Month: July 2018

Celebrity Chef Brings Culinary Arts Program To Baltimore

Baltimore native, Robert “Chef Stew” Stewart made his mark as a personal chef and caterer to various celebrities. He is also the winner of the television show, “Cutthroat Kitchen” on Food Network. While living in Las Vegas, Nevada, the entrepreneur’s culinary quest led him to prepare cuisine for corporate and entertainment A-list clients.

Now, Chef Stewart’s latest endeavor incorporates lending a helping hand to Baltimore youth and young adults who want to learn to cook and bake their way to better opportunities.

Tucked inside the old Samuel Morse Elementary School, located at 424 South Pulaski Street, a free culinary arts training program offering employment opportunities, and on-the-job training for Baltimoreans is in development.

Chef Stewart is the visionary and CEO of a new community organization called Transition Kitchen, which is counting down the final months of preparation for a projected September launch. Registration kits with a list of supplies that the students will need are being requested from anyone who is willing to donate items. Kits include everything from pens, pencils, highlighters and flash drives to cut gloves, slip resistant shoe covers, chef beanie style hats, digital thermometers, aprons and tote bags. Raising $12,000 through GoFundMe is Chef Stewart’s current goal to cover the cost of items for 120 students at a time.

“Although Transition Kitchen was an idea I planned to incorporate into my journey, once I obtained the funding to finance it completely, watching the (Freddie Gray) riots and the ruling from the Department of Justice, the Korryn Gaines incident, and a few other heartbreaking events, I decided literally to step away from my pursuit of a restaurant and utilize my resources to provide a solution for the city,” Chef Stewart said. “So, if you can help with anything on the [registration kit] list, we plan to train 75 students monthly or 825 yearly.”

Update at press time: “On yesterday, a major donor with roots in Baltimore, pledged $20,000 to Transition Kitchen. It was given to cover the costs associated with Transition Kitchen Student Registration Kits, and one month of operational costs,” Chef Stew said. “We are extremely excited about our first major donation! Our strategy has been to ask for donations in increments that allows us to build relationships with sponsors and keep the community’s trust. We will soon release our financial statement and overview of the Transition Kitchen Program expenses to launch a fundraising campaign that will cover year one. I believe that if we collectively build, collectively the City of Baltimore benefits.”

Chef Stewart noted that the dedicated staff will not receive any financial compensation from the program, until they can begin training youth and show Transition Kitchen’s impact. A nonprofit organization called The Food Project is a partner.

“I know it’s said that charity begins at home and Charm City is my home, so I personally came back to see this thing take shape,” Chef Stewart said. “Transition Kitchen is designed for anyone [at least] 15 and a half, with a work permit, to ensure that the goal of lowering unemployment numbers would be honored. After all the stuff, I plan to implement in training is highlighting positions within the hospitality industry. It’s also very important to learn how to cook, [know the] benefits of ingredients, healthy eating habits, and importance of food safety, even if you have no desire to work in the industry as a career choice.”

Chef Stewart’s early story is rooted in perseverance. His 33-year-old father’s funeral was held the day before his twelfth birthday.

Chef Stewart recalls watching his grandmother cook in the kitchen, then returned home while wanting to duplicate the short order cook’s dishes. The young boy began calling her on the phone to ask questions and he began cooking for his brother and mother. The future chef later enrolled in Eastern Vocational Technical High School’s Culinary Arts and Restaurant Management Program. After graduation, he worked at Sheraton Baltimore North Hotel as a banquet server. His beginning point is connected to his current efforts to help Baltimoreans.

Transition Kitchen is a community-based effort and a call to action for leaders and individuals to collectively contribute to an innovative program. Gail McGee, who has been a pastry chef since 1995, will serve as the pastry chef for Transition Kitchen. Chef Stew’s former school friend will teach youth and young adults how to make diverse signature items, while teaching entry-level skills. A sous chef will work with culinary students, when Chef Stew is not present. The program will also incorporate an afterschool component.

