The State of Black Women in Baltimore
Jan. 6
Two recent reports from NPR uncovered some scary but not unsurprising news about black women and our maternal health: that we and our babies die more often during and immediately after childbirth than our white counterparts, and that the stress of racism is the cause. We are, as Malcolm X once said (and Beyoncé famously repeated) the most unprotected, most neglected of this country’s citizens. Brittany T. Oliver, local activist and founder of Not Without Black Women, says the ways in which black women are marginalized can be seen clearly in Baltimore’s problems and policies. The group’s goal, therefore, is to change all that. There will be speeches, spoken word, a panel (including Dr. Helena Hicks, among others), and opportunity for dialogue. Come ready to learn, and then work toward some radical change. 3:30-5:30 p.m., Mobtown Ballroom, 861 Washington Blvd., facebook.com/events/182594778963177, free. (Lisa Snowden-McCray)
BWU Day of Action
Jan. 8
Start the new year off by doing your part to make this world better for women in Baltimore: Head to this event, organized by Baltimore Women United. Attendees will learn more about the next Maryland Legislative Session and what they can do to advance proposed bills related to issues like “Ban the Box,” protection for the families of rape survivors, and gender discrimination in car insurance. Children are welcome. 6 p.m., Enoch Pratt Free Library Waverly Branch, 400 E. 33rd St., baltimorewomenunited.org, free (registration required). (Lisa Snowden-McCray)
West Wednesdays. Tawanda Jones, the sister of Tyrone West, a man killed in police custody in July 2013, has been gathering every Wednesday with other activists in the city to call attention to West’s death and police brutality in Baltimore. Jan. 3 and 10. Usually held at the intersection of 33rd and Greenmount Avenue, check facebook.com/justicefortyronewest for details.
Wage Commission. Monthly meeting of commission charged with administration and proper operation of the minimum, living, and prevailing wage laws. Jan. 4, 3:30 p.m., Office of Civil Rights, 7 E. Redwood St., 9th floor, civilrights.baltimorecity.gov/wage-commission.
Vision Board Career Workshop. Build your vision board for career success in 2018. Presented by Natasha OrtizFortier of Creative Career Chic. Registration required. Jan. 6, 10 a.m.-noon, Waverly Branch, Adult Quiet Room, 400 E. 33rd St., (410) 396-6053, calendar.prattlibrary.org.
League of Women Voters Annual Legislative Breakfast 2018. Meet state senators and delegates and hear their responses to League priorities and their plans for the 2018 General Assembly. Jan. 6, 9 a.m.-noon., The Church of St. Michael & All Angels, 2013 St. Paul St., (410) 377-7738, facebook.com/events/1986861658268472.
Baltimore Community Accountability Project Workshop 5. Fifth workshop in a series dedicated to establishing community accountability. Jan. 7, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., The Baltimore Free School, 30 W. North Ave., facebook.com/events/1694725453900305.
Baltimore: Legislative Preview on Preservation and Conservation. Learn about local, state, and federal advocacy efforts to help save places that matter and how you can be a force for preservation and conservation. Jan. 8, 6-7 p.m., Enoch Pratt Free Library, Hampden Branch, 3641 Falls Road, preservationmaryland.org.
Baltimore’s Water Crisis: A Lose-Lose. Del. Mary Washington, Rev. Dr. Alvin J. Gwynn Sr., and leading utility affordability expert Roger Colton discuss the failures of Baltimore’s current water billing system. Jan. 8, 6:30 p.m., Studio 4 Baltimore, 235 Holliday St., (443) 454-7669, facebook.com/events/381345808973880.
GSW Speaker Series: Bridging Art and Activism. Bilphena Yahwon, a local writer and social justice advocate, speaks on the connections between art and activism. Jan. 8, 7 p.m., The 29th Street Community Center, 300 E. 29th St., (443) 213-0394, strongcitybaltimore.org/event.
Meeting of the Board of School Commissioners. Regularly scheduled meetings for the public to offer comments according to specified guidelines. Second and fourth Tuesdays. Jan. 9, 5 p.m., 200 E. North Ave., (443) 984-2000, baltimorecityschools.org/school_board/meetings.
Board of Estimates Meeting. City Council President Young will chair the weekly meeting of the Board of Estimates. Jan. 10, 9 a.m., Baltimore City Hall, Hyman A. Pressman Board Room, 100 N. Holliday St., (410) 396-4804, baltimorecitycouncil.com/content/board-estimates-meeting-38