2024 BLACK MARYLANDERS TO WATCH
25 people uplifting their communities, plus 5 Living Legends
Much like the Orioles last year, artist SHAN Wallace had the city behind her for the unveiling of her new Orioles stadium mural in May.
“I’ve received so much love and encouragement around it,” Wallace said.
Over the summer, the East Baltimorean — whose work has appeared in the Baltimore Museum of Art and in exhibits across the country — concluded her stint as the Enoch Pratt Free Library’s inaugural artist-in-residence.
She kicked off 2024 teaching a teen photography class at the Walters Art Museum; creating a large piece for the National Museum of Women in the Arts in Washington, where she’ll be featured in this year’s “Women to Watch” exhibit; and pushing forward on “Glory Days,” a documentary that she said captures her experience as a partygoer in Baltimore’s LGBTQ+ nightlife scene.
“The gay scene really raised me,” Wallace said. “I wouldn’t be who I am without gay nightlife in Baltimore, which at one point was just so vivid, and so active and so lively.”
The Baltimore Sun celebrates Black History Month by honoring a wide range of notables who are working to improve the lives, health, education and experiences of all residents. The third annual 25 Black Marylanders to Watch includes activists and artists, CEOs and presidents, venture startups and adventurous restaurateurs.
The names were chosen by The Sun’s editors and reporters, who cover these topics and communities and see the progress these honorees are making in their fields. In addition, we honor five Living Legends, who continue to give back while still leading in their own ways. The entire list is available online at baltimoresun.com, and each Sunday newspaper in February will feature a selection of the honorees.