“Each class runs for 30 days, and every 30 days, the end of that month, we have a celebration for those students. And every month, we start a new set of students, so it will be culinary and the baking, so they can choose between the two,” McGee said. “At the end of the day, he [Chef Stew] is like pretty much showing them [Baltimore’s youth], ‘Hey, I was in your position, look where I am. I used my hands to get me out of this bad situation, and the culinary position can take you far.’”

Please visit: https://www.gofundme.com/registration-kits to donate to the GoFundMe campaign. Email transitionkitchenbmore@gmail.com for more information about the program. Please note if there is an interest in the culinary or pastry portion.

Lamar Jackson Already Excelling At Ravens Camp

The Baltimore Ravens traded back into the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft to select rookie quarterback Lamar Jackson with the No. 32 overall pick. The Ravens offense has been in need of a jolt over the last few years.

Jackson’s dynamic playmaking ability led to him winning the Heisman Trophy in 2016. He tortured opposing defenses both throwing and running with the ball while at Louisville. Now, his goal is to do the same in Baltimore.

“When they see my running ability, they see me make people miss in the open field; they just try to label me. I don’t want to say as an ‘athlete’ but at the same time, they could say, ‘He could play running back or receiver,’ or something like that,” Jackson said during his first press conference in Baltimore back in April.

“That’s just a plus for me. I can throw the ball with the best of them like I always say. I can make any throw on the field, but I can bring something else to the table, and that’s dynamic running ability.”

The evidence is already has started to surface already as Jackson has made numerous deep throws for touchdowns to wide receivers such as undrafted rookie free agent Jordan Lasley. The effortless flick of the wrist that Jackson uses to launch the ball down the field is reminiscent of former Atlanta Falcons and Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick.

That is no coincidence. Jackson grew up watching Vick dominate football games.

“He’s been a big influence on me. My first Madden game was 2003, but I played with Michael Vick [in] 2004, and he was out of control,” Jackson said. “Just watching him on a video game and watching him on TV and seeing what he did, what he brought to the table with his team, winning games for Atlanta, it was like, ‘Man, I want to do some of the things he did on the field.’”

Jackson’s play has stood out to veterans on the Ravens already in camp. Veteran wideout Michael Crabtree called Jackson a ‘baller’ and said he plans to encourage the young quarterback to go out and make plays to prove doubters wrong.

Offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg worked with Vick in Philadelphia. He likes what he’s seen from Jackson so far.

“He’s done an outstanding job up to date. He’s way ahead of the curve,” Mornhinweg said in a recent press conference. “You can see on the practice field; it’s coming now. He’s getter better every day. He’s done a fabulous job here of improving every day becoming a pocket passer.”

Jackson will get a chance to showcase his skills when the Ravens open the preseason at the Hall of Fame game in a couple of weeks.

Future Baltimore Earns Prestigious National Award

In 2017, Kaiser Permanente announced a $1.7 million commitment to launch a neighborhood revitalization project in partnership with Bon Secours that both entities said would advance health equity and economic opportunity in West Baltimore.

The announcement was built on previous planning grants to Bon Secours Community Works and solidified a long-term partnership between Kaiser Permanente, Bon Secours and several communities in the 21223-zip code.

Today, officials at Future Baltimore, the flagship partnership between Bon Secours and Kaiser Permanente, received national recognition for its exemplary partnership to transform an entire zip code in West Baltimore.

The U.S Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the Council on Foundations (COF) announced the 2018 winners of The Secretary’s Award for Public Philanthropic Partnerships, a national award presented by HUD Secretary Ben Carson at HUD headquarters in Washington recognizing 10 foundations and their public-sector partners for collaborations to transform communities and improve lives.

