Stories to Share
BAAM to Host Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for New Academic Center
Building African American Minds (BAAM), Inc. is thrilled to announce the official ribbon cutting ceremony for its new Academic Center, a state-of-the-art facility designed to enhance learning, creativity, and community engagement for youth and families. The ceremony will take place on Saturday, December 14, 2024, at 10 a.m.
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Making An Impact
By creating a safe, accepting community culture that promotes success in school and life, Building African American Minds, Inc. (BAAM) is moving the needle against historically low odds. BAAM’s mission is to close the gap of academic lag that statistically occurs among minority students and only increases as they progress to high school. Offering intervention in early, formative years can mitigate risk for failure. “We aim to recognize and address socioeconomic barriers that inhibit minority students’ ability to learn effectively and provide academic enrichment in a safe, caring and structured environment,” says Dina Gomes Daly, BAAM’s co-founder and executive director.
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BAAM Voted Coastal Style Magazine's Best Your Organization
By creating a space, accepting community culture that promotes success in school and life, Building African American Minds, Inc. (BAAM) is moving the needle again historically low odds. BAAM's mission is to close the gap of academic lag that statistically occurs among minority students and only increases as they progress to high school. Offering intervention early, formative years can mitigate risk for failure. (Featured continues on page 110.)
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Mosaic Artist Unites Community Around BAAM Mosaic
According to the mission of Empact Art, art has the power to break down barriers and catalyze unity, healing, and social progress. Artist Ali Mirsky, who is coordinating the mosaic that will be placed in the library of the new Building African American Minds (BAAM) Academic Center in Easton, founded Empact Art with C.G. Duffy, to inspire, connect, and empower individuals and communities through the transformative power of art. Her journey has led her to Easton where she is sharing her talents and resources to help to build a more inclusive community – a goal she is taking worldwide.
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BAAM Celebrates new Soccer Field and 20 Years
Not only did Building African American Minds mark 20 years of service Saturday, but the organization also celebrated the creation of a great space where children can play. BAAM has refurbished a soccer field for children with new Bermuda grass. They had a ribbon cutting to open the new field near Moton Park on May 11. Located in Easton, the nonprofit provides scholarships, afterschool programing, summer camp, and more to empower at-risk youth in the community.
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Building African American Minds Hosts Second Annual Career Expo April 20
Businesses and individuals looking to connect careers with applicants are invited to participate in the 2024 Career Expo on Saturday, April 20 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the BAAM Athletic Center in Easton. Building African American Minds (BAAM) is hosting the event with its partners for the second year as it works to develop more workforce development offerings.
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Van Hollen, Cardin Announce Over $30M in Direct Investments for Eastern Shore in Senate-Passed FY24 Funding Package
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen, a member of the Appropriations Committee, and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.) announced $32,537,200 in direct federal funding for local projects across the Eastern Shore, including the BAAM Academic Center.
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Maryland Representatives Break Ground with BAAM
DHCD Secretary @jacobrday joined State Senator Johnny Mautz, Easton Mayor Bob Willey, several members of the Talbot County Council and community members on Saturday to break ground on a new academic center for Building African American Minds...
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BAAM Celebrates Groundbreaking
May 13, 2023, EASTON, MD — Local officials, planning and construction partners and the leadership of Building African American Minds broke ground Saturday for BAAM’s new academic center. BAAM leaders were joined by Department of Housing and Community Development Secretary Jake Day, Sen. Johnny Mautz, R-37, Easton Mayor Bob Willey
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Building African-American Minds by Building an Academic Center
Since Building African American Minds (BAAM) opened its doors to the Easton community, the organization’s founders, Derek and Dina Daly, and its board directors have taken on several significant projects that would test any new organization. From establishing a campus on Jowite Street, adding classroom space, and, more recently, completely funding the gymnasium, BAAM has proven its tenacity in getting things done...
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Talbot entrepreneurs meet at BAAM
EASTON — Perhaps you have a great idea for a business. How do you launch it, fund it and market it?...
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Students in the Building African American Minds program recite the BAAM pledge
Students in the Building African American Minds (BAAM) program recite the BAAM Pledge during the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration...
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Moore visits locals, important institutions in Easton
EASTON — A trim and high-energy Governor-elect Wes Moore came to Easton on Monday, Jan. 9, and visited two of the Black community’s important institutions in town. He started at the BAAM (Building African American Minds) center on Jowite Street and...
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$1 Million In Funding For New BAAM Facility
EASTON, Md. - $1 million of federal funding will go towards a new facility for the Building African American Minds (BAAM) organization. The children's center, adjacent to BAAM's current facility, will be torn down. BAAM's new facility will then build from the ground up in the old centers place. The three-story facility will feed young minds and bodies alike...
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A building for building minds
EASTON — Easton community group Building African American Minds recently received approval for more than a million dollars in bond bills to fund the construction of a new academic building...
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BAAM Fall 2022 Newsletter
Updates on academic programming, community support, and the new BAAM class! Read more to also find updates regarding our summer program!
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BAAM Summer 2022 Newsletter
Follow along with the progress BAAM has made over the summer. Stories on the new academic building, updates on the after school programs, scholarship recipients, and more!
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BAAM hires superintendent finalist to lead academic programs
James Bell will join Building African-American Minds Inc. as the new director of instruction, academic support and community wellness. Bell was recently named a finalist for superintendent of Talbot County Public Schools and will focus on developing instructional and social-emotional support programs for students and adults.
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‘Building African American Minds’ receives ‘Helping People Award’
For 10 years, the William Donald Schaefer Helping People Award honors good work being done in the community. Monday afternoon, Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot presented that prize to the 2021 recipient Derrick Day with Building African African Minds.
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Profiles in Philanthropy: The “Come Here” Impact with Bill Ryan
For close to four centuries, the Mid-Shore has debated the pros and cons of “Come Heres” by the “From Heres.” Harking back to when white settlers were starting to arrive in Maryland in the 1600s, there has been a longstanding caution by those born in the five-county region to outsiders moving into their communities…
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A Big Deal: County Announces Community Impact Award Winners
The list of 2020 Community Impact Award winners includes the BAAM Athletic Center, Town Center St. Michaels, Waterfowl Festival, and The Society of St. Vincent de Paul. Marla and Harold Baines won the individual award category…
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BAAM Athletic Center – Shaping the Future
The opening of the Building African American Minds Athletic Center at 31 Jowite Street in December 2019 was a dream come true for BAAM founders Dina and Derick Daly…
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2021 Caliber Award Winners
The Caliber Awards is an annual event honoring the work of local organizations and individuals for their contributions to the public behavioral health system in the mid-shore region. Four (4) main awards are presented, including: Achieving Excellence through Effective Programming, Achieving Excellence through the Empowerment of Consumers, Achieving Excellence through Interagency and Community Collaboration, and Lifetime Achievement. Special Recognitions are also awarded
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