The Best of Black Baltimore is The Baltimore Times’ monumental annual campaign to celebrate the business, culture, and excellence of Baltimore’s Black‑owned enterprises. Residents across the city nominate and vote for standout businesses and individuals in dozens of categories, creating deep community engagement and authentic local data. The campaign culminates in a high‑visibility awards celebration that brings together business owners, tastemakers, celebrities, sponsors, advertisers, partners, community organizations, elected officials, and residents for recognition, networking, and cultural celebration. This campaign highlights and elevates Black economic and cultural leadership, strengthens community pride, and drives increased patronage. It also offers funders, government and civic leaders, and stakeholder partners a proven platform to amplify local entrepreneurship, showcase cultural excellence, and build a more connected, resilient business ecosystem across Baltimore.
Baltimore’s business community is evolving, and for many entrepreneurs, the biggest challenge is not a lack of resources. It is knowing where to start.
That is where Tiffany Bethea comes in.
As executive director of the Baltimore City Chamber of Commerce, Bethea is helping shape how business owners across the city connect, grow and navigate an ecosystem that can often feel overwhelming. After sitting down with her for Be More Positive, one thing became clear. Her work goes beyond programming and events.
She is focused on building structure.
During the conversation, Bethea spoke candidly about what it means to lead in a moment that feels both promising and demanding. With more people entering entrepreneurship and more attention on Baltimore as a place to build, there is also increased pressure to move quickly and succeed.
Her approach starts with something simple, but often overlooked. Pause.
Through practices like prayer, breath work and intentionally creating space before the day begins, Bethea prioritizes staying grounded. That discipline carries into how she leads.
Zuryna Livermore (left) interviews Tiffany Bethea for the “Be More Positive” Podcast.
That clarity is reflected in her vision for the chamber.
Often described as a hub for business owners, the Baltimore City Chamber of Commerce offers networking, education and access to resources. Bethea is working to refine that experience by shifting the focus from general access to intentional alignment.
One of the key challenges she has identified is that many entrepreneurs are trying to solve problems that do not align with their current business stage.
In other words, they are moving, but not always in the right direction.
Drawing from her background in coaching and consulting, Bethea is working to build a more structured ecosystem that helps business owners identify where they are and what steps they should take next. The goal is to reduce confusion and help entrepreneurs move with greater clarity.
That approach is already influencing how the chamber operates.
Through curated networking events, educational programming and monthly mastermind sessions, members are encouraged to build meaningful connections and gain practical insight. The emphasis is not just on being in the room, but on leaving with direction.
Bethea has also been intentional about the team supporting that vision. She recently introduced a new leadership group designed to bring fresh ideas, challenge existing approaches and help expand the chamber’s impact across the city.
At the center of it all is a focus on outcomes.
For Bethea, success is not defined by activity, but by results. She wants to see businesses hiring, increasing revenue, expanding operations and becomi
If you know Baltimore’s food scene, then you already know Simone Phillips.
As the founder of Charm City Table, Phillips has built a trusted platform that highlights where to eat, what to try and which local businesses deserve your attention. But after sitting down with her for Be More Positive, one thing became clear: Simone is doing much more than posting great food.
Baltimore Native and Travel Food Enthusiast Simone Phillips (@charmcitytable) with Be More Podcast host Zuryna Livermore
She’s helping tell a bigger story about Baltimore.
During our conversation, Phillips reflected on her upbringing, her deep family roots in West Baltimore and Baltimore County, and how community shaped the way she experiences food. From family gatherings in Reservoir Hill to a childhood filled with home-cooked meals made from scratch, food was never just about eating. It was about connection, culture and memory.
That foundation eventually grew into Charm City Table.
What started as a personal way to document restaurants and meals around the city has grown into a major lifestyle and media platform. Over the years, Phillips has turned her love for Baltimore’s dining scene into a brand that celebrates not only good food, but also the people and creativity behind it.
And that’s what makes her work stand out.
Phillips has been especially intentional about highlighting Black-owned and minority-owned businesses, helping show the depth and diversity of Baltimore’s culinary scene. In a city as creative and culturally rich as this one, that kind of visibility matters.
Our conversation also touched on something many locals already know— Baltimore’s food scene still doesn’t always get the recognition it deserves. While crab cakes will always have their place, Phillips made it clear that Baltimore offers far more than the usual stereotypes. From neighborhood staples to elevated dining experiences, the city’s restaurant scene is layered, dynamic and full of talent.
She also shared a perspective that resonated beyond food— that one of the biggest misunderstandings about Baltimore is that people often overlook just how creative the city really is.
And she’s right.
Baltimore is full of artists, chefs, entrepreneurs and storytellers who are constantly creating, building and pushing culture forward. Phillips is one of them. Through Charm City Table, she isn’t just showing people where to eat — she’s showing them how to see Baltimore.
That includes what’s next. In addition to continuing her work in food and hospitality, Phillips is also creating new opportunities for local creatives, including a short-form film screening initiative connected to the Maryland Film Festival.
At its heart, this conversation was about more than conten
For many aspiring podcasters, authors, entrepreneurs, and organizations, the idea of building a media presence can feel overwhelming. From branding and production to marketing and public relations, there are multiple pieces that must come together for a message to truly reach an audience. That’s where Elevation Global Media Group, founded by Cassandra Ferguson, steps in.
Cassandra Ferguson, founder of Elevation Global Media Group.
Based in Baltimore County, Elevation Global Media Group is a full-service media company designed to help individuals and organizations bring their stories to life across television, radio, podcasts, and digital platforms. Ferguson created the company to solve a problem she personally experienced while hosting her own radio show.
