When she first visited Harborplace a few years ago, Jenenne Whitfield was fascinated. Subsequently joining a community engagement session this spring reaffirmed her commitment to Baltimore’s emerging arts scene.
As Whitfield sat at a jam-packed Maryland Science Center and heard MCB Real Estate Managing Partner P. David Bramble discuss plans to redevelop and reimagine downtown’s Harborplace, she was enamored with the idea.
Throughout the year-long community engagement process, MCB heard about the importance of culture, art and experience as a part of a new Harborplace – and with about three decades of experience working in the arts and culture sector, Whitfield stood out as the ideal leader to contribute to the next phase of MCB’s massive vision.
Thus, MCB Real Estate officials recently announced Whitfield as the Harborplace’s first director of experience. In that role, she will help reimagine the firsthand experience at a new Harborplace.
Born and raised in Detroit, Whitfield relocated to Baltimore in 2022 to take a job as the director of the American Visionary Art Museum (AVAM).
After working with AVAM for a little more than a year, Whitfield parted ways with the museum. But, she didn’t want to leave Baltimore as she had grown somewhat attached to the city’s culture, its residents and its uniqueness.
“I have traveled all over the world, but no place has really captured me like Baltimore has. It’s really special,” Whitfield said.
“When you ask me what is it about Baltimore, I would have to first say it’s something very special about its people. When I got let go from AVAM, there was a whole community of people that rallied around me, and really demonstrated that they were glad I was here.”
A graduate of Wayne State University, Whitfield began her professional career as a banker. In the process of time, she grew more and more uninterested in that particular line of work. Driving through Detroit one day in 1993, Whitfield took a turn down Heidelberg Street and it changed the course of her life.
Prior to moving to Baltimore, Whitfield was the well-reputed president of the internationally acclaimed Heidelberg Project in Detroit. Whitfield’s husband, Tyree Guyton, is the founder of The Heidelberg Project.
Under Whitfield’s leadership, The Heidelberg Project emerged as one of the nation’s most prominent arts and cultural hubs.
Her expertise underscores her ability to infuse Harborplace with innovative and inclusive cultural programming, MCB officials said.
“I am thrilled to welcome Jenenne Whitfield to our team,” Bramble said.
“Her proven background of fostering creativity and inclusivity aligns perfectly with our vision for Harborplace. Together, we are committed to creating a dynamic cultural destination that celebrates Baltimore – even before we put a shovel in the ground. Harborplace has always been the City’s gathering place and our commitment through this process is to return Harborplace to that glory in a modern 21st-century way.”
While Whitfield is grateful for the time she spent at AVAM, she said she feels her skills and expertise are more useful in the MCB’s director of experience role.
“A museum setting is cool and it serves its purpose, but I think everything happens for a reason. And I don’t really think that’s where my talent is best suited,” Whitfield said.
“So it’s not really a surprise to me that I landed now at the Harborplace as the director of the Harbor experience.”
From the plethora of seafood eateries, to the waterfront views, to the cobblestone streets, to its diverse communities – Baltimore, thus far, has lived up to its nickname of Charm City.
“Baltimore is such an exciting city with energy that sets new precedents for what a world-class, diverse city can be. I am excited to have been invited to the table,” said Whitfield, whose specialty is arts administration.
“I believe I’m actually here in Baltimore to be part of the transition, and the change, and the energy, and the dynamics of what’s happening at the Harbor.”
In addition to developing dynamic programming on the local, national and international scales, Whitfield will be tasked with building powerful relationships and partnerships with Baltimore’s creative community and others en route to creating a more lively Harborplace into an influential hub of creativity, innovation and inclusivity.
“It’s all about us making Baltimore great – or I should say greater,” Whitfield said. “I’m here because this is a great opportunity.”
Since first hearing Bramble speak at a community engagement meeting, Whitfield was struck with Bramble’s honesty, transparency and efforts in connecting with the people of Baltimore. MCB leaders are thrilled to have Whitfield on board.
“This is not just a real estate transaction,” Bramble added. “This reinforces our goal of harnessing the power of positive energy to reimagine Harborplace [as] a world-class waterfront destination.”