Associated Black Charities hosts 300-person summit on racial equity in Baltimore

Associated Black Charities of Maryland hosted approximately 300 professionals, advocates, and community members at the M&T Exchange in downtown Baltimore on October 23. The group gathered for the 2026 Equity in Action Conference, an event designed to address systemic racism through cooperative strategy and business planning.

Christy Thornton, CEO of Associated Black Charities, stated that racial equity is essential for building stronger workplaces, institutions, and the Baltimore region. She noted that the event theme, The Movement Continues, was chosen to signal the city's commitment to equity work while it faces pressure nationally.

The program included panel discussions organized around five specific themes. These sessions addressed leadership and career advancement, workplace culture and burnout, health and financial wellness, advocacy and influence, and economic mobility for families. Speakers provided practical strategies for employers and individuals to apply these concepts in their organizations and neighborhoods.

During the awards portion of the conference, Thornton and Cleveland L. Horton II, chair of the ABC board and executive director of the Maryland Commission on Civil Rights, presented honors to five leaders. Mark Anthony Thomas of the Greater Baltimore Committee received the Vanguard Award for Economic Innovation and Leadership. Erricka Bridgeford was honored for Cultural Impact and Advocacy, while Jennifer Wicks was recognized for Ownership and Opportunity.

Otis Rolley, president and CEO of the Baltimore Development Corporation, received an honor for People, Culture and Organizational Excellence. Joseph T. Jones Jr., founder and CEO of the Center for Urban Families, was recognized for Economic Mobility and Family Empowerment. These awards acknowledged specific contributions to moving equity forward across the region.

The event also included cultural elements and networking opportunities. The Morgan State University Choir performed under the direction of Dr. Eric Conway, and the Baltimore Urban Inspirational Collective provided musical entertainment. A preview of the holiday musical CHARZ: The Other Reindeer was also presented. Attendees browsed the Melanin Market, which featured local Black-owned businesses, and participated in an Art Walk.

The conference ended with an afterparty that extended the evening networking. The event was presented by Aberdeen Proving Ground Federal Credit Union and supported by M&T Bank, the AFRO, the University of Maryland Medical System, SECU, and the Mayor’s Office of Small and Minority Business Advocacy and Development.