“We are deeply humbled to have our transformative initiative recognized by HUD and COF. It gives us national visibility and will only help enhance what we are accomplishing on the ground,” said Dr. Destiny-Simone Ramjohn, Kaiser Permanente of the Mid-Atlantic’s director of community health. “Future Baltimore is the cornerstone of Bon Secours, Kaiser, and neighborhood leaders that are attempting to leverage the power of hope and partnership to dramatically disrupt the inequity in [the area].”

Future Baltimore remains dedicated and focused on addressing the social, economic and health needs of community members who live in three neighborhoods in the 21223-zip code, which includes Fayette Street Outreach, Boyd Booth and Franklin Square.

The centerpiece of the Bon Secours and Kaiser Permanente collaboration is the renovation of an abandoned library located one block south of Bon Secours Baltimore Hospital at 31 S. Payson Street. The plan is to transform the property into a community resource center to house support for issues ranging from health care to economic and social services.

The community resource center will be supported by local partners.

“The partnership between Bon Secours and Kaiser Permanente is building relationships and changing lives in West Baltimore. Neighbors are excited about the transformation underway and look forward to taking the journey into a Future Baltimore with us,” Dr. Samuel Ross of Bon Secours Baltimore said in a statement.

Also, in a statement, Secretary Carson praised the collaborative approach to service that he said would lead to solutions to help the most vulnerable communities.

“I’m pleased to recognize these award winners for the important work they do to serve the housing, health, and safety and educational needs of their fellow Americans,” Dr. Carson said.

The cross-sector partnerships demonstrated among the winners highlight the power of collaboration, said COF president and CEO Gene Cochrane.

The unofficial model of the Future Baltimore program is “Nothing about me without me,” Ramjohn said, meaning that the organizations serve at the pleasure of the community and responds to their needs.

She said the partnership has nine programs that address four community health needs; mental health, economic security, health care access and community safety.

“We are in this for the long haul,” Ramjohn said. “We will consider it successful when we have disrupted the cycle of poverty, disrupted inequity in [the zip code] and when we see expanded opportunities for employment and affordable housing and communities that are hopeful and socially adhesive.

“We have to make sure we’re agile enough to continue to be a good partner because it’s the kind of issues that can’t be solved overnight.

“We plan to be lock-step in the community and responding to their needs.”

This Is Why Migrant Parents Travel With Children

There has been a strange response by many white conservatives to the separation of migrant children from their parents. Whether we are discussing undocumented migrants or those requesting asylum, there has been rightwing pushback to the larger chorus of condemnation of the Trump administration for its zero tolerance. These right-wingers claim that it is the parents who are to blame for the separation crisis.

Let’s stop and think about this for a moment. If the parents of these children are attempting to escape criminal violence or destitution, why would leave their children behind and who would they leave them with? Perhaps that would be the case if one were discussing migrants from economically, politically and socially stable countries who would first send one relative ahead and then bring the family. But what if a woman is trying to escape domestic violence? What if a family is attempting to escape intimidation carried out by criminal gangs? What if one is seeking freedom from political persecution and/or repression? Under those conditions how likely would you be to leave your children behind?

I have been thinking about this a great deal in the context of the current, Trump-instigated immigration crisis. But it came to a head for me in reading of Trump’s remarks in Europe regarding immigration. He warned Europe that they were being overwhelmed and ruined by immigrants. My guess is that Trump was not talking about Polish immigrants moving to Britain. Rather, as has become clear for Trump, “immigration” means immigration from the global South to Europe and the United States. I cannot imagine Trump ordering the separation of undocumented Russian or Irish immigrants from their children but if one looks at immigrants from Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, as originating from so-called “shithole” countries— as Trump apparently does— none of this should come as a surprise.

To blame migrant parents for the current Trump-instigated crisis and to suggest that the parents are wrong for bringing their children along is another display of the ignorance and a racial blind spot for much of white America; that ideology can only originate in the minds of people who know next to nothing about the conditions that migrants are fleeing and their near total amnesia concerning the experiences of other groups of migrants who arrived on these shores over the decades.

