Baltimore—The Girl Scouts of Central Maryland recognized local businesswomen who epitomize the values of Girl Scouting as part of the Distinguished Women’s Award program on Thursday, April 25, 2013 at the Roland Park Country Club in Baltimore.

The honorees included Cecile B. Perich, senior vice president of human relations for McCormick and Company; Dr. Winifred J. Booker, Valley Dental Pediatrics; Karen Barbour, The Barbour Group; Patricia McHugh-Lambert, Pessin Katz Law, P.A.; and Maria Harris Tildon, CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield.

Each honoree mentored a Girl Scout for a day giving the girls insight into possible future careers. Emily Moore shadowed Dr. Booker and said she learned countless skills from her in just one day.

“My day with Dr. Booker was a life changing experience,” she said. “She transformed my image of doctors. I was given the job of handing out freeze pops to the kids that needed a little cheering up. I interacted with the children and made some new friends, applying what I had observed Dr. Booker doing with them. I realized that I definitely wanted to work with children in whichever field I choose.”

GSCM has honored local businesswomen who epitomize the values of Girl Scouting since 1980. The networking fundraiser, which includes a silent and live auction, showcas

es the accomplishments of businesswomen and the leadership potential that young Girl Scouts are demonstrate all across central Maryland.

Girl Scouts of Central Maryland provides leadership programming for nearly 30,000 girls in central Maryland residing in Baltimore City, Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll, Harford and Howard counties. For more information about the programs offered by the Girl Scouts of Central Maryland, visit: www.gscm.org. 

The Baltimore Kidney Walk, which will be held on Sunday, May 5, 2013 at the Maryland Zoo calls attention to the severity of kidney disease. 

At the age of 11, Candyce Norris was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. At age 24, her eyes began to fail, resulting in temporary blindness and at age 26, she suffered kidney failure, resulting from her diabetes. In February 2010, Norris began her first dialysis treatment, which she received three times a week.

“Dialysis made me lethargic and I had no energy,” said Norris. “I wasn’t able to participate in life. However, by the grace of God, I was only on dialysis for six months. Now I am working again, supporting my community, and living a normal life as opposed to being tied to a dialysis machine three times a week. I made a complete one hundred and eighty degree turn.”

In August 2011, Norris received a kidney transplant from her brother. The 28-year-old Coppin State University graduate will be among participants in The National Kidney Foundation of Maryland (NKF-MD) 11th annual Baltimore Kidney Walk on Sunday, May 5, 2013 at The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore. NKF-MD is the area’s only voluntary health agency dedicated to the prevention, treatment and cure of kidney and urinary tract diseases.

“I am walking for those who are suffering from kidney disease,” said Norris. “I encourage people to come out and walk for those who can’t come out and walk for themselves, and to lend a helping hand to stand up for those who can’t stand up for themselves.”

Between 3,500 and 4,000 people are expected to participate in Baltimore Kidney Walk, a fun, inspiring, community fundraiser that calls attention to the severity of kidney disease and the need for organ donation.

According to NKF-MD, more than 26 million Americans have chronic kidney disease and most don’t know it. The Association further points out that 73 million Americans over age 20 are at risk for kidney disease, and that one in two Americans will develop kidney disease in their lifetime.

Approximately 1,500 Marylanders await a kidney for transplantation, and 10 to 12 Marylanders die daily awaiting a life-saving organ. African Americans account for 60 percent of the dialysis patients in Maryland. Diabetes and uncontrolled high blood pressure are the leading risk factors for kidney failure.

“A lot of young people think they can’t get kidney disease,” said Norris. “I was the youngest person at my dialysis center, and there are some centers where there are people who are younger. If you have diabetes, it can lead to kidney disease.”

According to NFK-MD, many people affected do not realize it until the condition has progressed. Kidney disease can be detected early through simple screening.

Dr. Tanjala Purnell, a graduate of Johns Hopkins University conducts research in the area of improving access to kidney transplantation for African Americans. The 29-year-old Mississippi native will be a volunteer at the Baltimore Kidney Walk this year.

“The event is great,” said Dr. Purnell. “Unfortunately, kidney disease is on the rise, and diabetes and high blood pressure is the cause. It is important that we invest money into additional research and programs to help patients and families impacted by the disease. Monies raised from the Kidney Walk help that cause.”

Funds raised from the Kidney Walk will directly support NKF-MD’s patient services, education and research efforts. More than 3,500 people participated in the 2012 Kidney Walk events, which raised over $370,000.

