ABC’s Arcadia Community Convo explores broad range of issues

By Jamannie Morgan
AFRO Intern
jmorgan@afro.com

Residents, community leaders and local officials gathered April 22 at Ray of Hope Baptist Church in Northeast Baltimore’s Arcadia neighborhood for a Community Convo hosted by Associated Black Charities (ABC). Discussions centered on neighborhood connectivity, housing affordability and strengthening ties with nearby Morgan State University.

The event, held along the Harford Road corridor, brought together longtime residents, organizational leaders and elected officials to share what is working in the community and where gaps remain.

Many residents described Arcadia as a connected and diverse neighborhood, where neighbors connect through community chats and local associations.

“I think one of the things that works is that the community does really have a tendency to stay connected,” said Vanessa Russell, an Arcadia resident and adjunct communications professor.

Others echoed that sense of connection, noting that the neighborhood’s diversity and stability are part of its appeal.

At the same time, residents pointed to opportunities for growth, particularly in building stronger relationships with Morgan State University, which has expanded its presence along Harford Road.

Dan Hellerbach, a Lauraville resident and retired school administrator, said the growing number of students living in the area presents an opportunity for deeper collaboration.

“My feeling is that it’s a great opportunity,” Hellerbach said. “What are the needs of the students that are here? What opportunities are in our community? I know there’s reciprocal things that we can offer each other.”

Residents also highlighted the impact of Morgan’s Northwood Commons development, describing it as a major asset to the area.

“They have truly, truly been a beacon in this community,” Russell said. “We can literally ride up the street, get everything we need, and come back home.”

Beyond university partnerships, affordability and housing were recurring topics throughout the discussion. Residents debated zoning changes, multi-family housing and the balance between preserving neighborhood character and increasing access to housing.

ABC representatives noted that housing inequity remains a key focus for the organization and will be addressed in future programming.

Local business support also emerged as a theme, with organizations like Black Commerce Maryland emphasizing the importance of visibility and infrastructure for small businesses.

“Our purpose is awareness,” said Francis Foreman, co-founder of Black Commerce Maryland. “So many of the business owners are trapped inside of their four walls. They don’t have time to get out so we bring that awareness to them.”

Foreman added that beyond exposure, business sustainability depends on structure and access to resources.

“It’s not for lack of talent, it’s usually something business or structure related,” he said.

The conversation also included updates from elected officials. Delegate Jackie Addison (D-District 45) discussed recent legislative efforts, including a bill aimed at addressing out-of-state vehicle registration and increasing state revenue.

“We lost over $12 million one year,” Addison said. “Now we’ll be having more money to come into the state of Maryland when people register their cars in the state.”

She also highlighted House Bill 336, which seeks to reform how charges are filed through court commissioners by requiring stronger evidence before warrants are issued.

While the topics ranged from broad public policy to neighborhood-level concerns, the overarching goal of the Community Convo remained consistent: creating a space for residents to share experiences and identify solutions together.

ABC leaders emphasized that these conversations are designed to uplift both challenges and strengths within communities, allowing residents to play a direct role in shaping future initiatives.

The Arcadia discussion reflected that balance, highlighting a neighborhood that residents say is connected and evolving, while still navigating issues of affordability, development and inclusion.

The post ABC’s Arcadia Community Convo explores broad range of issues appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.