News Summary
The fourth annual Baltimore Together Summit is scheduled for October 27 at the M&T Bank Exchange. Hosted by the Baltimore Development Corporation, the summit aims to discuss inclusive economic development, spotlight community achievements, and present an updated report on the city’s Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy. With panel discussions and workshops throughout the week, the event will address key issues such as youth entrepreneurship and public-private partnerships. Registration is free, inviting all community members to participate in Baltimore’s evolving economic landscape.
Baltimore – The fourth annual Baltimore Together Summit is set to take place on October 27 at the M&T Bank Exchange in Baltimore, focusing on inclusive economic development within the city. The summit, hosted by the Baltimore Development Corporation (BDC), aims to celebrate the city’s economic gains, address ongoing challenges, and outline the next steps for Baltimore’s Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS).
The CEDS is designed to foster a more inclusive economy by seeking to eliminate racial disparities and create opportunities for underserved communities and local businesses. During the summit, a latest progress report on this strategy will be presented, which includes an updated implementation matrix reflecting key milestones achieved over the past year.
Otis Rolley, the CEO and president of the BDC, emphasized the importance of focusing on various components crucial to building a robust and inclusive economy. The summit will also acknowledge the historical disinvestment and harm caused by systemic racism in Baltimore, and it will highlight efforts to address these issues.
Panel Discussions and Workshops
The opening day of the summit will feature three panel discussions, which will cover the following topics:
- The role of the philanthropic community in supporting local economic growth.
- The impact of public-private partnerships in enabling new investments.
- Strategies for nurturing business development in the city.
Jay Nwachu, the CEO and president of Innovation Works, will lead a discussion on neighborhood-based economic development and opportunities within the city. The panel is expected to provide insights from various organizations, including the efforts of the West North Avenue Development Authority and the support from the Annie E. Casey Foundation for local nonprofits, as well as perspectives from local entrepreneurs.
Following the first day of discussions, workshops will continue throughout the week across various neighborhoods in Baltimore. Topics for these workshops will include youth entrepreneurship, neighborhood economic development, the city’s burgeoning music industry, workforce development strategies, and small business advancement.
Recognition of Achievements
Rolley mentioned the summit’s aim to recognize the successes throughout all neighborhoods of Baltimore rather than focusing solely on developments along the waterfront. Among the recent achievements highlighted are the opening of The Mill on the North, which features a collaboration of Black-owned businesses in West Baltimore, and the Baltimore Culinary Exchange, which has allocated over $1 million to restaurants, many of which are minority-owned.
The summit aspires to energize community members and leaders regarding their progress and innovation, while motivating continued contributions to Baltimore’s development. Registration for the summit is free and can be completed online through the Baltimore Together website. Specific sponsors for this year’s event include Bloomberg Philanthropies, M&T Bank, Johns Hopkins University, and the Annie E. Casey Foundation.
Last year’s summit attracted over 1,100 attendees along with more than 815 livestream participants, highlighting the growing interest and involvement in Baltimore’s economic development efforts.
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Additional Resources
- AFRO: Baltimore Together Summit 2025
- WBALTV: Baltimore Together Summit and Economic Future
- The Daily Record: 4th Annual Baltimore Together Summit
- Audacy: Baltimore Development Corporation
- Baltimore Fishbowl: Baltimore Together Economic Development Summit
- Wikipedia: Economic Development
- Google Search: Baltimore Together Summit
- Google Scholar: Baltimore Economic Development
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Economic Strategy
- Google News: Baltimore Together Summit
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