Image caption:
Ronald J. Daniels
President
Everyone's a winner.
At least, that's what I told myself as I crouched on the brand-new community track and field at the Henderson-Hopkins School in East Baltimore, preparing to take the inaugural lap alongside one of Henderson-Hopkins' best sixth-grade sprinters and Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott, a former high school track star. As our starter, JHU Vice President for Economic Development Alicia Wilson, began counting down, it dawned on me that this was no ceremonial jog. It was a race. Within seconds, it became abundantly clear that I had been wise to pursue scholarship rather than track and field stardom. I got smoked.
I may have placed a distant third, but I still count myself a winner. Indeed, the opening of this new field, painted in bright blue, was a victory for our university and the entire East Baltimore community, one born out of the courage to persevere despite extraordinary circumstances.
Most immediately, this was a moment in which a beloved Baltimore community could come together in person after more than 18 months of uncertainty, isolation, and disruption. Henderson-Hopkins students and their families poured onto the field to socialize and to visit booths from local community organizations. They were joined by Hopkins lacrosse and football players, who took a break from their own workouts and homework to put some Henderson-Hopkins students—perhaps even some future Blue Jays— through their paces in skills clinics.
This field also represents the culmination of a yearslong partnership between Baltimore City Public Schools, community members and city leaders, and Morgan State University and Johns Hopkins to create an extraordinary public K-8 school in the heart of East Baltimore. Under the leadership of its exceptional principal, Peter Kannam, Henderson-Hopkins is a rising star among Baltimore City schools and is realizing its promise as an anchor in the community. Throughout the pandemic, the school supported students and families in the area by providing equipment and space for supervised online instruction, offering public health support, and distributing millions of meals to those who needed them. We are thrilled that this school is truly and proudly a part of the firmament of East Baltimore, loved by students and parents alike.
Henderson-Hopkins is just one way we are continuing to deepen and expand our collaborations with community partners. From our Live Near Your Work grants to HopkinsLocal, our economic inclusion initiative, to our participation in Goldman Sachs' 10,000 Small Businesses program, we are doubling and redoubling our commitment to be truly of our city. The smiles and laughter of Baltimore families on the new Henderson-Hopkins field were proof that our partnerships and efforts are making an impact where it matters most.
Third place never felt so good.
Ronald J. Daniels
President
