Linda Grace Morris: Baltimore Boomer Tales from the Hood
Baltimore was the place to be in the 1950s and 1960s, bustling with all the industry and social change about to come. For African Americans, it was a jobs magnet with all the major manufacturers. Those living in Turner Station and Sparrows Point, the company town built to host the Bethlehem Steel Company, had the highest per capita income for African Americans in the nation. Cherry Hill, the only planned community built for African Americans by the Federal Government, lifted many Baltimore Boomers into the middle class. This podcast walks down memory lane through the neighborhoods and good times--despite segregation--that...
Dr. Tahira Chloe Madhi: Hollywood Here We Come!
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I can imagine Tahira being a little girl doing everything, everywhere, all at once. She exudes that kind of energy and a love for life that will take her far. She has already come a long way as an author, screenwriter, and movie maker. Tahira is about to debut her movie, "Caught Out There", a romantic comedy, at the Parkway Theater at North Avenue and Charles Street, on Thursday, November 12, at 7 p.m. What makes Tahira tick? Hear her in her own words.
Make every moment count! E-mail me at Lindagracemorris...
Charles McCoy and the Making of His Limousine Service
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Who knew that an experience at a Glen Burnie car dealership in 1971 when Charles McCoy was 13 would lead him on his entrepreneurial journey to Mr. Charles Limousine Service. One day when his mother and father went to this dealership, one of the salesmen showed Charles a Rolls-Royce limo on the lot and let him sit in it. The salesman even talked money with Charles telling him how much the limo cost and what monthly payments would be. That experience inside that limousine was the start of a self-fulfilling prophecy for young Charles. Fast...
James Adam Dow: Balsa Super Sonic Member and Music Man
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When I tell you that early Cherry Hill children were kept busy, that is no understatement. The Community Building, the churches, and the schools had more than enough activities to keep our minds from being idle. For James Adam Dow, that meant building and flying model airplanes and mastering the tenor saxophone. To this day, at 85, he continues to be involved in both. He currently has ambitions of building a remote racing car league for young people of all races and ethnicities called On the Right Track Racing. If you are interested in...
Demetrius Washington, Sr.--Or Should We Call Him Old McDonald?
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Demetrius Washington had a farm . . . . However, before he had a farm, he was a member of the Balsa Super Sonics model airplane club. Demetrius also spent 34 years driving buses for Baltimore's Mass Transit Administration. And now, he is a turkey farmer. You have got to hear his story!
Make every moment count! E-mail me at [email protected] and tell me in 25 words or less why I should interview you.
John Balsom's Quest: Capturing the Contributions of WWII African American Veterans in Europe
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John Balsom is a British photographer I met at the July Montford Point Marine Convention in Baltimore. He and his camera showed up at the ceremony awarding Montford Point Marine families with the Congressional Gold Medal, authorized by President Barack Obama in 2012, their loved ones earned as the first African American men who trained to integrate the United States Marine Corps. Most of these men served in the European and Pacific theaters during WWII, and John was unaware that African Americans served in Europe for the war. He is now trying to make...
The Balsa Super Sonics: Cherry Hill's Award-Winning Model Airplane Club circa 1958
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What do you get when you come together with a retired fireman, a retired bank examiner, a retired FBI agent, a retired Baltimore City Public School administrator, and a retired MTA bus driver who is currently operating a 102-acre turkey farm in Charlottesville, Virginia? Give up? You get great memories from some of the charter members of the Balsa Super Sonics Model Airplane Club. This club, consisting of African American teenagers from Cherry Hill, formed in 1958 and competed against white clubs--virtually unheard of at the time. Hear some great stories of the brotherhood...
O'Neal Johnson, Jr.: Retired Sergeant Major, USMC, President National Montford Point Marine Association, Inc., Baltimore, MD Chapter#17
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When the United States Marine Corps promoted the recruiting slogan, "The Few. The Proud. The Marines." in 1977, they had no idea it would attract a young, indecisive, African American male in 1981 who would commit his post-retirement life to the Corps. Fast-forward 45 years, and anyone can see that Retired Sgt. Major O'Neal Johnson, Jr., Baltimore Chapter President of the National Montford Point Marine Association, Inc. (NMPMA), now fully epitomizes that slogan.
