2025 Baltimore CONNECT Conference Program

May 01, 2025

9:00am -4:00pm

The Village of Mondawmin Whiting & Turner Conference Center 3201 Tioga Parkway, Suite Q, Baltimore, MD 21215

Welcome to the 2025 Baltimore CONNECT Conference—Community Connections: Building Awareness & Access.

We’re excited to gather with you today at the Whiting Turner Conference Center in the heart of Mondawmin Mall.

This year’s theme celebrates the power of coming together to expand awareness and access across Baltimore. Whether you're a returning partner or new to our community, your presence strengthens our collective impact.

Today is an opportunity to explore new strategies, build lasting partnerships, and leave with fresh tools and inspiration. Baltimore CONNECT is proud to stand with you in this important work—we believe deeply in the power of collaboration to drive change.

With gratitude and hope,

OUR VISION We imagine a Baltimore community where everyone is connected and empowered with opportunities to grow and thrive.

OUR MISSION To enhance the quality of life of every individual in Baltimore through strong partnerships and a commitment to inclusion and trust.

LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR NETWORK Partner Members

Our Friends

Our Committees

Individually we can do a lot, together we can do more.

Building Awareness & Access

8:30am - 8:50am

8:55am - 9:05am

Registration & Check in Breakfast provided

Welcome Address

Dr. Albert Wu, President & Ms. Patricia Barger Baltimore CONNECT, Inc. - Room AB

9:05am - 9:20am

Opening Address

9:20am - 9:30am

Special Remarks

9:30am - 10:05am

Partnering with Anchor Institutions

10:05am - 10:15am

Drivers of Success in Community-Based Partnerships

Mayor Brandon Scott - Room AB

Council President Zeke Cohen - Room AB

Panel facilitated by Anthony Medina - Room AB

Presenter - Veena Thamilselvan - Room AB 10:15am - 10:25am

Break

10:25am - 11:10am

Concurrent Sessions Round 1

11:15am - 12:00pm

Concurrent Sessions Round 2

Breakout Rooms - See Details Below

Breakout Rooms - See Details Below

Building Awareness & Access

12:10pm - 12:55pm

LUNCH

12:55pm - 1:10pm

Heart Stories Initiative

1:10pm - 1:55pm

Percy Smith & Donald Young

The Power of Partnership Camille Burke | Baltimore City Health Department

1:55pm - 2:55pm

Marketplace of Ideas - Networking

2:55pm - 3:40pm

Large Group Debrief

3:40pm - 3:50pm

Closing Address

3:50pm - 4:00pm

Closing Keynote

Payam Sheikhattari | Morgan State University

Eliza Cooper|Thriving Communities Collaborative

Councilman James Torrence | District 7

Baltimore CONNECT

Hosts & Honored Guests Welcome Address

Patricia Barger Executive Director Baltimore CONNECT, Inc.

Dr. Albert Wu President Baltimore CONNECT, Inc. Dr. Wu is the Fred and Juliet Soper Professor at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and a renowned healthcare expert with BA and MD degrees from Cornell. His commitment to advancing healthcare equity is reflected in his clinical practice and community initiatives.

Mrs. Patricia, a Baltimore native, has served the city for 46 years with commitment. She holds degrees in Mental Health and Business Administration, currently pursuing a Doctorate. As the new Executive Director, she leads with experience in developing group homes, support groups, foster parent training, and more.

Honored Guest Addresses

Brandon M. Scott Mayor of Baltimore City

Zeke Cohen Baltimore City Council President

Brandon M. Scott serves as the 52nd Mayor of Baltimore and the youngest person to hold the position in over a century.

Mayor Scott is committed to ending gun violence, investing in our youth, restoring the public’s trust in government, and creating a better and more equitable Baltimore for all.

Zeke Cohen, Baltimore City Council President, whose motto is “community comes first.” A former teacher in West Baltimore and founder of The Intersection, Zeke has dedicated his career to empowering youth and advancing civic leadership. He previously served the 1st District and holds a Master’s in Public Policy from Johns Hopkins University.

