The Howard County Arts Council, a multi-purpose non-profit arts agency, seeks a self-directed, outgoing individual for an entry to mid-level Visitor & Facilities Services position in a small, fast-paced office environment.
]]>American Studies Prof. Nicole King has been working for years with Poppleton residents in efforts to save the historic black neighborhood of Poppleton from city and developer efforts to displace residents. King was recently awarded the Owner's Council of America Crystal Eagle Award alongside Poppleton Resident, Sonia Eaddy, for their work.
On Monday, Feb. 13th, residents of Baltimore's Poppleton neighborhood and Economic Action Maryland, along with Prof. Nicole King, gathered to announce an administrative complaint with HUD (US Department of Housing and Urban Development) against Baltimore City, Mayor Brandon Scott, and the City Council for consistent violations of the Fair Housing Act.
The full complaint can be found here: https://econaction.org/in-the-news/poppleton-housing-complaint/
Press coverage:
Giacomo Bologna, Former residents of Black neighborhood want feds to investigate displacement in Baltimore, Baltimore Sun, February 13, 2023. Link to view in UMBC Proquest.
Hallie Miller and Sophie Kasakove, Former Poppleton resident, nonprofit allege Fair Housing Act violations in federal complaint, Baltimore Banner, February 13, 2023.
Melody Simmons, Poppleton residents, activists file federal unfair housing complaint against city, Baltimore Business Journal, February 13, 2023
Wambui Kamau, Kristen Mosbrucker, Baltimore Poppleton residents attorneys' file Fair Housing Act complaint against city with HUD, WYPR, February 13, 2023.
Barry Simms, Poppleton residents file complaint, citing Fair Housing Act violations, WBAL, February 13, 2023.
Brittney Verner, Poppleton residents file complaint after their community hasn't improved, WMAR, February 13, 2023.
Robert Lang, Poppleton residents file complaint against city, citing Fair Housing Act violations, WBALNewRadio, February 13, 2023.
Congratulations to Professor Nicole King and Sonia Eaddy!
For 2023, the Crystal Eagle was awarded jointly to two extraordinary women. Sonia Eaddy is a homeowner, resident of west Baltimore, and community activist and Nicole King is an Associate Professor at the University of Maryland in Baltimore County. The award commemorates their efforts to save the historic black neighborhood of Poppleton from being destroyed and replaced by an ill-conceived, poorly planned, and largely failed urban renewal project. Although this project came into existence nearly 50 years ago, and resulted in the destruction of over 500 private properties, very little redevelopment has taken place. Meanwhile, the neighborhood of Poppleton has been left to suffer the loss of its' homes, shops, and businesses.
But instead of giving up, the residents have fought back. Led by determined Sonia Eaddy and Professor Nicole King (whose knowledge and research of the disastrous impact that urban renewal has had on black and brown communities, particularly in Baltimore, proved invaluable in changing hearts and minds) they have now convinced city officials to withdraw the eminent domain taking of Sonia Eaddy's home and several historic town homes. But these two remarkable women are not done fighting. They understand that the movement they started is far bigger than any one or two people. They intend to continue their grassroots community effort to force the City to consider the needs and desires of all stakeholders in any redevelopment that should take place, but particularly the residents of Poppleton.
