GBLA's Executive Leadership Team - Daniel Gardew, Elena Huang, Charell Elliott, Coby Smith, Nicole Campbell, Harold Booker Jr Photos Credit - Steve Hopkins

The Greater Baltimore Leadership Association (GBLA), the young professionals chapter of the Greater Baltimore Urban League, honored a year of growth, service, and community leadership at its 2025 GBLA Awards Ceremony.

President Coby Smith opened the evening by reflecting on GBLA’s achievements in 2024, which included hosting 61 events, growing the leadership team from 8 to 20 members, and engaging over 70 active members in service. The chapter raised more than $20,000, awarded $10,000 to Black entrepreneurs, and hosted a 275-person business summit that blended innovation, culture, and empowerment.

Award Highlights

  • Longevity Awards honored members with over five years of service, including Harold Booker, Jennifer Wicks, Charles Jackson, Dr. Nicolette Louissaint Coursey, and Sydnee Logan.
  • Distinguished YP Member Awards recognized Tiffany Young, Melissa Brent, and Elena Huang for outstanding volunteerism, leadership, and advocacy.
  • The YP Honors Award went to Balu “Lu” Bangura, an equity strategist and community changemaker known for launching Maryland’s first free grocery store and creating the nation’s first library equity dashboard.
  • The President’s Legacy Award celebrated Nicole Campbell for her leadership in signature GBLA fundraisers and Charell Elliott for her award-winning professional development programming.
  • GBLA President Coby Smith received the President’s Distinguished YP Recognition for revitalizing the chapter and deepening community partnerships.
President of Buffalo Urban League Young Professional Mark Overall, Former President of GBLA Charles Jackson and President of GBLA Coby Smith

National Recognition

GBLA’s work earned multiple national honors from the National Urban League Young Professionals:

  • National Day of Empowerment Award for hosting an entrepreneurship-focused event at Creatively Black Baltimore that awarded $10,000 in prizes to local businesses.
  • National Chapter of Excellence Award for exceptional leadership development, community impact, membership growth, and fundraising.

Looking ahead, GBLA announced its 2025–2027 Executive Leadership Team and invited the community to its upcoming fundraiser, #Summer4Life: A Tropical Affair, on August 16 at Pleasant Yacht Club.

In closing, President Smith reminded attendees, “Let’s honor the excellence that drives our movement forward.”

For more information on GBLA’s programs and events, visit www.gbul.org.

Harold Booker Jr.
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Harold Booker Jr. is the founder and principal of DrewJenk Consulting, a boutique firm that specializes in project management, technology, and community engagement. He is also a frequent contributor to the Baltimore Times, writing about arts, culture, and social issues that connect personal history with community impact.

Harold Booker Jr. is the founder and principal of DrewJenk Consulting, a boutique firm that specializes in project management, technology, and community engagement. He is also a frequent contributor to...