Baltimore’s creative community took center stage last week as Visit Baltimore hosted its annual celebration recognizing leaders who are shaping the city’s cultural and tourism landscape. The event, themed Club Balto Comes Home, marked the return of Visit Baltimore’s nationwide campaign celebrating the city’s signature club music and creative energy. The gathering also highlighted the strength of Baltimore’s tourism industry and the individuals driving its continued success.
Among the honorees was The Baltimore Times Publisher Paris Brown, who received the Bridge Award for her leadership in media, storytelling, and community impact. The award recognized individuals who connect communities and elevate Baltimore’s national profile through creativity, collaboration, and innovation.
Brown’s recognition reflected her ongoing efforts to expand The Baltimore Times’ role as a platform for local voices and civic engagement. Through initiatives such as Creatively Black Baltimore, the region’s largest pop-up exhibition of Black art, and the newly launched Diabetes Restaurant Week, she helped build bridges between arts, health, and entrepreneurship while promoting Baltimore’s creative economy.
The event also honored Bowie State University President Dr. Aminta Breaux with the Charm City Champion Award for her advocacy of HBCUs and support in securing Baltimore as the host city for the CIAA Tournament through 2029. Former Visit Baltimore President and CEO Al Hutchinson received the William Donald Schaefer Visionary Tourism Award for his leadership in rebranding the organization and strengthening the city’s tourism partnerships.
Visit Baltimore reported that in 2024, the city welcomed more than 28.5 million visitors, generating over $4 billion in economic impact and more than 176,000 overnight hotel stays, boosting local businesses and hospitality employment.
The evening featured performances by Larry Caudle (DJ Larry Waddup) and Marquis Gasque (DJ Mighty Mark), two of Baltimore’s leading club music artists, as part of the Club Balto celebration. Visit Baltimore also shared a preview of The B-Side, a new community pride campaign developed in partnership with Wide Angle Youth Media, designed to highlight authentic Baltimore stories and strengthen local engagement.
The event underscored Baltimore’s growing reputation as a destination where culture, creativity, and community come together to inspire both residents and visitors alike.