What I find particularly unsettling is the way that a sizeable minority of the United States has become quite comfortable with the idea that migrants from the global South are somehow unworthy of the human rights guarantees that the United States is supposed to uphold.

I wonder how many of these same people would have questioned the rights of European immigrants in the aftermath of World War II who were crossing borders en masse to escape the results of that war.

Oh, but I forgot. That was a deserving population.

Bill Fletcher, Jr. is a talk show host, writer and activist. Follow him on Twitter @BillFletcherJr, Facebook and at www.billfletcherjr.com.

Baltimore’s Allison Brown Is More Than just An Entrepreneur

Baltimore native Allison Elizabeth Brown has amassed more than twenty years experience in youth based, non-profit work. She has also worked professionally in the entertainment industry.

The Baltimore-born entrepreneur possesses a passion for the development of minority owned businesses and programs designed to strengthen minority youth.

At the recent Baltimore Times Access to Capital 2.0 free financial education workshop, Brown showcased her two entrepreneurial endeavors— AEBBusiness.com and AllisonElizabethBrown.com.

“I have two companies. The first company [AEBBusiness.com] is about nine years old and I personally have over 12 years of experience, specifically in branding and entertainment development,” Brown said.

At the Access to Capital 2.0 event Brown not only helped to inspire others but she says she also drew inspiration from the other participants.

“I thought the ‘Lendistry’ presentation was concise and informative. The panel consisting of lenders was exceptional as well, and I would love to see them both provide a more in-depth conversation to more experienced business owners,” Brown said.

Invited to attend the workshop by Baltimore Times Publisher Joy Bramble, Brown participated in a question and answer session featuring entrepreneurs and business people who talked about their road to success and their experiences managing personal and business credit.

Brown says she wasn’t sure what to expect when she was invited to attend and to be a participant.

“Within the first 15 minutes, it was very clear that the Baltimore Times was offering a comprehensive event for both novice and seasoned business owners that both enforces sound business practices as well as effectively disseminates what resources are available for financing business startup or growth,” she said.

At AEB Business, Brown seeks to assist startups and established enterprises to successfully communicate their distinct brand identity and mission, along with relevant campaigns to their appropriate demographic.

Specifically, she says she offers an array of services from conceptualizing to full execution, acting either as the consultant or service provider in several areas.

Her AllisonElizabethBrown.com business invites shoppers to a uniquely curated world of urban fashion, glamour and style. Brown boasts more than a decade of fashion experience and industry knowledge, and in her webpage, she has created more than just a site— it’s a destination.

“I’ve brought four distinct brands together on this one site for one easy shopping experience,” she said in describing her site. “There’s something for every woman and for almost any occasion.”

Branding and fashion isn’t all that occupies Brown’s time.

For more than five years she has managed businesses for fashion virtuoso Marjorie Harvey, the wife of talk show host and comedian Steve Harvey. She has also performed work branding the southern gospel artist tour “Embrace the Change” for President Barack Obama’s initial presidential campaign

Brown, who earned a Master of Arts degree in Urban Education and is a graduate of the Baltimore School for the Arts, has also excelled in screenwriting, directing and choreography, among many other ventures.

She is the recipient of a George Soros Community Fellow grant for her extensive work in both West Baltimore and East Baltimore and has modeled under the famed Wilhelmina’s creative talent division in New York.

Through all of her accomplishments, Brown remains focused and recognizes the various challenges that entrepreneurs face, particularly those with online businesses.

“We must create live experiences that counter balance our digital marketing initiatives. It’s important in business to have both forms of marketing and not heavily rely on one,” Brown said.

“Especially because of the algorithms and other digital manipulations online business owners have to have [plus] multiple business marketing strategies to ensure that they are effectively reaching their consumer.”

When asked what advice she would give to young aspiring entrepreneurs, Brown said that it’s important they do their homework.