James Torrence Baltimore City Council District 7 James believes systemic change can only be achieved when principled leaders engage in collaborative problem-solving approaches that empower communities and protect our vulnerable neighbors. As councilman for the 7th District, he will do just that.

Presenters

Cyd Lacanieta

Veena Thamilselvan

Eliza Cooper

Caryn Dayhoff

Jason Nuñez

Tsion Gebre

Prajna Vinod Karki

Hiwotie Mesfin

Joann Bodurtha

Harold Diggs

Brandon Clayton

Dave Brown

Keiona Gorham

Ahamad Abdullah

Erick Vicks

Letta Grant

Leslie McNeil

Donald Young

Percy Smith

Camille Burke

Payam Sheikhattari

Anthony Medina

*In order of appearance on schedule.

PROGRAM Large Room Sessions 8:55am - 9:05am Welcome Address from Baltimore CONNECT, Inc. - Room AB Dr. Albert Wu, President & Ms. Patricia Barger Baltimore CONNECT, Inc. - Room AB

9:05am - 9:20am Opening Address - Room AB Mayor Brandon Scott

9:20am - 9:30am Special Remarks - Room AB Council President Zeke Cohen

9:30am - 10:05am Panel Discussion: Partnering with Anchor Institutions - Room AB Moderator: Anthony Medina, Community Organizer, HEBCAC.

Panelists: Bill Joyner, Assistant Vice President for Community Engagement, University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB). Payam Sheikhattari, MD, MPH, Professor, School of Community Health and Policy, Morgan State University, Cyd Lacanienta, MSW, Associate Director of Stakeholder Engagement, Community and Collaboration Core ICTR at JHU This panel brings together leaders from Baltimore-based anchor institutions to explore their critical role in advancing equitable, community-centered impact. Panelists will share examples of innovative partnerships, community investments, workforce development initiatives, and place-based strategies that demonstrate how anchor institutions can leverage their resources and influence for long-term, shared prosperity. The conversation will also address the challenges of balancing institutional priorities with authentic community engagement, accountability, and equitable impact.

10:05am-10:15am Special Presentation: Drivers of Success in Community-Based Partnerships - Room AB Veena Thamilselvan, Program Administrator, Baltimore CONNECT, Inc. This special presentation presents a case study on community-driven partnerships, focusing on the Baltimore CONNECT (BC) network of community based organizations (CBOs) and its collaborative efforts with a Community-Engaged Research (CEnR) team, the Johns Hopkins Institute for Clinical and Translational Research (ICTR) based in Baltimore, Maryland. The presentation outlines the drivers of success for this partnership in order to develop best practices.

PROGRAM Concurrent Sessions - Breakout Rooms Round 1 10:25am-11:10am Developing Community Anchors - Room A

Eliza Cooper, Director, Thriving Communities Collaborative It takes strategic and intentional planning to engage community. Developing Community Anchors is a way of creating sustainability for families, their communities and programs or organizations. The presentation will feature Eliza Cooper, a Community Anchor who will tell her story of shared leadership and how volunteering, collaborations and partnerships helped her become a Community Anchor/Leader/Activist.

Participants will be asked to share what is working and what needs improvement in their communities.

They will also be asked to create an action step they can for growth and development.

Steps to Success - Room B

Caryn Dayhoff, Senior Youth Services Coordinator, Asylee Women Enterprise (AWE) Jason Nuñez, Youth Services Assistant, Asylee Women Enterprise (AWE) This session will highlight the Steps to Success Program, a program of Asylee Women Enterprises that provides youth foreign-born trafficking survivors with activities, events, and therapeutic services that provide enrichment and social connection. A critical part of the program that will be highlighted is the youth advisory board where participants lead the planning, implementation, and improvement of the program.

