Over the last couple weeks, WYPR’s On the Record with Sheilah Kast has continued its series of interviews with the new cohort of OSI-Baltimore Community Fellows.
On December 26th, host Sheilah Kast interviewed Eric Sorrell and Christopher Johnson. Listen to the full episode here.
Sorrell will establish Fernway Outdoors, using outdoor adventures to encourage young people to grow by facing challenging new environments, applying new skills, and experiencing the joys of nature.
Johnson will use art as a tool of engagement and social-emotional development, establishing Gentleman’s Graffiti as a safe, nurturing, collaborative space for vulnerable black male youth ages 10 to 16 to engage in leadership development opportunities.
On December 29th, Kast interviewed Michael Rosenband and Anthony Roberts. Listen to the full episode here.
Rosenband will work in partnership with Carver Vocational Technical High School to establish The Carver House as a work-based learning initiative designed to bridge gaps between vocational education and career opportunities by teaching green-building skills and placing students in energy-efficient construction fields.
Roberts will work with nationally certified trainers and employer partners to establish Registered Apprenticeship Sponsor, where underemployed residents will be trained through a pre-apprenticeship and placed into high-wage elevator repair careers.
On December, 8th, Kast interviewed Alanna Taylor and Bria Evans. Listen to the full episode here.
Taylor will establish the Bronze Girl Collective to provide mental and physical health, housing, food security, career and financial stability, and educational and cultural enrichment resources to vulnerable Black women over age 40.
Evans will provide critical resources to the homeless by establishing Fresh Start Mobile Services, providing hot meals and showers to homeless camps throughout the city.
On November 22nd, Kast interviewed Devan Southerland and Anisah Best. Listen to the full episode here.
Southerland will establish Brown on the Spectrum (BOTS), a community focused, person centered, vocational and employment resource for individuals with autism and other intellectual disabilities.
Best will establish the ED x Tech Literacy Training Project to give older members of underserved communities greater access to educational technology resources that increase digital literacy.
On November 2nd, Kast interviewed OSI-Baltimore Director Danielle Torain and OSI’s Community Fellowships Director Pamela King about the new cohort and talked to one of the new Fellows, Jessica Smith. Listen to the full episode here.
Smith (Lois Blum Feinblatt Mental Health OSI-Baltimore Community Fellow) will work in partnership with the Mental Health Emergency Fund to establish the Mindful Ministries Collective to equip youth-serving organization leaders with mindfulness strategies to support mental health wellness.
Stay tuned to WYPR for interviews with other Fellows in the coming days.
