On The Record

June 19th is World Sickle Cell Awareness Day. This painful rare disease affects an estimated 100,000 people in the United States. It’s more prevalent among people of African ancestry. About 1 in 13 Black or African American babies are born with sickle cell trait, which could be passed to their children.  What promise do new cell-based gene therapies hold? We speak with Cimone Vaughan , a 12-year-o...

Here’s a Stoop story from Mike Bainum about the dramatic birth of his first daughter.  Check out the Stoop Storytelling Series archive. The next Stoop show is June 27th at 7:30 pm at the Creative Alliance in Baltimore. The theme is, " B-More Proud: Queer Tales of Charm City ." Do you have a question or comment about a show or a story idea to pitch? Contact On the Record at: Senior Supervising Prod...

A new Amtrak tunnel has been in development for years. But residents of West Baltimore feel their concerns are being ignored as the project picks up speed. Amy Petkovsek , head of the Community Law Center lays out their demands. Plus, we hear from Angel St. Jean , a Reservoir Hill resident and Amtrak assistant vice president and engineer Luigi Rosa and senior community engagement director, Danelle...

In celebration of African American Music Appreciation Month and Juneteenth, we get previews of two events that highlight the work from some of the musicians, singers and composers who have made an enormous impact on the nation’s arts and culture.  Soprano Alexandria Crichlow and Samuel Springer , Doctor of Musical Arts at Morgan State University give us a preview of ‘Moving Forward And Beyond: A J...

Here’s a Stoop Story from Angie Elliott about standing up: for herself, for love, and to family. In celebration of Pride month, Stoop Storytelling has a live show coming up and the theme is ‘B-More Proud:  Queer Tales of Charm City.’ It happens Thursday, June 27 at Creative Alliance. Do you have a question or comment about a show or a story idea to pitch? Contact On the Record at: Senior Supervisi...

Does every call to 911 require a police response? Baltimore and cities across the country are testing alternatives - directing calls to civilians trained in behavioral health instead of police officers. Greg Midgette is an assistant professor of criminology and criminal justice at the University of Maryland. He’s co-author of a recent study that examines 911 diversion programs. It’s titled “ Impro...

Joe Gans was the first African American world boxing champion of the 20th century. A Baltimorean, he was also an entrepreneur, philanthropist and started a baseball team that was a precursor to the Negro Leagues. Never heard of him? You’re not alone. There is a dedicated group of people working to change that. We hear from Sara Artes , co-chair of the Joe Gans 150th Birthday Celebration and co-fou...

Here is a Stoop Story from Mike ‘The Persecutor’ Paschall , about why it’s worth fighting hard for what you love. The next LIVE stoop event happens later this month on Thursday June 27. The theme is B-More Proud: Queer Tales of Charm City. Hosted at Creative alliance. More information at Stoopstorytelling.com. Do you have a question or comment about a show or a story idea to pitch? Contact On the...

Herring Run Park stretches for 375 acres in Northeast Baltimore, reaching from Morgan State University to Armistead Gardens. It's Heritage Trail offers visitors insight into the park's historical and ecological landscape. We speak with Misty Fae , executive director of the Friends of Herring Run Parks , and board member Charles Minor . On Saturday, June 1st, the Friends of Herring Run Parks will h...

In 1953, the Baltimore City Fire Department desegregated, hiring its first group of ten Black firefighters. Seven decades later, the African American Firefighters Historical Society honors the continued service of Black firefighters across the country. In January, the organization received a grant to support the creation of the International Black Firefighters Museum & Safety Education Center...

Much more than a kick off to summer, Memorial Day is about remembering those who sacrificed their lives in military service. We meet Paula Davis , president of Maryland Gold Star Mothers -- she talks about her son, Justin, and how the group honors the memories of their children through continued service to the military community. Do you have a question or comment about a show or a story idea to pi...

Here's a Stoop Story from Luis Rosa-Valentin about why not trying in life … is not an option. Rosa-Valentin served in the U.S. Army until 2008, when he was injured during his service in Iraq. Now he is an artist and the president of Single-Handed Arts .  We at OTR want to take this moment to honor and remember all of those who have lost their lives during military service, and send comfort and hea...

Baltimore has seen a surge in union organizing, with local wins for workers at high-profile companies like Apple and Starbucks. The Baltimore Museum of Industry is marking this moment in time with its latest exhibit, titled: “ Collective Action: Labor Activism in 21st Century Baltimore .” We speak with BMI Curator of Collections and Exhibitions Rachel Donaldson, and Courtney Jenkins, president of...

