Ten Fellows Join the 2026 Bunting Neighborhood Leadership Program
The Johns Hopkins Urban Health Institute is proud to welcome the 2026 Bunting Fellows of the Bunting Neighborhood Leadership Program (BNLP)! Now in its seventh cohort, BNLP continues to grow as a leadership initiative making an impact across Baltimore communities. This year’s 10 fellows represent a new generation of leaders committed to driving transformational change in the city. Over the next 30 weeks, they will be equipped with the knowledge, skills, and tools to strengthen communities and advance health equity. Learn more about the 2026 BNLP Fellows here!
The fellowship launched with a two-day orientation retreat filled with inspiration, history, and connection. On Friday, September 19, fellows heard from many incredible community leaders on building a stronger Baltimore and carrying forward a vision for “The Black Butterfly”. Among the highlights was a call to leadership from Dr. Andrey Bundley, Director of the Mayor’s Office of African American Male Engagement and Co-founder of We Our Us; and Rev. Dr. Bob Bingham, Pastor Emeritus of Grace City Church and Board Member of We Our Us. They emphasized that leadership must be rooted in community, standing with and for one another, and reflected how We Our Us is building a culture of health and collective care across neighborhoods.
From left to right: Dr. Andrey Bundley and Rev. Dr. Bob Bingham.
2026 Bunting Fellows and BNLP Associate Director Dr. Lindsay Thompson, along with BNLP Program Admin Shardé Knight, with speakers Shauntée Daniels, Krista Green, and Angela Stewart.
Dr. Lawrence T. Brown, Hopkins Press.
The retreat also included a session on Baltimore Black History and Culture, where Shauntée Daniels, Executive Director of the Baltimore National Heritage Area; Krista Green, Executive Director of the Mount Clare Museum; and Angela Stewart, Community Engagement Specialist with the National Park Service, led a conversation celebrating Baltimore Black Genius. They shared how Black innovation and labor shaped the city’s industries and infrastructure, while raising critical issues such as land access and preserving community history. Building on this foundation, Dr. Lawrence T. Brown, Founder of the Black Butterfly Academy, shifted the conversation to the politics of health and wealth, underscoring how structural inequities continue to shape Baltimore today.
The day closed with a reception at the Thurgood Marshall Amenity Center, where Rev. Dr. Al Hathaway, Founder and President of Beloved Community Services Corporation, welcomed the fellows, followed by a dynamic panel on the State of Black Baltimore moderated by 2021 BNLP Fellow Darryl Perry, featuring Diane Bell-McKoy, President of Transactions to Transformation; Paulo Gregory Harris, Founder of Cohado; Rashad Staton (2018 BNLP Fellow); and Olu Butterfly (2023 BNLP Fellow).
Rev. Dr. Al Hathaway presenting to the 2026 Bunting Fellows.
State of Black Baltimore panel moderated by 2021 BNLP Fellow Darryl Perry (far right). Panelists from left to right: Paulo Gregory Harris, Olu Butterfly, Diane Bell-McKoy, and Rashad Staton.
After an inspiring first day, the fellows turned their attention on Saturday to East Baltimore. At the Johns Hopkins Carey Business School, they prepared for a teamwork exercise to help them better understand the neighborhoods they will be working in. Fellows were asked to observe the community landscape, considering how the built environment supports or hinders health, and what factors shape daily life for residents. This fieldwork exercise took them into three neighborhoods: Historic Jonestown, Perkins, and Upper Fells Point. Along the way, they built bonds and reflected on the leadership paths ahead. “I am super excited about BNLP,” shared Gilbryonna “Gilly” Shaw. “As leaders, so many times we don’t have our own safe space to connect and collaborate on ideas. I feel like I made a million connections in less than 48 hours, and I’m really excited about that.”
Others echoed the importance of collaboration. “It’s the connections, the history about the city that I grew up in, and building my social capital,” said Gregory Collins Jr. “It’s been a wealth of information. The energy in the room has been great. You’d think we all knew each other longer than a day.”
Jamal Turner added, “Being able to have this cohort of other leaders who can pour into me just as much as I can into them means a lot. I’m looking forward to my group going out into the community and doing work. That’s where I thrive.”
For some, BNLP is already shaping new ways of thinking. “This is expanding my growth as a woman and an entrepreneur,” said Keyona Hough. “Speaking with other leaders and bringing ideas together will be so valuable for my journey. I’m also learning things about Baltimore I didn’t know before. Resources and opportunities I can now share with my family and community.”
2026 Bunting Fellows Keyona Hough and Sache Jones
Dr. Lindsay Thompson, BNLP Associate Director, presenting to the 2026 Bunting Fellows during first day orientation retreat.
The 2026 BNLP Fellows bring diverse experiences and deep passion to the program, and we are excited to see how they will grow, lead, and create impact across Baltimore in the months ahead. Dr. Lindsay Thompson, PhD, BNLP Associate Director, noted that this year’s fellowship brings more active community engagement, especially in the Black Butterfly. “Saturday’s fieldwork was just the beginning,” she said. “Fellows will be doing a deep dive into these neighborhoods, gaining observational and relational skills, applying social determinants of health lenses, and strengthening teamwork.”
Follow along with us as we share more of their journey this year and join us in celebrating the 2026 cohort as they continue to make their mark. Click here to stay connected and explore more.