George Carter, b. 1983

2244 Cecil Avenue

George graduated from Lake Clifton/ Eastern High School (class of ‘01) for business management. As a kid, he spent just about all of his time playing basketball or some other type of productive activity at Cecil Kirk Rec center. He traveled every summer from the age of 7 until graduating high school to play basketball for Cecil Kirk. He was also part of the Recreation Education And Prevention program (REAP) where he was allowed to mentor and educate his peers on drug awareness, conflict resolution and other educational issues that occurred in the inner city. Now, he’s a founding member of the Midway Neighborhood Cooperative, where he plans to create and redevelop all of the opportunities he had as a child and more.

Merrell Hambleton, b. 1986

2239 Kirk Avenue

Originally from New York, Merrell has always had roots in Baltimore, where she came to visit her grandparents every summer. After moving to the city in 2014 to study Social Design at the Maryland Institute College of Art, she became increasingly interested and invested in her adopted neighborhood of Midway. In addition to her work with the MNC, Merrell works on community engagement with the Neighborhood Design Center. Previously, she produced public art projects with NY-based nonprofit Creative Time and artist Stephen Powers.

Brandon Johnson, b. 1991

Brandon grew up on Kirk Avenue, and it was through spending time in Midway that he first met Nick and began talking about the Midway Neighborhood Cooperative. He knew the program would be a great opportunity to help his community and to actually be a part of something that could result in change. Since working with the Coop, he’s gained skills, knowledge, friends, and stability. He’s grateful to the group for not only caring about the team but also our community.

Nicholas Wisniewski, b. 1982

Nick is an artist, activist and entrepreneur originally from Essex, MD. After receiving his BFA in painting from MICA in 2004, he worked on several socially engaged art projects in East Baltimore, and was awarded the 2009 Sonheim Art Prize. In 2010, along with a group of friends, he moved to Midway and founded the Compound, an artist-run residence and studio space. Nick has over 20 years of business and arts experience, and breath of skills, urban planning, property development, construction management, carpentry, cabinetry, fine art services, semiotics, and permaculture design to name a few.

Alex Haworth, b. 1985

Alex has been a resident of Greater Greenmount since 2010, and has over a decade of experience managing weatherization, energy efficiency, and environmental remediation projects in Baltimore and the surrounding are. His years spent meeting residents in their homes and listening to their needs, hopes and challenges has led him to a deep understanding of Baltimore's housing crisis and the need for community-led development. Alex is a certified BPI Building Analyst and Passive House Consultant.

Dewayne Venable, b. 19XX

Dewayne is a father of four who grew up in the Midway neighborhood on Kennedy Avenue. He earned his high school diploma and attended college in Baltimore. Wayne is also a CHIPP (Chicago Parenting Program)-certified leader and the founder of a nonprofit organization called The Difference.