“This event also helps to raise awareness on the serious impact kidney disease is having on the community,” said Dr. Purnell. “We understand heart disease and cancer, but we need more education around kidney disease and this event helps bring s about awareness. It takes the entire community to fight kidney disease.”

She added, “In doing my research, one of the barriers I found in getting transplants was the lack of awareness around the serious nature of kidney disease and [the] need for donors in certain communities. This event does a great job of creating awareness around these barriers.”

Following the walk, participants can enjoy refreshments, mingle with animal ambassadors from the Zoo and enjoy performances by the Science Cheerleaders, a group of former and current NFL and NBA cheerleaders. The Maryland National Guard will provide face painting, rock climbing and a digital camouflage Humvee tour.

“It’s a great opportunity for patients, donors, family, friends and businesses to spread awareness about chronic kidney disease,” said Diana Mitchell, NKF-MD’s development manager. “This will be our biggest walk yet as we reach a record number participants at the Baltimore Zoo.”

Registration for the Baltimore Kidney Walk begins at 8:00 a.m. at the Zoo’s main gate. Following warm-up exercises, the 1.6-mile walk through the Zoo begins at 9:00 a.m. To register or receive information about the Kidney Walk sponsorship or volunteer opportunities, call 410-494-8545 or visit: www.kidneywalk.org. 

Baltimore— U.S. Sen. Ben Cardin, Baltimore City Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, and other dignitaries joined Enterprise and Capital One Bank, Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development, Baltimore Housing, the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta and the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development to celebrate Earth Day with a ceremony for the grand opening of The Greens at Irvington Mews.

Located in southwest Baltimore City, on a site that once served as the Irvington Loop for the #8 trolley line, the newly constructed $16 million development is comprised of 82 one-bedroom and 18 two-bedroom apartments, 10 of which are fully accessible, including two units with features for sensory-impaired adults. The development is built to the Enterprise Green Communities Criteria, the first national framework for building green affordable housing and community buildings, and meets the standards for both LEED Silver mid-rise and Energy Star multi-family high-rise residential buildings.

“Enterprise is delighted to stand with our partners this Earth Day as we commemorate the grand opening of this beautiful and much-needed community in Baltimore City,” said Chickie Grayson, president and CEO, Enterprise Homes, Inc. “Baltimore City’s seniors will benefit from living in this safe, accessible, affordable and sustainable community. Senior populations are among the most vulnerable, and The Greens at Irvington Mews exemplifies Enterprise’s commitment both to providing critically needed housing for these individuals and to our Earth. The Greens at Irvington Mews is a great example of how the public and private sectors work together through the Low Income Housing Tax Credit to serve our seniors.”

The four-story development, located across the street from Mount Saint Joseph High School, was thoughtfully designed by Hord Coplan Macht to respect the residential and commercial nature of the surrounding neighborhoods while meeting the sustainability requirements of the Enterprise Green Communities Criteria. Energy-efficient features include Energy Star windows, lights, bathroom exhaust fans and appliances.

The development exceeds code energy efficiency levels by at least 20 percent, with the installation of Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) multi-split HVAC systems. The VRF system enhances energy efficiency by reacting to the heat and air conditioning needs of each room, while conventional systems attempt to heat the whole building. Other green and sustainable features are low-VOC paint, Green Label carpet, and water-conserving plumbing fixtures. Energy efficient framing techniques were used to provide greater exterior wall insulation. In addition, the exterior skin of the building is comprised entirely of highly durable materials, a combination of brick, fiber cement lap siding and cement fiber panels, all of which contribute to a reduction in energy costs.

“Every day can be Earth Day in homes that save energy and therefore save the environment and save money for it residents. I am proud to join Mayor Rawlings-Blake, Enterprise and Capital One Bank for this great occasion,” said Sen. Cardin. “Here in the United States, everyone— no matter where you come from or what your income— everyone deserves a place to call home. The Greens at Irvington Mews is part of the American dream. Every American— every Marylander— deserves an affordable place to live in a safe, vibrant and energy efficient community.”

“We are grateful to Senator Cardin, Enterprise, and our many partners for their role in bringing the Greens at Irvington Mews development to fruition,” said Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake. “Today's grand opening set an example that building affordable and energy efficient housing for Baltimore's seniors is possible. Projects like this will help us retain life-long residents and let them live and play in the city they love.”

