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We often think of firefighters putting out fires, risking their lives entering burning buildings to save people, and responding to life-threatening emergencies. People don’t often consider that firefighters are also called upon by elderly, ill, and disabled people to assist with smaller emergencies when they have no one else to turn to.

Mark Reed was living in Washington, DC in 2017 when he discovered the tremendous untapped potential of investing in Baltimore. He had been investing in real estate in Los Angeles and Washington, DC for nineteen years, and became interested in Baltimore while visiting his girlfriend in East Baltimore.

Katie Beltz and her husband, Emanuel Figueroa, have always dreamed of opening their own bookstore. When they came across a vacant storefront in the Hamilton-Lauraville neighborhood of Northeast Baltimore, they decided it was time to make their dream come true.

Mayson-Dixon Companies is a firm based in Baltimore that undoubtedly exemplifies the expression, “A lot can happen in six years.” Founded in 2015 as MD Strategic Consulting, it has since grown into an MBE-certified community development and advocacy firm that can build, supply, engage, manage, and invest in any type of project.

If you’re like a lot of people, just the thought of being at the airport may induce feelings of anxiety. But one visit to Fashion Spa House at BWI Airport will leave you feeling uplifted with a smile on your face. It’s not just a clothing and skincare store; it’s a specialty retail experience created and curated by the owner, Cynthia Rumph, for the stylish self-care enthusiast.

Getting quality beauty supplies hasn’t always been easy for Dinee Russell, a long-time resident of the Hampden neighborhood of Baltimore City. She frequently had to travel to big box stores outside of the city to buy shampoo, conditioner, edge control, and other products formulated for her hair texture. And some of those stores don’t carry specialty items such as braiding hair, human hair, and wigs. Dinee is not alone; many Black and Latinx women live in neighborhoods in which these beauty supplies are hard to come by.

Being immersed in the trade from an early age led Alex to become the founder and CEO of his own Baltimore-based real estate firm, Blank Slate, which provides construction, development, and management services.

The BUILD members and church leaders resolved to eliminate the blight in Oliver and its surrounding neighborhoods by acquiring and rehabilitating vacant properties, eventually partnering with the Reinvestment Fund to form RF Development Partners.

A little over three months ago, Baltimore Community Lending awarded COVID-19 relief grants to 30 small businesses in Baltimore City.