What began as a modest project to celebrate Baltimore and uplift our young scholars blossomed into something far more powerful earlier this month. Who would have imagined portraits of Regina Hammond and her husband, Keith hanging just steps away from internationally acclaimed artwork in the Baltimore Museum of Art? Mrs. Hammond is president of the ReBuild Johnston Square Neighborhood Organization, and her husband is a dedicated volunteer in Johnston Square – a community they have called home for more than 40 years and one that continues to show us what transformation looks like when rooted in love, leadership and legacy.

The portraits of the Hammonds are part of the Baltimore Heroes collection painted by retired educator Mary Jo Messenger. I first saw her work at the Humanim Building in the heart of the 45th District. Her paintings stopped me in my tracks—there was something deeply familiar and powerful about how she captured the spirit of everyday people. A few months later, after she completed a painting of me reading to my sons, CJ and Bryson, on our front porch, I offered to pick it up from her home. During that visit, I thanked her for the gift and told her to let me know if she ever needed anything. Our conversation sparked a vision that unfolded organically: portraits that celebrate Baltimore’s everyday heroes and inspire our young people.

Mary Jo didn’t stop at 12. She completed 21 portraits of Baltimore Heroes—everyday people who uplift, protect, and unify our communities. Initially, we imagined the paintings might rotate through schools to spark pride and storytelling. But with the help of several partners, we built something even more powerful: The Baltimore Heroes exhibition, unveiled to the public on March 29 at the Baltimore Museum of Art.

Though her initial list included well-known Maryland and Baltimore figures, Mary Jo’s collaborative spirit and humility shined. I suggested we center our neighbors—Baltimore’s unsung heroes—whose names may never make headlines, but whose presence shapes futures every single day.

Among the neighborhoods throughout the 45th District demonstrating remarkable progress, I turned to residents of Belair-Edison and Johnston Square, where the Hammonds live. The progress is evident—in schools, in safety, in housing and in civic life. Their suggestions revealed the soul of our city: people whose quiet commitment makes all the difference.

People such as Rita Crews, who has lived in Belair-Edison for decades and serves as community association president. For years, I’ve known her as the voice of her neighbors, affectionately calling her the “Mayor of Belair-Edison.” She has been a steady advocate, including championing the construction of a new playground for the neighborhood’s young scholars.

Then there’s Principal Baba Olumiji – “Principal O” to those who know him – who leads Johnston Square Elementary School. Under his leadership, the school has significantly improved attendance and literacy rates. In a community where most students live below the poverty line, he carries the weight of not just his students’ educational needs but often their families’ challenges as well.

This exhibition became more than a showcase of talent—it became a convening of our collective spirit. The unveiling brought out educators, church leaders, community activists and longtime residents who have poured into our neighborhoods for decades. They stood shoulder to shoulder with students, families, and elected officials—all bound by a shared commitment to uplift our city.

After their museum showcase, these portraits will find permanent homes in the Enoch Pratt Free Libraries serving both communities—ensuring the stories of these everyday heroes remain visible to generations to come. While Belair-Edison will soon receive their installation, Johnston Square will follow after the completion of a transformative development that includes a new branch of the library. Rising between Biddle and Chase Streets along Greenmount Avenue, this mixed-use project—built on what were once 42 vacant lots—will house 109 new apartments and a library branch.

Last fall, I stood beside Regina Hammond as we cut the ribbon on 15 renovated homes just steps away—now offering affordable housing for educators and community members. Thanks to the tireless efforts of the Hammonds and ReBuild Metro, Johnston Square continues its steady rise, turning neglect into opportunity and despair into dignity.

These portraits remind us that heroism doesn’t always wear a cape or come with a prestigious title. Sometimes, it looks like a community association president fighting for a playground or a principal extending his reach beyond classroom walls. In celebrating these everyday heroes, we honor their contributions and illuminate a path for others to follow, showing that each of us has the power to shape our city’s story.

This exhibit is a love letter to Baltimore’s neighborhoods—proof that progress is possible when people believe in each other. It’s not just about portraits on the wall. It’s about who we choose to uplift, and what kind of future we dare to imagine together.