On June 27, 2012, President Barack Obama awarded the Congressional Gold Medal to the Montford Point Marines, honoring more than 20,000 African American men w...
Dario Marshall, the Dr. Henry Gates of Barbados: Finding My Roots!
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As you should know by now, I am trying to find my family in Barbados. I went to Barbados for the first time in September 2023 and made an appointment to go to their Archives. There, I met a young man who unlocked the next generation of my ancestry. I knew my grandfather immigrated here from Barbados in 1906. I got his immigration record from our National Archives in the early 2000s or before. And I've been searching for my Barbados family ever since. I think Im about to strike gold!
Make every...
Jim Capuano: Taking on Traditional Retirement Planning
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This episode is near and dear to my heart because I never planned for retirement. I just thought I would work forever. Also, I had a "good government retirement" and Social Security. What more did I need? Silly me!
Jim Capuano, author of The Great American Retirement Myth, is sounding a wakeup call for those of you still planning for retirement, and I urge you to listen. Take it from me, your work years go by quickly, and if you don't plan properly now, you will regret it later. Listen as J...
Brenda Moody Bivins: From Cherry Hill to Charlotte, NC as CEO of BB's Krab Kakes!
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Brenda is 80 years old and planning the next chapter of her life. She is a breast cancer survivor who fought through a major bout with depression when she was subsequently confined to a wheelchair due to degenerative arthritis. She uprooted herself from Baltimore and moved to Charlotte, NC, in the midst of her trials and tribulations. Then, when she got there, she became an entrepreneur at the age of 72 with her business, BB's Homemade Krab Kakes--the Ks being for her two grandsons. Now she is planning her next chapter, and she is adamant...
Presiding Elder Emeritus, Reverend Chester Morris: Born to Preach the Word of God!
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I first met Reverend Chester Morris, his lovely wife, Deborah, and his young daughter, Theresa, in about 1977 when I drove my Mother back home to the Eastern Shore of Virginia for the first time after she left as a child in 1931 as part of the Great Migration. Up until then, I had heard my Mom, and her eight siblings talk about their happy lives growing up in Nassawadox, Virginia. As I got older and learned more about segregation--I had lived under it until I was 16 years old when the Civil Rights Act of 1964...
Mrs. Lelia Elaine Moody Harrison: On Being 99!
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Mrs. Lelia Elaine Moody Harrison lives in Cherry Hill and has lived in the same house, the house her father purchased back in 1948, while living there. She has seen a lot in her 99 years and shares with us what she has done over time. Miss Lelia, as I call her, is such a delight. Listen as she shares her story.
Make every moment count! E-mail me at [email protected] and tell me in 25 words or less why I should interview you.
Warren Howze: In and Out of Segregated Times from Sumter, SC to Washington, DC
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I first heard of Warren Howze when he was the Big Man on Campus at Morgan State College in the mid-1960s. Although I did not attend Morgan, I heard my girlfriends talking about him being President of the Student Government Association. I recently met him and was interested in where life had taken him. I was captivated by his story because it shows the difference a life dedicated to public service can make. His story reminds us of how far we have come, but how far we still have to go.
<...Semper Fi: Retired Sergeant Major Eugene (Dobie) Gillis
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It was my honor and pleasure to interview my high school classmate and friend, Dobie Gillis. I did not know him in high school, but I am glad to have gotten to know him now. His story is the story of so many young men in the Boomer generation--particularly his service in Vietnam. I hope you will listen and learn.
Make every moment count! E-mail me at [email protected] and tell me in 25 words or less why I should interview you.
The Luck Family Saga Continues: Life with Ted and Alyce Luck
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Dr. William Wade, the subject of Season 2, Episode 2, invited me to attend the Luck Family Reunion that was held in Baltimore this year. Of course, being the #1 fan of Cherry Hill's Dr. Jerry Luck, I jumped at the opportunity. That is where I met Ted and Alyce Luck, both retired educators--but not really. If you listen to this episode, you will learn a lot. This family intrigues me because they are descended from enslaved persons Jerry and Luvenia Luck. Jerry was determined that all of his children would be educated and become doctors...