Family Health History – Toward Wellness and Understanding – Talk it up, Write it down, Pass it on - Room CR1 Joann Bodurtha, MD, MPH, Professor, Johns Hopkins University School of Public Health Tsion Gebre, Student, Johns Hopkins University School of Public Health Prajna Karki, Student, Johns Hopkins University School of Public Health Hiwotie Mesfin, Student, Johns Hopkins University School of Public Health

This interactive workshop will include reflection on the causes of health conditions in their families, suggestions for enhanced discussions in families and with providers about genetic questions and sharing of practical resources and tools. We will use 3 examples across the lifespan – hard of hearing, breast cancer, and sickle cell to share information about newborn screening, the interaction of environmental and genetic factors, genetic testing, and novel resources.

PROGRAM Concurrent Sessions - Breakout Rooms Young Successful Leaders Inc. Financial Literacy- Room CR2

Harold Diggs, Executive Leader, Young Successful Leaders Inc. (YSLI) Brandon Clayton, Executive Director, Young Successful Leaders Inc. (YSLI) Young Successful Leaders Inc. Financial Literacy workshop will focus on building strong money management skills. The workshop will cover key topics such as distinguishing needs vs. wants, understanding the 50/20/30 budgeting rule, and creating a realistic household budget. Participants will also learn how to set and achieve personal financial goals. This session aims to empower individuals with practical tools for long-term financial success.

Round 2 11:15am-12:00pm The Power of Community to Create (Mental) Health - Room A Dave Brown, MS, Executive Director, Echo Resource Development and Behavioral Health Trainer Mental health is not solely an individual concern but a collective responsibility. This conversation explores how the interplay between self-impact—personal actions, self-care, and resilience—and collective impact—community engagement, shared resources, and social support—creates a powerful framework for promoting mental well-being at the community level. By the end of this session, attendees will gain a deeper understanding of how their personal power and actions contribute to broader mental health initiatives and how they can engage in collective efforts to foster a mentally healthy society.

NextGen Leaders: Transforming Baltimore Through Youth Power & Anti Racist Action - Room B Keiona Gorham, CEO & Founder, The Beauty For Ashes (BFA) Institute Ahmad Abdullah, Brand Development & Communications Strategist, The Beauty For Ashes (BFA) Institute This presentation highlights an innovative approach to youth leadership development that positions young people as primary architects of program design, implementation, and evaluation in Baltimore's community initiatives. By integrating antiracist principles and liberation-based practices throughout the development process, the program aims to create sustainable change while building the next generation of civic leaders who understand how to identify and dismantle systemic barriers in professional spaces.

Through this workshop, participants will gain practical experience implementing antiracist organizational practices through hands-on leadership roles and decision-making opportunities.

PROGRAM Concurrent Sessions - Breakout Rooms Fighting Kidney Disease - Room CR1

Eric Vicks, Director of Patient Advocacy, The American Kidney Fund The American Kidney Fund (AKF) plays a pivotal role in the fight against kidney disease, serving as a vital resource for patients, families, and healthcare professionals. This presentation will provide an in-depth overview of the AKF's comprehensive services and resources aimed at improving the lives of individuals impacted by kidney disease.

Modern Smoking - Room CR2

Letta Grant, Community Health Educator, Baltimore City Health Department (BCHD) Leslie Mcneil, Community Health Educator, Baltimore City Health Department (BCHD) This interactive session will invite participants to learn more about the effects of Hookah, Vapes, and other Tobacco products in our communities. The image of smoking has changed from just cigarettes to other methods and has enticed a younger generation of smokers that feel like this evolution is not as harmful. This session helps to educate and dispel myths about Modern Smoking.

12:10pm-12:55pm - Lunch

Large Room Sessions 12:55pm-1:10pm Special Presentation: Heart Stories Initiative Percy Smith, Nuwave Health Services and Donald Young, Your Favorite Community Health Worker Community Health Worker Manager, Druid Hill Y "Heart Stories" capture the real experiences of individuals and communities who embody resilience, compassion, and collaboration. These stories highlight the impact of grassroots efforts, celebrate personal triumphs over adversity, and illustrate how connection and partnership create lasting positive change. By sharing Heart Stories, we honor the everyday heroes whose journeys inspire hope, action, and a stronger sense of community.