“Fostering the economic well-being of our communities and their residents is a vital part of our work at Capital One Bank, and we are proud to help provide more affordable housing for local low- and moderate-income seniors through the construction of the Greens at Irvington Mews,” said Adam Ostrach, Maryland North Market President for Capital One Bank. “As a local bank, Capital One recognizes the need for quality, sustainable affordable housing in our local communities. We are proud to work with local developers, like Enterprise, to invest in opportunities that will not only provide affordable housing for those in need, but also reduce environmental impact and stimulate the creation of local jobs.”

Dr. Michael Miller shares story with Arlington Elementary School students

Michael Miller knows all about overcoming obstacles. The Baltimore native became a father at the age of 14, dropped out of school at the age of 16, was in and out of trouble, and enjoyed the lure of the streets of Baltimore. By all accounts, it appeared Miller’s troubled lifestyle would lead him down a path of destruction that would end with him becoming a crime statistic.  

However, Miller beat the odds. In a matter of three years, he obtained a G.E.D., an associate’s degree, and went on to earn a bachelor’s degree from Morehouse College, setting a national record for the first person to ever accomplish the feat. Through the benevolence of Oprah Winfrey, Miller received funding to continue his education as a “Beating the Odds Scholar.” He went on to earn a master’s degree from the University of Maryland and a doctoral degree from Johns Hopkins University.

Currently, Dr. Miller is traveling around the country sharing his story through motivational speaking engagements and promoting his book, “It’s Not Where You Start, It’s Where You Finish: How I Won My Race From Last Place!”  The book chronicles Dr. Miller’s long-held childhood pain and revelations including overcoming obstacles, death, and suicide.

Miller also shares his story with children whenever possible, and on Friday, April 19, 2013 he paid a visit to Arlington Elementary School. Terrell Gray is the principal of the school, which is located on Rogers Avenue in Baltimore. During his visit, Dr. Miller discussed the book, talked with students, and fielded questions from students during a Q&A session.

“I talk to the kids about the false starts in my life, and how I made it through,” said Dr. Miller. “I went from a G.E.D. to a Ph.D. Through the benevolence of Oprah Winfrey, I was able to earn my master’s degree and Ph.D. She paid for it all. She asked me to give back, as opposed to paying back. That’s what I am doing today. It’s all about giving back.”

He added, “I am a firm believer that you can take any kid of out of the inner-city and they can excel and do well.  That kid can learn how to adapt to that which he has, and be successful. I’m living proof that it can be done.”

“It’s Not Where You Start, It’s Where You Finish: How I Won My Race From Last Place!” is a New York Times best seller, and is in high demand by school systems all over the nation.

“A lot of schools around the country use the book as part of their curriculum,” said Dr. Miller. “The state of Maryland also orders about 15,000 books for the juvenile detention centers. The state of Georgia orders between 50,000 to 60,000 copies every year for their students.”

He added, “I understand to whom much is given more is required. I believe in, and stress education. This is about saving our children’s lives and investing. It’s a sad thing to be successful, and not give back to the community.”

The book includes a foreword by world-renowned neurosurgeon Dr. Ben Carson, director of pediatric neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins Hospital. Both Dr. Carson and Dr. Miller share similar stories of overcoming seemingly insurmountable obstacles to achieve success. Dr. Carson is the author of “Gifted Hands.”

“I give a lot of credit to Dr. Carson,” said Dr. Miller. “He had his hands on me. He took me under his wing and mentored me. He is incredibly smart, intelligent and humble. His humbleness taught me it was never about me. It’s about God.”

Dr. Miller attends Bethany Baptist Church where Dr. Thurm M. James, Sr. is pastor.

“Dr. James keeps me focused and I need that,” said Dr. Miller. “God just sends you what you need. This is the first time I have gone to church consistently. I have kept my Sundays open to attend church. You have to finish what you start. That includes my spiritual walk too.”

Dr. Miller who is 39-years-old, is also delivering on his promise to Winfrey through the Promise to Persevere Scholarship.

“These scholarships are not merit-based,” said Dr. Miller. “These scholarships are awarded to students who beat the odds and have overcome some things in their life. They were at a fork in the road— college or the streets, but chose college. Oprah Winfrey did it for me, and now I am doing it for someone else.”

Keana Todd, a sixth-grade student at Arlington Elementary School wrote an essay about Dr. Miller’s book.

“I really like Dr. Miller’s book,” said Keana. “I liked the fact that he ran a good race and won.”

“It’s Not Where You Start, It’s Where You Finish: How I Won My Race From Last Place!” sells for $15.95, and is available at Barnes & Noble, and other bookstores and retailers. The book is also available online at amazon.com