Retailers and consumers are navigating a challenge: looking ahead to buying and selling post-pandemic while keeping commerce alive now. 

The Baltimore Downtown Partnership is focused on both, with BOOST, which stands for 'Black-Owned and Occupied Storefront Tenancy.' It pairs Black-owned businesses with vacant storefronts and wraparound services like tech and marketing support. 

Delali Dzirasa, himself a successful entrepreneur with his tech company Fearless, talks of the responsibility to nurture new ventures. And Shelonda Stokes, president of Downtown Partnership, describes the kind of business they want to boost:

 “We want organizations that are going to contribute to downtown, organizations that are going to thrive and employ other people in here. That’s a win. And that’s what we’re looking for.”"

Plus, Tanisha Taliaferro, a bold shop owner tells why she opened her boutique during the pandemic.

Retailers and consumers are navigating a challenge: looking ahead to buying and selling post-pandemic while keeping commerce alive now.&nbsp;
The Baltimore Downtown Partnership is focused on both, with BOOST, which stands for 'Black-Owned and Occupied Storefront Tenancy.' It pairs Black-owned businesses with vacant storefronts and wraparound services like tech and marketing support.&nbsp;
Delali Dzirasa, himself a successful entrepreneur with his tech company Fearless, talks of the responsibility to nurture new ventures. And Shelonda Stokes, president of Downtown Partnership, describes the kind of business they want to boost:
&nbsp;&ldquo;We want organizations that are going to contribute to downtown, organizations that are going to thrive and employ other people in here. That&rsquo;s a win. And that&rsquo;s what we&rsquo;re looking for.&rdquo;"
Plus, Tanisha Taliaferro, a bold shop owner tells why she opened her boutique during the pandemic.

Catch On the Record, hosted by Sheilah Kast, weekdays from 9:30 to 10:00 am, following NPR's Morning Edition. We'll discuss the issues that affect your life and bring you thoughtful and lively conversations with the people who shape those issues -- business people, public officials, scholars, artists, authors, WYPR reporters and other journalists who can take us inside the story. If you want to share a comment, question, or an idea for an interview you?d like to hear, email us at ontherecord@wypr.org

Catch On the Record, hosted by Sheilah Kast, weekdays from 9:30 to 10:00 am, following NPR's Morning Edition. We'll discuss the issues that affect your life and bring you thoughtful and lively conversations with the people who shape those issues -- business people, public officials, scholars, artists, authors, WYPR reporters and other journalists who can take us inside the story. If you want to share a comment, question, or an idea for an interview you?d like to hear, email us at <a href="mailto:ontherecord@wypr.org" target="_blank">ontherecord@wypr.org</a>

On The Record

Catch On the Record, hosted by Sheilah Kast, weekdays from 9:30 to 10:00 am, following NPR's Morning Edition. We'll discuss the issues that affect your life and bring you thoughtful and lively conversations with the people who shape those issues -- business people, public officials, scholars, artists, authors, WYPR reporters and other journalists who can take us inside the story. If you want to share a comment, question, or an idea for an interview you'd like to hear, email us at ontherecord@wypr.org

Catch On the Record, hosted by Sheilah Kast, weekdays from 9:30 to 10:00 am, following NPR's Morning Edition. We'll discuss the issues that affect your life and bring you thoughtful and lively conversations with the people who shape those issues -- business people, public officials, scholars, artists, authors, WYPR reporters and other journalists who can take us inside the story. If you want to share a comment, question, or an idea for an interview you'd like to hear, email us at <a href="mailto:ontherecord@wypr.org">ontherecord@wypr.org</a>

Downtown Baltimore Gets a BOOST

Daniel and Mary Bell tried to use the courts to win freedom for their family, so history shows us more details about them than many other enslaved people in the 19th century. We know that Francis Scott Key, who wrote our national anthem, was one of the white people who lined up against freedom for enslaved people like the Bells.

