By AFRO Staff
Baltimore has experienced a variety of highs and lows this year. From hosting the HBCU basketball teams involved in CIAA to the launch of the guaranteed income pilot, the year has offered a plethora of eye-catching headlines. Read below and take a walk down 2022’s memory lane. Where were you when some of these events took place? Find us on Facebook, IG and Twitter to let us know how you weathered the ups and downs of 2022 in Baltimore!
Marilyn Mosby indicted
- On Jan. 13, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland Erek Barron indicted Baltimore State Attorney Marilyn Mosby on federal charges of perjury and making false mortgage applications.The state attorney allegedly violated the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) to preemptively withdraw money from her retirement account in order to purchase vacation homes in Florida. Although her husband, Baltimore City Council President Nick Mosby, is mentioned in the indictment for money-shifting, he has had no charges brought against him.
- Baltimore hosts the CIAA Basketball Tournament
- Between Feb. 22 and Feb. 26, Baltimore hosted the 2022 Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Basketball Tournament at its Royal Farms Arena. Teams from Historically Black Colleges and Universities up and down the East Coast all competed at the championship. On Feb. 26, Fayetteville State University of North Carolina won the bracket for the men’s basketball championship, while the women’s basketball team of Lincoln University of Pennsylvania took home the trophy. This was the first time the CIAA was hosted in Charm City since 1952. The competition will return in 2023.
Mask mandates lifted for Baltimore City Public Schools staff and students
- On March 14, 2022, Baltimore City Public Schools (City Schools) made masks and face coverings optional for students, faculty, staff and visitors. Individuals were only required to wear a mask if they were exposed to COVID-19, recovering from the virus or if they displayed associated symptoms while at school.
- May Brandon Scott launches the guaranteed income pilot program
- Mayor Brandon Scott launched the Baltimore Young Families Success Fund (BYFSF) on April 20 to reduce poverty and increase households’ financial security. The new guaranteed income pilot program will provide 200 young parents between the ages of 18 and 24 with a monthly cash payment of $1,000 over two years.
- HBO series, “We Own This City” spotlights corruption in Baltimore City Police Department
- Following the success of Baltimore-centric media like “The Wire” and “The Slow Hustle,” HBO released “We Own This City” on April 25, a limited TV series examining the rise and fall of the Baltimore City Police Department’s disreputable Gun Trace Task Force. Jon Bernthal played Sgt. Wayne Jenkins, the double-dealing leader of the task force, and Jamie Hector played Detective Sean Suiter, who was mysteriously found dead in West Baltimore a day before he was set to testify before a grand jury on the corruption within the Gun Trace Task Force. The show was largely praised by critics.
- Former Mayor Catherine Pugh breaks her silence after being released from prison (AFRO Exclusive)
- In an exclusive sit-down with the AFRO on May 12, former Mayor Catherine broke her silence and discussed her time in federal prison for conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, conspiracy to defraud the U.S. and tax evasion with her “Healthy Holly” books. The interview came after Pugh’s quiet return to Charm City. During it, the politician disclosed that while serving time she became a prison cook, taught piano and helped other imprisoned women achieve their GEDs.
Trevor White killed
On June 19 co-owner of the popular soul food restaurant, Trevor White, was shot and killed outside of his East Baltimore home.
- Freeman Hrabowski retires as president of University of Maryland, Baltimore County
- After 30 years of serving as president of University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC), education champion Freeman Hrabowski stepped down from his post on June 30. The Alabama native, who went to jail with Martin Luther King as a child, turned the school into a Research One university and the country’s top producer of Black graduates who go on to earn M.D.s and Ph.D.s.
- Baltimore officials react to broad daylight murder involving squeegee boys
- Before the Baltimore Orioles took to the pitch to play the Los Angeles Angels on July 7, an altercation broke out at a Downtown intersection between Timothy Reynolds and a squeegee crew fixed at the corner of Conway and Light Streets. The altercation resulted in the shooting and death of the 48-year-old and a 14-year old charged with murder. The Baltimore Police Department reported that Reynolds exited his vehicle with a baseball bat to attack the workers, and one of the squeegee boys fired a gun in response. The perpetrator, now 15, is being tried as an adult.
- West Baltimore residents forced to boil water after E.coli is found
- On Sep. 5, the Department of Public Works (DPW) detected E.coli bacteria in West Baltimore water while conducting routine testing. Residents were advised to boil water for at least one minute before use. DPW set up water distribution locations to help families cope with the contamination.
- AFRO celebrates 130th anniversary
- On Aug. 13, the AFRO celebrated its 130th anniversary! The news organization, known as the ‘Black Media Authority,’ held a celebratory gala at Martin’s Crosswinds in Greenbelt, Md. with special guests in attendance, including Congressman Kweisi Mfume and host Tommy Davidson. During the celebration, AFRO publisher Frances “Toni” Draper, a direct descendant of the Murphy family, physically received her publisher of the year award from the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA), which announced the honor earlier in the year.
- Lexington Market has soft opening
- Lexington Market, the oldest continually-operating market in the country, held its soft opening for its newly renovated Arcade building on Oct. 24. The $45-million redevelopment of the South market building, led by Baltimore-based Seawall, began in January 2020. The revamped space can host more than 45 merchants and now includes a public plaza with green spaces.
- After 25 years on the air, Baltimore native Larry Young commemorated his impressive career in radio with a celebration at Martin’s West on Oct. 27. The host of award-winning Larry Young Morning Show on Radio One’s WOLB 1010 AM enjoyed the event with guests, including Cathy Hughes, founder and chairman of Urban One, Gov.-Elect Wes Moore and Rev. Al Sharpton.
- Tyree Colion Moorehead, Baltimore City anti-gun activist, shot to death by police
- Baltimore anti-gun violence activist Tyree Colion Moorehead died on Nov. 6 after being shot nearly 13 times by Baltimore City police. After responding to a 911 call, officers witnessed Moorehead assaulting a woman at knifepoint in West Baltimore. The activist was known for creating “No Shoot Zones” throughout the city, memorializing the victims of gun violence, and was 46 when he died.
- The Reginald F. Lewis Foundation holds essay contest, gifts $5M to Obama Foundation
- The Baltimore foundation created by the late Black business mogul, Reginald F. Lewis used funds this year to support Baltimore youth and the Obama Foundation. The Reginald F. Lewis Foundation held an essay-writing competition in November for Baltimore City Public School students to learn more about Lewis’ legacy and awarded top prizes of $3,000, $2,000 and $1,000 to the first, second and third place winners. Each of the victors also received $1,000 for the school they attend.
- On Dec. 7, the foundation granted $5 million to the Obama Foundation, which works to inspire and empower the world’s next generation of leaders.
Father Donald Sterling retires
On Christmas Day Father Donald Sterling, of New All Saints Roman Catholic Church, preached his last sermon before heading into retirement.
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