WHAT COMES NEXT?

6 Black leaders share their hopes for Baltimore’s future

As people across Baltimore protest racial injustice, The Baltimore Sun asked leaders in the Black community what changes they hope will result from the protests.

Caprece Ann Jackson, influencer

Caprece Ann Jackson is a social media influencer who serves as a liaison between up-andcoming artists and larger brands. In the past few years, she’s been working particularly with sustainable designers.

“Baltimore’s underground talent is extraordinary,” Jackson said. “The arts community should be tapped more. Right now, creativity and fresh ideas are rippling underground in every genre of fine arts … you don’t see it when you come to the city, but you gravitate towards its waves of energy.

“To move Baltimore forward, we need to embrace this new energy and realize its full potential. As a city, this new generation of artists are going to be responsible for raising the bar.

“Baltimore is an artist hub. Shops have closed and now we have mobile emergence. We have to adjust to the virtual way of the world. I’ve seen artists come together collectively on small batch manufacturing. I wonder what that would look like if they were given the proper investment and support. I think it would create a fresh stream of revenue, generating new opportunities.”

Daniel Futrell, community organizer

Daniel Futrell graduated this spring from Baltimore City College High School. During his four years in high school, he dealt with the loss of two grandparents and his older step-brother who was murdered. He kept those emotions

ULYSSES MUÑOZ/BALTIMORE SUN Activist Kwame Rose marched alongside Baltimore protesters in the wake of George Floyd’s death. He encouraged protesters to advocate for change peacefully.

KENNETH K. LAM/BALTIMORE SUN Daniel Futrell, a 2020 graduate of Baltimore City College High School, has turned the suppressed emotions stemming from his own trauma and that of his classmates into activism.

KENNETH K. LAM/BALTIMORE SUN Caprece Ann Jackson is a self-described sustainable fashion curator and social media influencer. She believes Baltimore’s arts community has the creative energy to move the city forward.