Celebrating MLK Jr. at the Druid Hill YMCA Family Center

The Y of Central Maryland celebrated the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr at it’s 36th Annual MLK Breakfast at the Druid Hill YMCA Family Center. The Michael Group is proud to have played a leadership role in the renovation of this historic center.

This year’s breakfast featured Dr. Carnell Cooper, a surgery professor and founder of the Baltimore City Violence Prevention Program. Dr. Cooper credited programs like those at the Druid Hill Y Family Center for making the life saving difference in many youths lives.

The audience, including Lt. Governor Anthony Brown was captivated by 17 year old Kenneth Franklin and his story about the positive roll the Druid Hill YMCA Family Center has had in his life. Franklin passionately told a story of his friend who was shot and killed in his neighborhood. Franklin was at the Y that night instead of hanging out with his friends on the street. He credits the Y with saving his life that night.

 Left to Right: Lt. Governor Anthony Brown, Dr. Carnell Cooper, Founder of the Violence Prevention Program, Michael Shacklette, The Michael Group, Y Baltimore City Community Advisory Board, Perry P. Savoy, Peristyle LLC, Y Baltimore City Community Advisory Board (Chair), Commissioner Evan Richardson, MD Commission on African American History & Culture, Andrea Jackson, DPN Group LLC, Y Baltimore City Community Advisory Board

Positive Change is Coming to Coppin Heights

On a cold January morning, dignitaries,community stake holders, leaders of Copping university, staff of the Michael Group and many others came out to celebrate the beginning of the Coppin Heights Urban Revitalization project. Lead by a partnership between Coppin Heights Community Development Corporation, Coppin State University and the City of Baltimore’s Vacants to Values program, the Coppin Heights Urban Revitalization will bring new housing, increased public safety, jobs and more to the west Baltimore corridor of North Avenue.

 

As the General Contractor, The Michael Group Inc will begin by renovating one existing row house, building one new town house from the ground up and installing one modular home on a vacant parcel on North Avenue. In addition to the Coppin Heights Urban Revitalization project. The Michael Group has been working in Coppin Heights for last year on the St. Stephen’s Court Apartments project. Each of these important community projects will have a lasting positive effect on the neighborhood.

Stabilization of the existing home has begun. Developer Wendy Blair, together with the Mayor Stephanie Rawlings Blake and Dr. Gary Rodwell, Executive Director of Coppin Heights CDC stand inside the existing unit reviewing the long term plans for the neighborhood.

We’ll keep you updated on our progress!

Photos by Mark Dennis, Office of the Mayor.