Baltimore’s youth development community continued to build momentum through the gather! Series with two powerful convenings in February and March, each designed to uplift and center the voices of underrepresented leaders. These evenings created spaces for relationship-building, restoration, and reflection among changemakers committed to Baltimore’s future. Connection was the primary focus of this event; community leaders discussed their needs and how each of them (and their young people) can participate in building Baltimore’s own Youth Master Plan.
gather! February: LGBTQ+ Leaders in Youth Development
Held on February 19, gather! February welcomed LGBTQ+ youth development leaders and allies for an evening of community, collaboration, and empowerment. The evening featured networking, roundtables, and dinner all designed to deepen partnerships and further elevate Baltimore’s youth ecosystem through thoughtful strategies.
Attendees shared insights, exchanged strategies, and created new bridges across organizations. The atmosphere was inclusive and celebratory, ensuring every voice at the table was heard and valued.
Key takeaways included:
- The importance of representation in youth-serving spaces and the need for LGBTQ+ youth to see themselves reflected in leadership.
- How cross-sector partnerships, such as developing a youth master plan for Baltimore, can amplify impact and build safer, more supportive environments for queer youth.
- Why healing-centered spaces like gather! are essential for strengthening leadership and building strategies from within communities often overlooked or marginalized.
As Baltimore continues shaping its Youth Master Plan, events like gather! ensure LGBTQ+ voices are not only included but prioritized in designing systems that serve all young people.
gather! March: Black Women Leading the Way
On March 19, gather! March convened Black women leaders across Baltimore’s youth development ecosystem. This elegant, intimate gathering fostered authentic dialogue and deep connection, emphasizing self-care, collective leadership, and collaboration.
In a space filled with wisdom, joy, and healing, Black women leaders discussed both the challenges and the beauty of leading programs that pour into Baltimore’s youth. The evening reminded attendees not only of their strength, but also of the importance of restoration.
Key takeaways included:
- The profound value of centering community voices, particularly youth voices, in all levels of decision-making.
- How we can develop new ideas for partnerships that honor cultural identity, address the root causes of trauma, and build sustainable support systems for our youth.
- The strong emphasis on collaboration over competition, something our sector greatly needs as we navigate funding limitations and systemic barriers.
Collaboration over competition has been key to the development of Baltimore’s Youth Master Plan. BCYF has built a strong relationship with their counterparts in New Orleans, and through learnings from the creators of the New Orleans’ Youth Master Plan — the nation’s go-to model for youth advocacy — BCYF has been able to work with other local youth leaders to champion a much needed strategy to support Baltimore’s young people.
“I believe the gather! events have laid a vital foundation for building a collective Youth Master Plan for Baltimore, one that is rooted in lived experience, radical imagination, and community care.” explained Saran Fossett, Executive Director and Chief Changemaker at AZIZA PE&CE who attended both the February and March gather! events, “At AZIZA PE&CE, we believe our youth deserve more than just programs; they deserve policy, infrastructure, and leadership that truly reflect their worth and brilliance. I am so grateful to BCYF for creating this space for reflection, reconnection, and action. I left with a renewed sense of purpose and I am proud to be part of this growing movement for youth and community transformation.”
Looking Ahead: From Mentorship to Partnership
Up next, gather! May will focus on building collaboration among Baltimore’s youth development leaders through resource-sharing, peer coaching, and networking. On May 21, attendees will exchange program materials, engage in meaningful discussions over dinner, and brainstorm actionable next steps that can be incorporated into Baltimore’s Youth Master Plan.
The gather! Series continues to offer curated, small-group convenings that prioritize deeper conversations, authentic engagement, and lasting connections among grantees, community leaders, and changemakers. With each month, the vision for a stronger, more united youth development ecosystem grows clearer—and more powerful.
How You Can Get Involved
🌈 Support LGBTQ+ and Black women-led youth development organizations in your community
🧘🏾♀️ Make space for self-care in your leadership journey
🤝 Support collaborative, equity-driven initiatives in Baltimore
Let’s keep gathering, growing, and grounding our work in community.