“Establish a network of mentors and advisors, build partnerships, practice the habit of visualizing your success on a regular basis and jot down constant strategies to get there— determine very early on to keep going no matter what,” she said.

Marylanders Reminded To Take Basic Steps To Reduce Risk Of West Nile Virus

BALTIMORE — The Maryland Department of Health (MDH) announced the first confirmed and locally acquired case of West Nile Virus (WNV) in Maryland this year. The infected individual is an adult who lives in the Baltimore Metro region. MDH routinely tracks and responds to mosquito-borne infections, including Zika virus, and no other locally acquired arboviral infections have been identified this year.

The number of human WNV cases in Maryland has varied over time. The peak years of human activity occurred in 2003 and 2012, with 73 and 47 WNV cases reported statewide, respectively.

In 2015, there were 46 human cases of WNV infection in Maryland, nearly reaching the 2012 peak.

Marylanders are reminded that they can take simple steps to reduce the risk of getting infected. Those protective measures include:

•Avoiding areas of high mosquito activity

•Wearing long pants, long-sleeved shirts, and hats, when concerned about mosquitoes

•Using an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered insect repellent according to package directions

Most individuals infected with WNV will not have any symptoms. Those who do develop illness usually will have any combination of fever, headache, body aches, skin rash, and swollen lymph glands. These symptoms generally

appear two to 14 days following the bite of an infected mosquito. Fewer than one percent of individuals exposed to the virus will develop more severe infections, with symptoms such as headache, high fever, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, and paralysis.

In rare instances, WNV can be fatal. Individuals older than 60 have the greatest risk of developing severe disease.

Individuals with compromised immune systems also may be at high risk of WNV infection.

Marylanders are urged to monitor their own yards and gardens for standing water that can serve as a breeding ground for mosquitoes. Small amounts of water in a discarded can or container will support dozens of mosquitoes.

To eliminate mosquito-breeding areas:

•Clean rain gutters to allow water to flow freely

•Empty or screen corrugated drain pipes

•Remove old tires or drill drainage holes in tires used as playground equipment

•Turn over wading pools, wheelbarrows, wagons, and carts when not in use

•Flush water from the bottom of plant holders twice a week

•Replace water in birdbaths at least twice a week

•Turn garbage can lids upside down and make sure trash receptacles are empty of water

•Fix dripping faucets

•Aerate ornamental pools and water gardens or stock with fish and use a circulating filter system

For additional information on West Nine Virus, visit MDH at https://phpa.health.maryland.gov/OIDEOR/CZVBD/Pages/west-nile-virus.aspx and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at http://www.cdc.gov/westnile.

Focus On Transportation

Over the weekend, Baltimore will host more than 600 members and friends of COMTO, the Council of Minority Transportation Officials, as they convene for the 47th annual National Training Conference. The conference is being held at the Hilton Inner Harbor from July 28 to August 1.

The conference will attract transportation industry leaders from around the country to share ideas, innovations and opportunities for career planning and development in related fields.

Founded in 1971 on the campus of Howard University, COMTO was created in part to provide a forum for minority professionals in the transportation industry. Its mission is to “ensure opportunities and maximum participation in the transportation industry for minority individuals, businesses, and communities of color, through advocacy, information sharing, training, education, and professional development.”

A. Bradley Mims is COMTO’s CEO and President, a native of Maryland and says “Maryland is located at Central East Coast transportation crossroads, has one of the strongest state economies in the country and boasts one of the wealthiest minority constituencies in the United States. It also has one of the most progressive/aggressive DBE/MBE Business contracting programs in the United States. Our very robust multimodal transportation infrastructure is being improved to meet the needs of our constituency for the 21st Century – all of which will be showcased at the 47th Annual COMTO National Meeting and Training Conference.”

Membership includes individuals, groups, transportation agencies, private sector corporations, non-profit organizations, and Historically Underutilized Businesses (HUBs). Maryland is one of 39 Chapters from across the country and last hosted the conference in 1998.

