People living in this city are often told who they are, often by people who haven’t bothered to learn anything about them. At Baltimore Beat, we know that our job isn’t just to educate — it’s to listen to and amplify the people who are already here. It’s why we prioritize community voices and deeply appreciate the perspectives of the marginalized and the poor and working class.
These were the things that were at the front of my mind when I was helping to found Baltimore Beat, and I’m proud to say that we are meeting the ideals I dreamed of and so much more.
However, doing the work is only half the battle. We have to be loud and proud about the revolutionary, boundary-pushing work we are doing. That is why I’m so happy to present our very first Impact Report. Here, you’ll find an accounting of the kinds of stories we’re telling, the people who are telling them, and the way they are changing our city for the better.
It’s also important that we are sustainable. It’s important that our news be free and accessible because we know that for communities to be healthy, everyone needs to know what’s going on. We also know that we can’t just pay local writers — we must pay them well. Money matters. To that end, you’ll find the ways we are growing individual giving and partnering with foundations to give our city the news and community-building it truly deserves.
I hope this report gets you as excited about the work we’re doing as my team and I are.
Thanks so much for reading.
Sincerely,
Lisa Snowden, Publisher and CEO