Originally posted in The Rawlings-Blake Review #206

School is out, summer break is here, and we are already feeling the heat here in Baltimore! I am committed to working with our neighborhoods to facilitate safe and healthy activities for our children and find ways to beat the heat.

That’s why yesterday I directed Baltimore City Recreation and Parks to open all neighborhood pools, as well as Clifton, Druid Hill and Patterson Park pools, two days earlier than originally scheduled. We need to work together to provide a secure, family-friendly environment for our city’s residents as we proceed into the brutal summer months. It is important to me that our young people and families have a super summer!

This year, we will continue to build on the success of last year’s Super Summer program. This innovative program brings agencies and non-governmental partners together to implement a comprehensive strategy to provide resources and improve outcomes for our city’s youth. Baltimore City Super Summer increases access to summer programs and provides young people and families with learning opportunities, free meals, reading assistance, and recreational programs all summer long.

To get summer started, this weekend Baltimore will hold the annual African American Festival, the largest cultural festival on the East Coast. The African American Festival—an annual celebration of life, music, and culture—brings together a diverse community to honor a rich history and showcase our city’s future. 

This year, we will host national headliners, including Brandy, Mint Condition and Johnny Gill, and showcase over 150 sponsors, vendors, and community groups. I hope you’ll join us this weekend for this one-of-a kind experience! Be sure to go to www.africanamericanfestival.net for more information.

I am really looking forward to the entire slate of activities our city has planned for this summer. We have everything from Baltimore’s Star-Spangled Summer—where we will bring 200 years of American history to life—to one of my favorite events of the year: Artscape! Join us as we continue to celebrate all that makes Baltimore City so vibrant and diverse!