Ambassador Theodore Roosevelt Britton, Jr., L.L.D.: An Original Montford Point Marine
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I was introduced to the Montford Point Marines three years ago around Veteran's Day when I attended one of their awards ceremonies at the War Memorial in Baltimore. I didn't know their story before going. Fast forward to February of this year when one of my high school classmates, Eugene (Dobie) Gillis, a retired Marine who lives in California, forwarded me an email in February about the Montford Point Marines Association's 61st Annual Conference being held in Baltimore July 8 -12. I believe in signs, so I said I would go and try to m...
Presiding Elder Emeritus, Reverend Cordell Hunter's Journey from the Hills of Cherry AKA Cherry Hill
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Reverend Hunter's calling is to saving souls. His life of activism reminds us that we are our brother's keeper. Even in retirement from his Presiding Elder capacity, he continues to work to bring the next generation to God and to remind them of their anointing.
Make every moment count! E-mail me at [email protected] and tell me in 25 words or less why I should interview you.
Diane Dennis-Mills: Seed from the Rich Soil of Cherry Hill!
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Nobody believes me when I tell them how wonderful life was in Cherry Hill except others of my generation who grew up in this brand new, state of the art, first planned community built for African Americans by the Federal Government. We were more or less an experiment and boy did we succeed. There are enough witnesses on this podcast from Cherry Hill for you to know that this is our story, and we are sticking to it. Diane is another example of the excellence forged in the children of Cherry Hill. Listen...
Linda Padgurskis: Meet the L.I.N.D.A. Club President
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Yes! There really is a club of Lindas, and you are getting ready to meet the club President. This Linda was born and raised in Chicago--a few blocks from the slaughter yards. She is a very positive person, and of course as a Linda, she has to be personable. If you are feeling a little down, this episode will pick you up and change the course of your day. Listen as Linda shares her positivity.
Make every moment count! E-mail me at [email protected] and tell me in 25 words or...
Dr. Jaky Banks: Everything! Everywhere! All at Once!
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If that doesn't describe Dr. JakyB, I don't know what else will. A child of Maryland's Lower Eastern Shore, she has always been a force of nature. At a young age, she made it her mission to meet her parents' expectations of her, and she took off on her quest for education. That quest has taken her on a lot of twists and turns and made her the first in many areas of her life. After you listen to her story, check out her website, www.RoyaltyisBlack.com.
Make every moment c...
Jamaal Moses and His Life of Service in Social Work
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Jamaal Moses was born in what was then, Baltimore City Hospitals--now Johns Hopkins Bayview Campus, and lived a few blocks from what is now called the Inner Harbor until he was about 10 years old. Then he and his family moved to Cherry Hill and experienced the unique sense of community offered there. Jamaal has an outstanding record of service as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Baltimore City and Baltimore County. He has been married to his wife, Diane, for 45 years, and they have 4 wonderful children and 11 grandchildren.
Aaron Condon: Unearthing the Unsung Contributions of Minorities and Women at the National Institutes of Health
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Growing up, Aaron Condon wanted to be an archeologist just like Indian Jones. However, instead of finding buried treasure, he is mining the nuggets of history made at the National Institutes of Health for evidence of the contributions of minorities and women. For every Nobel Laureate, there are dozens of NIHers contributing to the research--ranging from the animal caretakers and glassware washers to the laboratory workers. It hasn't been a straight road for Aaron. Listen as he brings us along on his journey.
Make every moment count! E-mail me at Lindagracemorris...
Selena Robinson: Creating Lasting Memories
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Selena and I became acquainted through a direct sales opportunity doing jewelry parties. It was a fun way to test our entrepreneurial spirit and meet like-minded women and men. That was 20 years ago, and we have remained friends. Selena is 20 years younger than I, and she has a joy for life and bringing people together. Most recently, she has established a women's network, and I wanted her to speak about her leadership journey. She has a unique way of sharing messages that women need to hear.