The co-sponsor of the conference is the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) which includes the State Highway Administration, Maryland Aviation Administration, the Maryland Transit Administration, the Maryland Transportation Authority, and the Maryland Port Administration.

“Partnerships with private companies allow us to share our resources on projects that benefit our communities and our businesses,” said R. Earl Lewis, Deputy Secretary for MDOT. “We have to make sure we’re engaging all of the stakeholders in the discussion as we determine how to best use these partnerships to connect people to life’s opportunities.”

Other sponsors of the conference include national and local private industry firms including Morgan State University and Visit Baltimore.

The conference offers workshops, panel discussions, and training for both professionals and students. It is also a platform to present new technologies and innovations to address growing increasing concerns addressing infrastructure and safety.

“Career and business opportunities in the transportation industry are vast and diverse. However, women and minorities are all too often unaware of these opportunities. COMTO is a leader in ensuring women and minorities are both aware and prepared for career and business opportunities in the various modes of transportation,” says Ricky D. Smith, CEO of Baltimore/ Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport and COMTO MD Board member.

On Saturday, July 28 in addition to a golf tournament, COMTO partners with Morgan State University to present a Youth Symposium to learn about transportation related careers in civil engineering and design. It’s free and open to youth ages 11 – 18 (see flyer). It’s not too late to register.

Along with training and development, the conference offers an opportunity through technical tours to showcase innovative projects in Maryland. And no visit to Baltimore would be complete without an opportunity to taste the best crabs on the east coast with a crab feast cruise on the Spirit of Baltimore on July 29.

Co-Chairs for the conference are David Coyne, Vice-President of Johnson, Mirmiran & Thompson, Inc., Carl Sajous, Director of Business Development at MV Transportation, and Meshelle M.V. Howard, Director, Division of Civil Rights and Fair Practices for MDOT Maryland Transportation Authority

Although full registration is closed, it’s also not too late for interested persons, including non- members, to register for one day to attend selected workshops and panel discussions. For more information, visit www.comto.org. To catch up with activities during the conference, follow the Maryland Chapter on Facebook at comtomd.

UA Basketball’s New Original Series Home Court: Baltimore

Under Armour Basketball’s new inaugural series, Home Court: Baltimore is now live on YouTube! This first season spotlights UA’s home base of Baltimore, Maryland, and explores the cultural impact basketball, style, food and music rooted in Charm City. Sarunas Jackson, star of HBO series Insecure and a former hooper, takes viewers on a journey of discovery, where he meets up with locals at iconic establishments within various inner-communities for an intimate view of B’more’s unique culture.

Baltimore is known for its tough attitude and preserving authenticity to the highest degree. Watching the series offers viewers a front seat to discover the streets of Baltimore and dive into the resilient nature of the city through the subcultures present in the game of basketball, homegrown fashion trends, truly local eats and the artists influencing Baltimore sounds via the underground club music of which the city is notorious for.

Directed by Shomi Patwary.

Episode 2: Camera Ready (style on and off the court)

The young women of St. Frances Academy and the young men of Team Thrill talk through their personal style and how they stay fresh both on and off the hardwood.

Local barber Mike Tribb shows off the Cruddy, a popular hair style for local young athletes.

YouTube

Home Court: Camera Ready

Annapolis City Dock Named To List Of America’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places

ANNAPOLIS — The National Trust for Historic Preservation has named Annapolis’s City Dock to its 2018 list of America’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places, an annual list that spotlights important examples of our nation’s architectural and cultural heritage at risk of destruction or irreparable damage.

Almost 300 places have been on the list over its 31-year history, and in that time, fewer than five percent of listed sites have been lost.

Since it’s listing as a National Historic Landmark District in 1965, Annapolis has remained one of the most intact and authentic colonial towns in the nation. Over the course of the past 50 years, numerous Annapolitans have invested in the care, upkeep and protection of this unique place. Providing the city with economic vitality, these efforts have made Annapolis one of the state’s premier heritage tourist destinations, drawing visitors from around the globe who are attracted to the its charm and history.

