Each year, the Neighborhood Spotlight Awards honor Baltimore residents whose commitment to community strengthens their neighborhood and Baltimore. We caught up with several past awardees to learn what they’ve accomplished since receiving the award, how the recognition has supported their work, and what they’re excited about next.
Meet the Awardees
Betty Bland-Thomas — 2023 Awardee
Historic Sharp Leadenhall
Betty Bland‑Thomas has long championed Historic Sharp Leadenhall, a resilient neighborhood with a rich cultural history, deeply affected by decades of disinvestment. She said BCF’s recognition opened doors and increased awareness of the neighborhood’s history and ongoing challenges.
Since winning the award, she has expanded preservation work with nearby neighborhoods, helped document local history, and launched a website sharing the community’s story. Next, Betty hopes to launch walking tours and work with University of Maryland students to collect oral histories from families displaced by the Highway to Nowhere.
She remains active in civic life, working with neighbors and Councilmember Zac Blanchard on community priorities. Betty believes, “We don’t have the luxury of saying, ‘oh it will work itself out.’ We need to be active participants in making things happen.”
Edwin A. Pérez — 2024 Awardee
Creative Alliance
Since receiving the Neighborhood Spotlight Award, Edwin A. Pérez has continued expanding his advocacy for Latino and immigrant students at the Creative Alliance and across Baltimore. Edwin recently received a Maryland TESOL award for his work with English language learners at Perry Hall High School, where he advises a student group, Unidos Somos Fuertes. This summer, he will again lead the Teen Council at the Creative Alliance, where 10–12 teens create original artwork, present it publicly, and build workplace skills through “artivism.” He hopes to turn the program into a curriculum that can be used in other places.
Edwin has also stayed connected with fellow awardees. When Urban Oasis—founded by 2024 cohort member Arica Gonzalez—hosted a festival last fall, the Creative Alliance participated. Edwin shared, “I think that’s one of the best things about this program. You can connect with people and other organizations that are doing great work, and we can work together and support each other.”
Anita Cathcart — 2024 Awardee
Allendale Community Association, Inc.
Anita Cathcart serves on the board of the Friends of Leakin Park Gwynns Falls, represents her community in the Red Line project, and continues to lead the Allendale Community Association (ACA).
For more than six years, the ACA has hosted a monthly produce giveaway with a robust volunteer group at the Mary E. Rodman Recreation Center (Anita was a key community representative during the Rec Center’s four‑year renovation). Anita explained that cars will line up for 3-4 blocks at each giveaway, especially since other sites have shut down. Recently, the Maryland Food Bank began charging $500 per month to administer the giveaway, so the Association has been focused on securing grants to sustain it. The ACA also partners with the local school and the Mary E. Rodman Recreation Center on programs including Christmas parties and career days. Looking ahead, Anita hopes to partner with BARCS to bring pet‑care resources to residents.
Anita shared that recognition from BCF has strengthened trust. “When people know you are being recognized on those levels, they tend to trust you and trust you with your time,” she said.
Janette Graham — 2025 Awardee
No Struggle No Success
Since receiving the Neighborhood Spotlight Award, Janette Graham has continued supporting people returning from incarceration, especially those with long sentences or major barriers to reentry. She has since become West Arlington’s Community President, strengthening her ability to connect with residents impacted by the justice system and broadening conversations about public safety and community-based solutions.
Janette shared that the Spotlight Award helped us to “amplify our message—that reentry requires immediate, human-centered support, not delayed systems.” Looking ahead, the organization is expanding sustainable reentry pathways through what Janette calls “Reentry Palliative Care,” including economic empowerment, second chance employer partnerships, housing advocacy, and healthcare coordination for people who lacked care during incarceration.
Janette also continues collaborating with fellow cohort members. Community Action Network has been a strong referral partner in the County, and relationships built through the Spotlight program have strengthened resource sharing and collective problem solving.
To learn more about the Neighborhood Spotlight Awards, visit www.bcf.org/neighborhoodspotlight.