Make every moment count! E-mail...
Mattie Butler: Paradise Found in Cherry Hill
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Mattie Butler gives us a glimpse of what life was like in early Cherry Hill. She was 14 when she and her mother, Ms. Frances Jones, moved from Vine Street near Fremont Avenue to Cherry Hill. Cherry Hill was a dream come true for her and the other families fortunate enough to be accepted into the community. Listen to how her life unfolded.
Make every moment count! E-mail me at [email protected] and tell me in 25 words or less why I should interview you.
Mark Aubert: Ancestry.com Suggested Caribbean Family Ties
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Those of you with subscriptions to Ancestry.com know that from time to time you might receive a message suggesting family members who share portions of your DNA. So far, I have found four cousins this way. The other three are related on my mother's side from the Eastern Shore of Virginia. So I assumed that Mark was too. No matter how hard we have tried, we have not confirmed a common ancestor there, but we both have ancestors from Barbados. However, one doesn't need a documented blood connection to feel like family...
Michael Burnside with Unfinished Business
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You will remember Michael burnside as the subject of Season 1, Episodes 31 and 32. He grew up in East Baltimore and Cherry Hill and later went into the service. However, his is an unconventional journey that ultimately led him to his purpose. You can just listen to this episode and extract some nuggets of Michael's folksy wisdom. However, if you have not listened to Michael's story shared in the prior episodes, you might want to start with them to fully appreciate what he is sharing in this episode.
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Adrienne Warren Appreciates the Investment the Cherry Hill Community Made in Her
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Growing up in Cherry Hill in mid-20th century America was a privilege. The message you received from your neighbors, your educators, and your church congregation was that you mattered. That's the message that Adrienne Warren received that carried her through her very successful life. What is a successful life, you ask? Listen and hear it defined in Adrienne's journey.
Make every moment count! E-mail me at [email protected] and tell me in 25 words or less why I should interview you.
Levon Parker: From a Farm in Craddockville, VA to the Renowned Halls of the National Institutes of Health
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Just like Ava Gabor on the sitcom, "Green Acres," farm life was not for Levon Parker. Levon could not wait to leave the farm, and he ran straight from the arms of his doting grandmother to those of a drill sergeant in the early 1950s--not long after President Truman desegregated the Armed Forces. It amazes me to hear these stories of individual triumph in times that weren't too far off from what we are experiencing today. Listen to Levon's journey.
Make every moment count! E-mail me at [email protected] and...
Joy Thomas Moore: First Mother of Maryland
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Joy Thomas Moore is a very unassuming woman with a powerful story to share. As I sat across from her, I could not help but smile because she flashes the same smile that Marylanders have become accustomed to seeing on the Governor. Her story is one of a truly liberated woman of our time. Not that she chose to be liberated, but it was thrust upon her as the widowed single mother of three children ranging in age from 10 years to 18 months old. Listen to this very universal story of an American family.<...
Alice Faye Brailey Torriente: Like Father Like Daughter
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If you didn't catch my hint, Alice is the daughter of the late Maryland Senator, Troy Brailey who served in Maryland's General Assembly from the mid 1960s until the mid 1990s. While Alice stood in her father's shadow growing up, she has managed to cast a pretty big shadow of her own involving education, politics and activism. Alice shares a lot of stories in this episode and drops some pretty big names--hint, hint, one with the initials BHO. Listen and see if you guessed right. Who else could it be?
<...
Fandreia Bowman: School Counselor Extraordinaire!
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When I met Fandreia Bowman working on the Bob Wallace for Mayor campaign, I was impressed with her drive. She tackled every task--large or small--with the same level of determination. After interviewing her for this episode, I understand where that drive comes from. It is in her DNA. Fandreia comes from a long line of doers who have molded her into the compassionate educator who takes on responsibility for all the children she encounters. My hat is off to Fandreia as she shares her story.
Make every moment count! E-mail me...