How much do you make? It’s a taboo question, but Hannah Williams is working to change that. Williams is the founder of Salary Transparent Street . You may have seen her videos , where she asks people at parks, farmers’ markets, or just walking down the street, to share their salary. We ask how she developed her passion for salary transparency. Links: STS Resource Hub Maryland joins growing list of...

Nurse Vanessa Battista shares a powerful story about what she learned from Colin, a young man dying of cancer. Listen to more tales from the Stoop Storytelling Series . Search the archives  or check out the podcast . The next Stoop event is June 27th at the Creative Alliance in Highlandtown. The Stoop Storytelling Series, in partnership with the Queer Jewish Arts Festival , will present, " B-more...

Storytelling is an opportunity to share universal lessons about the human condition. Phill Branch is the founder and creative director of Baltimore Story Fest . He previews the groups performing this weekend at the Baltimore Theater Project and shares how to craft an exceptional story.  Schedule: May 17 @ 8pm – Perfect Liars Club May 18 @ 8pm – Mortified May 19 @ 4pm – What I Learned in Therapy Do...

Here's a Stoop Story from Rebecca Fielding about her son, Enzo, and how entering into his world exposed her to much beauty and joy. You can find more information -- including live events and the Stoop podcast -- at Stoopstorytelling.com.   Do you have a question or comment about a show or a story idea to pitch? Contact On the Record at: Senior Supervising Producer, Maureen Harvie she/her/hers mhar...

When you need something done in an effective, no nonsense way -- who do you call? Moms. That’s how ‘Moms on a Mission’ at the St. Luke's Youth Center in West Baltimore came to be. Led by the community, for the community, we hear from executive director Amanda Talbot and engagement coordinator Darlene Clark to hear how they do it.  Do you have a question or comment about a show or a story idea to p...

Spring is here, so pack your hiking boots, swimwear and hammock and head to one of Maryland’s 77 state parks. Angela Crenshaw was named director of the Maryland Park Service in November. What is her plan for the future of Maryland’s state parks? This Saturday, New Germany State Park in Garrett County will host the 9th annual Mountain Maryland Native Plant Festival . The festival will feature a nat...

Amid the ridges and valleys of Appalachia live some of Maryland’s rarest plant and animal life. Photographer Mark Hendricks captures slithering salamanders and shifting seasons in his new book, " The Central Appalachians: Mountains of the Chesapeake ." On May 30th at the Howard County Conservancy , Mark Hendricks will speak about his book and share stories of wildlife encounters. The event starts...

Crownsville Hospital in Anne Arundel County was Maryland's infamous segregated mental health asylum, and the only such facility available to Black people in Maryland between 1911 and desegregation in the 1960s. A new book by NBC and MSNBC journalist Antonia Hylton traces the history of Crownsville Hospital, the struggles and triumphs of its patients, the lives of its staff and medical personnel an...

Emergency room wait times in Maryland are the worst in the country. We ask Anna Palmisano , head of Marylanders for Patient Rights , how long waits can affect health outcomes . Read her op-ed in Maryland Matters: How can we reduce ER wait times in Maryland hospitals? Then, two physicians propose a solution: cut CEO salaries and use the funds to hire more hospital staff. We speak with former state...

The Downtown Partnership of Baltimore reports that the one-mile radius around downtown encompasses nearly 134,000 jobs and is home to more than 40,000 residents. How are Black entrepreneurs creating a thriving downtown for visitors and residents? We speak with Baltimore Beat multimedia journalist Sanya Kamidi and Lynnette Dodson , who co-owns Cuples Tea House on N. Howard St.  Read: Black-owned bu...

Cannabis may soon be reclassified on the federal level to acknowledge the drug’s medicinal benefits. Attorney General Merrick Garland made the recommendation last week. Reclassification could mean big changes for states where cannabis is legally sold, as well as new opportunities for research. We speak with author and journalist Baynard Woods about repairing the harms of the War on Drugs. Read his...

Here’s a Stoop Story from Nancy Murray about living her truth.  There is a LIVE stoop event coming up Wed. May 8. The theme is ‘Mother Love: Stories of Being a Mom, Caring for a Mom, and Loving Even the Unlovable Moms.’ It’s happening at White Hall mill. Music at 7, stories at 7:30. Do you have a question or comment about a show or a story idea to pitch? Contact On the Record at: Senior Supervisin...