BALTIMORE — A culmination of months and countless hours of dedication to restoring communities across Charm City has led to a massive movement.
On Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, a thousand men took to the street named after him in Baltimore.
Through social media and word of mouth, the movement grew to its size.
“With twenty two persons starting back a few months ago has grown into the marvel of what we’ve seen today," said Pastor Corey Barnes. "A thousand plus concerned black men to go into the most treacherous neighborhoods and show our people love. “We are changing this city one block at a time. From East to west to north to south, people’s lives are being changed.”
This isn't the beginning or the end. Walks like this happen three times a week, Monday's at 6 p.m. in West Baltimore, Thursday's at 6 p.m. in South Baltimore and Saturday at noon in East Baltimore.
“Their physical bodies are in the ground and have been put in the ground, God brought them here for a bigger purpose. They live through us," said Minister Carlos Muhammad. "The spirit of Dr. King was present today as we participated in a parade, but as I said earlier we just showed up to work earlier today."
“There was an elderly woman that came out on the porch, she stopped she cried and she began to say I’ve been waiting for you guys. This is amazing, can y’all just stand here and talk for a while.”
They bring tangible resources with them, substance behind their strides.
“Last count 87 people have received employment opportunities and we’ve had about 37 if I remember correctly last count that got into drug treatment and mental health services," Pastor Marvin McKenstry Jr. "We have a bunch of people that have gotten into training programs, skill training programs."
Men, answering a call to give people the power to take their streets back.