My Podcasting Mentor: Tone Robin, Host of the Talking Chit Podcast
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Tone Robin contacted me two or three years ago to ask me to be on his podcast to discuss my book, Cherry Hill: Raising Successful Black Children in Jim Crow Baltimore. He came to my home with just an iPhone, and we had a delightful conversation. I was impressed because this person who wasn't even from Baltimore had an appreciation for the city I love so much--and particularly an interest in Cherry Hill. Fast forward to May 2025 when I learned I was being let go from my job as a federal contractor. It...
Shirley Brown: Bringing Young People to God
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Shirley Brown has been a light to others her entire life. In this episode, she shares with us some of the positivity she exudes as she continues her journey leading young people to God.
Make every moment count! E-mail me at [email protected] and tell me in 25 words or less why I should interview you.
Billy Murphy in Conversation with John Morris: From Young Lawyers to Seasoned Attorneys
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We usually see lawyers publicly in terms of the cases they are representing. This episode reflects the thinking and lessons learned over the course of a lifetime in the legal profession for these two Baltimore lawyers. Observe them today as two African American men who came of age in mid-20th century America with more than 100 years of legal experience between them.
Make every moment count! E-mail me at [email protected] and tell me in 25 words or less why I should interview you.
Michael Eugene Johnson: Serving Popcorn and Nostalgia at the Pikes Studio Cinema
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The Pikes Theater has been a landmark on Reisterstown Road since forever. It has gone through several iterations, the most recent being as a very intimate setting for viewing your favorite movies with food you choose to order from one of the nearby restaurants delivered right to your seat; or, as a unique venue for your next fundraiser when you rent one or both of the 45-seat theaters and bring in your own caterer. You can thank Michael for having the vision to repurpose the site for movie lovers of any age. Who...
Robert "Bobby" Maith: Life in the Garden of Eden, AKA Cherry Hill
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Bobby Maith, the oldest child of Mrs. Dorothy Maith of Episode 22, once said that growing up in Cherry Hill was like living in the Garden of Eden with all the lush foliage, fruit trees, and wooded areas that we had. Mr. Maith, Bobby's dad, provided well for his family in that he worked for Bethlehem Steel in Sparrows Point--the highest paying employer in Baltimore at that time. Mr. Maith was also a veteran returning from WWII, so he was able to purchase a home on the GI Bill. The Maith family was "living...
Mrs. Dorothy Maith: Over a Century of Memories!
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Mrs. Dorothy Maith is 102 years old. She was born in the Rossville area of Baltimore County and was a member of the first class to graduate from Baltimore City's Dunbar High School in 1941. She and her husband, Robert, Sr., bought a house in Cherry Hill after he returned from the war. Their sons, Robert, Jr., and Ronald lived in this home, Ronald having been delivered there by Dr. Jerry Luck. Siblings Stanley, Caryl, and Daryl were born when the family moved to the pink house on the corner of Cherry Hill Road and...
Mary Tolbert: She Knew Luther When . . .
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Some people you meet, and you click right away. That's how it was when I met Mary Tolbert. I think it was the Spring of 2021 when things were starting to reopen after the COVID pandemic. We were going to a casino in Charles Town, WV, on it's opening day. On the ride up we had a glorious time talking about the music acts we had seen in concert when she dropped what I consider to be a bombshell--she used to work with Luther Vandross before he got his start in the music industry...
The Simmons Family: Picture Perfect!
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The picture I use for my podcast cover was taken by Mr. Carlton Simmons. He chronicled Cherry Hill families with his black and white photography. If it was a family event, he captured it with his camera. He took all the school class photos until the advent of color photography when the photo studios got the school photo business.
I Have been trying to find Mr. Simmons's children since I began writing the book. As luck would have it, my sister-in-law, Sharon Morris, sat next to Colotta Simmons on a recent t...
Carl David's Internet Radio Journey: JAZZRADIOdc.com
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Sometimes you have to take a long road to find your dream. For Carl David, that road started in Chicago, went to Los Angeles, came back to Harvey, IL, and then here to the DMV. Hear this Boomer talk about how he has pursued his love for jazz while working full-time jobs.
Make every moment count! E-mail me at [email protected] and tell me in 25 words or less why I should interview you.