1:10pm-1:55pm Panel Discussion: The Power of Partnership Moderator: Camille Burke, Assistant Commissioner of Health Promotion and Education, Baltimore City Health Department (BCHD) Panelists: Katherine Taylor MPH Program Director Lead Hazard Reduction Program, Department of Housing and Community Development

PROGRAM Large Room Sessions This panel brings together leaders from Baltimore City’s most impactful community health systems to explore the transformative power of collaboration in addressing city wide health disparities. Panelists will share how strategic partnerships between city agencies strengthen service delivery, expand access to care, and build more resilient health ecosystems throughout the city. Attendees gain a deeper understanding of the unique strengths each agency contributes, and how these partnerships are actively reshaping what’s possible for public health in Baltimore.

1:55pm-2:55pm Marketplace of Ideas Networking Session

Moderators: Payam Sheikhattari, Professor of Public Health, Morgan State University Anthony Medina, Community Organizer, Historic East Baltimore Community Action Coalition (HEBCAC) The Marketplace of Ideas is a dynamic, interactive session designed to spark collaboration and innovation around community engagement and health care access. Participants will showcase their ideas at themed stations using posters, visuals, or brief pitches—inviting others to explore, exchange feedback, and connect. This session is both a networking opportunity and a launchpad for action: the most compelling ideas will form the basis for ongoing working groups supported by Baltimore CONNECT beyond the conference. Come ready to listen, share, and build lasting solutions together.

2:55pm-3:40pm Large Group Debrief

Moderator: Eliza Cooper, Director, Thriving Communities Collaborative This closing session offers a space for shared reflection, connection, and next steps. Through guided movement, mindfulness, and small group conversations, participants will unpack the day’s insights, explore remaining gaps, and envision practical ways to carry forward what they’ve learned. Together, we’ll surface “aha” moments, identify opportunities for collaboration, and ground the day’s experiences in personal and institutional action. The session closes with a chance to connect more deeply with Baltimore CONNECT and explore ways to stay engaged beyond the conference.

3:40pm - 3:50pm Closing Address - Room AB

Councilman James Torrence - District 7

3:50pm - 4:00pm Closing Remarks from Baltimore CONNECT, Inc. - Room AB

Donation service provider

Empowering Baltimore Through Partnership and Collaboration The Decision Project® empowers marginalized and underserved communities by promoting educated and inspired decisions about organ, eye, and tissue donation. We invite healthcare professionals, advocates, policymakers, and individuals committed to positively impacting healthcare to join us in making a difference.

Together We Can Make a Change: Help close the donation gap Encourage others to register as organ, eye and tissue donors and help save lives. Your decision to donate can make all the difference.

Learn more at thedecisionproject.org.

did you know?

In Maryland, 2,160 people of color are waiting for a life-saving transplant, while only 423 deceased organ donors were people of color?

Building a community of caring—together.

When companies team up for the greater good, incredible things can happen. CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield and Baltimore Connect are partnering to build stronger, healthier communities.

Health Insurance & Wellness Services

Planning Committee

Chevelle Bash, Chair Baltimore CONNECT, Inc.

Anthony Medina, Co-Chair HEBCAC

Patricia Barger Baltimore CONNECT, Inc.

Elyce Bloomfield Baltimore CONNECT, Inc.

Antoinette Brown Our Daily Bread

Dave Brown ECHO

Camille Burke BCHD

Eliza Cooper

Janice Gentry Baltimore CONNECT, Inc.

Minli Guo Baltimore CONNECT, Inc.

Emily Kumpf Baltimore CONNECT, Inc.

Cyd Lacanienta Johns Hopkins ICTR

Philip Leaf We Our Us

Leon Purnell Men and Families Center

Payam Sheikhattari Morgan CARES

Baltimore CONNECT, Inc. extends our heartfelt gratitude to all of our generous sponsors who made the 2025 Baltimore CONNECT Community Conference possible.

Your support reflects a shared commitment to building stronger, healthier, and more connected communities throughout Baltimore.

Thanks to your partnership, we are able to provide a space where community members, organizations, and leaders can come together to learn, share, and inspire change.

With sincere appreciation, The Baltimore CONNECT Team

More information at www.bmoreconnectinc.org