“I had a great radio show,” Ferguson shared on the Be More Positive podcast. “But I realized that I wasn’t being given the essentials to move forward and grow it as a business.”
That realization sparked the creation of Elevation Global Media Group — a place where creators and organizations can access the tools, strategy, and support needed to build a sustainable media platform.
The company provides a wide range of services including branding development, marketing strategy, media production, and public relations support. Ferguson explains that many people are eager to start a podcast or media project but often lack foundational elements such as professional branding, contact infrastructure, or a clear marketing plan.
“People think they can just show up in front of a microphone,” she explained. “But they may not have a headshot, an email address, or the essential pieces that allow others to connect with them.”
Elevation Global Media Group works to bridge that gap by offering a comprehensive, full-service approach. Whether working with corporations, media organizations, entrepreneurs, or first-time creators, the team helps clients refine their vision and translate it into a strategic media presence.
Beyond working with professionals, Ferguson has also built a strong commitment to youth mentorship through the company’s digital and media literacy programs. Elevation Global Media Group partners with Baltimore City and Baltimore County schools to introduce students to branding, storytelling, and content production. Students even have the opportunity to create their own podcasts and interview guests, giving them hands-on experience in media creation.
For Ferguson, the mission is clear: empower people to share their stories authentically.
“One of the biggest trends I see is people copying what others are doing,” she said. “But the most important thing is to bring your own voice and your own vision.”
By combining strategy, creativity, and mentorship, Elevation Global Media Group i
Each year, CIAA Weekend transforms Baltimore into a vibrant celebration of culture, connection, and community. What began as a basketball tournament has evolved into one of the city’s most impactful cultural moments — drawing tens of thousands of visitors, energizing local businesses, and reshaping how Baltimore is experienced and remembered.
For many, CIAA Weekend feels less like a sporting event and more like a city-wide family reunion. Alumni return home, first-time visitors are welcomed with open arms, students find opportunities to network, and neighborhoods across Baltimore come alive with pride and purpose.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DvzDOrCWINs
More Than a Game
While the CIAA Men’s and Women’s Basketball Championships remain at the heart of the weekend, the experience extends far beyond the arena. With more than 22 championship games and signature events including Fan Fest, step shows, career and education expos, community panels, day parties, and formal events, CIAA Weekend offers something for everyone.
The diversity of programming allows attendees to experience Baltimore from multiple perspectives — from its historic neighborhoods and cultural institutions to its nightlife and culinary scene.
Disrupting the Narrative About Baltimore
CIAA Weekend also plays a powerful role in shifting perceptions of the city. For a few days each year, Baltimore gets to define itself not through headlines, but through lived experience.
Visitors engage directly with the city’s culture, hospitality, and creativity — often leaving with a deeper appreciation for Baltimore’s people and neighborhoods.
Inclusion and Legacy
CIAA Weekend is rooted in HBCU culture, but its reach extends far beyond alumni. Whether attendees went to an HBCU or not, the weekend offers an accessible entry point into a legacy built on community, resilience, and shared history.
CIAA Commissioner Jacqie McWilliams Parker, photographed at the WBAL TV-11 studio, January 9, 2025.
“HBCUs are a cornerstone of our communities,” McWilliams Parker explained. “Even if you didn’t attend one, you’re still connected to their impact. CIAA Weekend reminds us that this legacy belongs to all of us.”
Economic Impact and Long-Term Commitment
Beyond its cultural significance, CIAA Weekend serves as a major economic engine for Baltimore. Each year, millions of dollars flow into the local economy, with intentional spending directed toward Black-owned and minority-owned businesses.
According to CIAA leadership, recent tournaments generated more than $1.4 million in minority-owned purchasing, underscoring the event’s commi
When you think of Baltimore City leadership — the press conferences, the policy announcements, the viral “Mask up, shorty” moments — Brandon Scott often comes to mind.
But leadership does not only live at a podium.
Sometimes it lives in the steady presence behind the scenes — in the strategist, the partner, the mother, the entrepreneur who helps hold the foundation in place.
That is where you will find Hana Scott.
In a candid conversation on Be More Positive, Baltimore’s First Lady shared reflections on her upbringing, her career pivot from science to entrepreneurship, her postpartum journey, and her unwavering love for the city that raised her.
A Baltimore Girl, Through and Through
Scott describes herself as “a regular, degular girl,” but her story reflects discipline, resilience and purpose.
Raised in the Northwood neighborhood of Northeast Baltimore near Morgan State University, she attended Baltimore City Public Schools before graduating from Baltimore Polytechnic Institute. Education, she explains, was not just expected — it was transformative.
Raised by a single father alongside her brother, Scott shared a bedroom with her family until she left for college. She later earned a full academic scholarship to the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, graduating debt-free with a degree in biology.
“I understood that graduating without student loans would give me a leg up,” she said.
At a time when HBCUs did not receive the national recognition they do today, Scott chose UMES not for prestige, but for alignment — financial, cultural and long-term.
From the Lab to Leadership
Before becoming First Lady, Scott worked in vaccine research, contributing to studies focused on malaria and HIV. The work was complex and impactful. It was also isolating.
“It sounds impressive,” she said. “But I was miserable.”
Recognizing that fulfillment matters as much as achievement, Scott pivoted. In 2017, she launched her own operations and project management firm, supporting mission-driven organizations, particularly Black women-led teams and nonprofits.
Over time, she refined her client base to reflect her values.
“I signed contracts with anyone who would pay me money at first,” she said. “Now I’m intentional.”
When national funding shifts affected many minority-led organizations, Scott resisted the urge to pivot away from her community. Instead, she leaned into programs like Goldman Sachs’ One Million Black Women initiative and strengthened h
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