Key to the success of Annapolis have been the reasonable and carefully enforced historic district guidelines that have protected the National Historic Landmark’s irreplaceable buildings, character, and unparalleled views. The current proposal to re-zone portions of the historic district and allow for incompatible development on the historic waterfront threatens to upend five decades of effort to safeguard Annapolis’s exceptional heritage.

“To the dismay of residents and visitors alike, the proposed rezoning of the Colonial Annapolis Historic District opens the door for permanent loss of the area’s unique character,” said Stephanie K. Meeks, president and CEO of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. “Annapolis deserves redevelopment that embraces the history of the community and provides for compatible growth within the framework of the already adopted preservation guidelines— ensuring that one of the state’s premier heritage tourist destinations is maintained for the benefit and enjoyment of future generations.”

“The current rezoning proposal is not worthy of Annapolis and should be rejected,” said Robert C. Clark president and CEO of Historic Annapolis. “The 11 Most Endangered Listing is a formal recognition by the National Trust that “This Place Matters,” and the proposed re-zoning is a serious and imminent threat to a place designated as one of America’s Treasures.”

Historic Annapolis, along with the National Trust and its statewide partner Preservation Maryland, is not opposed to thoughtful redevelopment of underutilized areas of the Annapolis Historic District. The organizations are, however, opposed to lifting critical height and bulk restrictions that have preserved the authentic, human-scale setting that

defines the Annapolis experience and preserve the intersection of the built and natural environment. Over-scaled development at the water’s edge threatens to eliminate the critical connection between the water and the city, create untold environmental challenges, and invites further degradation of the historic district. If not approached with careful consideration, new development could be accompanied by added stress on fragile foundations, historic masonry, and the quality of life of District residents.

Preservation Maryland and Historic Annapolis have launched an online petition to gather names of individuals opposed to this damaging plan. Resident of the City of Annapolis and anyone else who appreciates the history of Annapolis are encouraged to sign the petition at: presmd.org/annapolis

Members of the public can view the full 2018 list of America’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places and learn about what they can do to support these treasured sites at: www.SavingPlaces.org/11Most

Is The Aim Of Education To Get Good Jobs Or To Be Good Citizens?

Washington D.C — You’d think that the National Academies of Sciences would be out there promoting STEM education: the study of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. However, a new report questions whether the purpose of education is to provide students with “a path to educated citizenship or employment.”

“There’s no question that a knowledgeable citizenry is a responsible and productive one. President Lincoln surely had that notion in mind when he signed the charter creating what was then known as the National Academy of Science. Indeed, the future generations of Americans would need to be proficient in new emerging technologies. But, ultimately, they would need to put their knowledge of the sciences in context. And, that frame work can only be provided by studying the humanities as well—including history,” according to education advocate David Bruce Smith.

The polls show that the great majority of students and their parents see higher education as the road to a good job.

As a result the liberal arts have taken a subservient position to the Sciences as the majors of choice— in colleges and universities— over the past several decades.

Scott Carlson is a senior writer at The Chronicle of Higher Education; in a recent article he argues that the humanities may be equally as important as the sciences. Carlson writes that the “noncognitive skills” you learn from the study of history and the arts, for example, provide qualities employers seek—“pluck and ingenuity” and “cultural awareness and critical thinking.”

As he puts it: “Major in the “useless” liberal arts, and you’ll get the training you need to work for the giants of Silicon Valley and burgeoning creative industries. You will inoculate yourself against the threat of machines and robots that may automate once-stable careers like accounting and manufacturing out of existence.”

Smith, who co-founded the Grateful American Book Prize with the late Dr. Bruce Cole, former chairman of the National Endowment for the Humanities, agrees with Carlson’s position on the issue.