By Tashi McQueen
AFRO Staff Writer
tmcqueen@afro.com
This week the AFRO is recognizing leaders who continue to carry the torch of Martin Luther King Jr.
Born and raised in East Baltimore, faith, family and community drive the work of Councilman Antonio “Tony” Glover (D-District 13). He is a stellar example of a public servant doing the work of King.
“I want to stand on the shoulders that paved the way for me,” said Glover. “I’m truly blessed for leaders such as Martin Luther King Jr., I just want to make sure that I continue the legacy and keep it alive.”
In 2020, according to the Baltimore City Census, the 13th District was home to 28,216 Black residents and 4,304 White residents.
Glover said his path to the Baltimore City Council was unique, in that he is one of the only people to “come through city agencies.”
“I was a part of DPW (Department of Public Works) for 16 years, then I went on to the State’s Attorney’s Office for seven years,” said Glover.
Glover first started serving on the council on Dec. 10, 2020. He was re-elected to office on Nov. 5, 2024.
“I’m considered the councilman that is hands-on,” said Glover. “I’ve seen what the people of Baltimore have seen, I feel what they feel. I understand it because I was a part of the culture.”
Glover stays engaged in the community through attending a variety of community events throughout the district such as potlucks and block parties. He’s also recently hosted a community nourishment and well-being event in East Baltimore.
“Moving forward, my goal is to make sure that we’re strengthening those agencies, such as DPW…to make sure these workers are getting the right amount of pay…and the dignity they deserve,” said Glover.
“Not just the many citizens of Baltimore, but I think the workers in the DPW have allowed me to be their champion, to be their voice,” said Glover. “They feel like ‘finally, we have someone on the council that understands it the way we understand it.’”
Glover touted that through his work with DPW, an agency that faced increased scrutiny in 2024 after two workers died on the job, the agency has improved.
“I do see that there are newly remodeled bathrooms for facilities, showers for those men and women,” he said.
He also said safety training has been implemented more into the culture.
Glover, in the work he does for DPW workers, leans on Martin Luther King Jr.’s belief in equality and dignity for all.
“It’s not just a trash man or woman– they’re sanitation workers,” said Glover. “They care about cleaning the City of Baltimore.”
According to the Civil Rights Digital Library, King led a protest in support of Memphis, Tenn. sanitation workers on March 29, 1968. African-American workers demanded better wages, recognition of their union and a safer work environment.
King dedicated some of his last days to improving life for sanitation workers and their families. The Memphis Sanitation Worker Strike began on Feb. 12, 1968, and ended on April 16, 1968, about two weeks after King was killed in the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tenn.
“At the end of the day, we need sanitation workers,” said Glover. “Those are our essential workers. Those are the men and women that pick up the things that none of us want to touch. They are what I consider the heart and soul of Baltimore.”
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