The frustration of Baltimore city residents was on full display Tuesday night 12/7/2021. Several community associations decided to come together to get an agenda to make change. Mrs. Barbara Jackson – Frankfort Community Association, Mr. Moody (Cedonia Community Association), Mr. Wall Harbel, Zina Moore (Housing Director), Ms Shannon (Regional Management), Dr. Brooks from BCPSS, Ms. Gloria (Harbel Director of Community Relations), we’re some in attendance.
Members of the Universal Negro Improvement Association- African Communities League Baltimore Division 106 Barca-Clarke we’re also in attendance. Lady President Narcessa Davis made her presence known by demanding that it is time to stop talking and start demanding change. “ Sitting around talking about what’s going on will not help our community! We need to come up with an agenda and put pressure on our elected officials for change.” Community members spoke up with frustration! Some of the issues were violence, drugs, help for the elderly, outlets for the youth, the lack of homeowners, the school system, and the lack of outreach programs were just a few of the issues.
“ It’s the duty of the UNIA to defend and unite the black communities” said Division secretary Brother Everett who will become president in January. “ We have emailed, and we have called. Now we will email as a community and call as a community. If they refuse to make change we will vote them out and get someone in there that understands QUID PRO QUO ( a exchange or favor for our votes).
The people at the meeting have decided to first email and write letters to the city council members as well as calling. But it’s only the beginning. They have discussed going taking it to the next city meeting and letting their voices be heard. More importantly the UNIA is working to bring all the community associations city wide in Baltimore together. They will be reaching out to other community associations to have a meeting and here their concerns.
The main concern with everyone at the meeting seemed to be the violence and drugs. Mr Wall Harbel says “Community policing needs to come back!” It’s a shame, the lack of confidence in the city officials to where the community has to start policing themselves. Ms Barbara Jackson of the Frankfort community association who has been involved for over 20 years, as well as other community members mentioned elders in the community need a center and that it has become dangerous for them. It was mentioned that there isn’t enough resources for the youth and young adults. “ They have nothing to do but walk around and smoke weed! Where are the up to date community centers, where can the kids that can’t play sports go”!
Congrats to these community associations for coming together. Please contact us if your community is in need of help with these issues or something else. The time is now for change. Email us at [email protected]