"The Bell Affair" film tells the Bells’ story; we talk to director Kwakiutl Dreher and historian William G. Thomas III. Thomas says, "We need to see this part of American history differently-- enslaved people, not as nameless and faceless, but as real people acting in history, who are clearly attempting to claim freedom from day one of the United States."

And we ask two of Mary and Daniel’s descendants about the strength they draw from this history. Original air date: May 19, 2022.

"The Bell Affair" is now available to stream on Amazon.

Daniel and Mary Bell tried to use the courts to win freedom for their family, so history shows us more details about them than many other enslaved people in the 19th century. We know that Francis Scott Key, who wrote our national anthem, was one of the white people who lined up against freedom for enslaved people like the Bells.
<a href="https://animatinghistory.com/bellaffair/">"The Bell Affair"</a> film tells the Bells’ story; we talk to director Kwakiutl Dreher and historian William G. Thomas III. Thomas says, "We need to see this part of American history differently-- enslaved people, not as nameless and faceless, but as real people acting in history, who are clearly attempting to claim freedom from day one of the United States."
And we ask two of Mary and Daniel’s descendants about the strength they draw from this history. Original air date: May 19, 2022.
"The Bell Affair" is now available to <a href="https://www.primevideo.com/detail/The-Bell-Affair/0P25OD91YJXFDCPJ0HQG4X74H0">stream </a>on Amazon.

An enslaved family's fight for freedom

In the early 20th century, Baltimore City codified racial segregation in housing into law, prohibiting African Americans from moving onto blocks where white residents were the majority. As the city grew, the sewer commission methodically avoided building infrastructure in Black neighborhoods. That’s one example given by historian Andrew Kahrl of how African American taxpayers have been denied the benefits of their dollars.

Andrew Kahrl is a professor of history and African American studies at the University of Virginia. His new book is “The Black Tax: 150 Years of Theft, Exploitation, and Dispossession in America.” He'll be speaking about it on Tuesday, April 16th at the Enoch Pratt Free Central Library.

Links:
Registration here
Virtual event here
It’s Time to End the Quiet Cruelty of Property Taxes

In the early 20th century, Baltimore City codified racial segregation in housing into law, prohibiting African Americans from moving onto blocks where white residents were the majority. As the city grew, the sewer commission methodically avoided building infrastructure in Black neighborhoods. That’s one example given by historian <a href="https://history.virginia.edu/people/profile/awk6n">Andrew Kahrl </a>of how African American taxpayers have been denied the benefits of their dollars.
Andrew Kahrl is a professor of history and African American studies at the University of Virginia. His new book is “The Black Tax: 150 Years of Theft, Exploitation, and Dispossession in America.” He'll be speaking about it on Tuesday, April 16th at the Enoch Pratt Free Central Library.
Links: <a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/andrew-kahrl-the-black-tax-tickets-809054603097?aff=oddtdtcreator">Registration here</a> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@enochprattlibrary/streams">Virtual event here</a> <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2024/04/11/opinion/property-taxes-racism-inequality.html">It’s Time to End the Quiet Cruelty of Property Taxes</a>

'The Black Tax' argues African Americans are overtaxed and underserved

Here’s a Stoop Story from Erica Rimlinger about growing up in Baltimore’s Stoneleigh neighborhood.

The next Stoop event is April 18th. The theme is “Too Close for Comfort: Tales about Roommates to Remember.” 

Listen to the Stoop podcast.

Here’s a <a href="https://stoopstorytelling.com/">Stoop Story</a> from Erica Rimlinger about growing up in Baltimore’s Stoneleigh neighborhood.
The next Stoop event is April 18th. The theme is <a href="https://stoopstorytelling.com/event/close-quarters-tales-about-roommates-to-remember/">“Too Close for Comfort: Tales about Roommates to Remember.” </a>
Listen to the <a href="https://stoopstorytelling.com/podcasts/">Stoop podcast</a>.

Downtown Baltimore Gets a BOOST

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