nonprofits, and community development organizations. His work sits at the intersection of policy and impact—where decisions translate directly into stronger communities. Faith Meets Action Beyond his public service, Larry is deeply rooted in faith and community. A member of Maranatha Truth Center for more than 27 years, he serves as Executive Pastor and helped establish the Eagles Nest Outreach Community Affordable Land Trust. This initiative focuses on creating high-quality, affordable housing opportunities for low- to moderate-income families—bringing long-term stability to communities that need it most. Whether in government or ministry, Larry’s mission remains consistent: to serve, uplift, and empower. The Man Behind the Mission At home, Larry is a devoted husband of more than 21 years and a proud father of one daughter. He enjoys traveling, values time with family, and lives by a principle that reflects both his character and his calling: “Be the change you want to see in the world.” It’s more than a quote—it’s a standard he embodies daily. On Sunday, April 26, 2026, at 2:30 PM, the Joe Manns Black Wall Street Awards will honor Larry D. Brown, Jr. at Black Wall Street BENEDETTO 2.0, located at 110 W. Mulberry Street in Baltimore. RSVP to https://blackwallstreetbenedetto25.eventbrite.com. Baltimore raised him. Now we celebrate him.

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From Harlem to Home: Victor Pate and the Work of Bringing Our People Back

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(BALTIMORE – April 3, 2026) – When all else fails, society reaches for the oldest, most convenient scapegoat: the parents. When young people struggle, act out, or fall short of expectations, the narrative quickly turns to what wasn’t done at home—what values weren’t taught, what discipline wasn’t enforced, what guidance was missing. It’s a familiar refrain. It’s also incomplete and deeply flawed. Blaming parents ignores the broader ecosystem shaping today’s youth. It sidesteps the uncomfortable truth that many of our institutions—particularly our schools and public systems—are failing to meet the needs of the very children they are meant to serve.…