The Spirit of Baltimore

In the wake of Freddie Gray’s tragic death and the subsequent civil unrest in Baltimore in April 2015, the Obama administration took decisive action to address the deep-seated issues plaguing the city. Recognizing the urgent need for economic revitalization and social reform, President Obama announced a comprehensive $1.8 billion aid package aimed at transforming Baltimore. This initiative sought to improve infrastructure, housing, education, health services, and job opportunities, marking a significant federal commitment to the city’s future. This timeline details the implementation and impact of the aid, highlighting the milestones and achievements of this transformative effort.

Timeline of the $1.8 Billion Aid to Baltimore

April 2015

April 25, 2015: Freddie Gray, a 25-year-old African American man, died in police custody, leading to widespread protests and civil unrest in Baltimore.

April 27, 2015: Following Gray’s funeral, riots broke out in Baltimore. The situation escalated, prompting a state of emergency declaration and the activation of the National Guard.

May 2015

May 1, 2015: President Obama responded to the crisis, condemning the violence but also emphasizing the need to address the underlying issues of poverty and lack of opportunity in communities like Baltimore.

May 4, 2015: The Obama administration announced the allocation of a $1.8 billion aid package aimed at supporting economic development and addressing social issues in Baltimore.

June 2015

June 9, 2015: The Obama administration outlined the specifics of the aid package. Key components included:
– $600 million: For a new youth center and job training programs.
– $500 million: For transportation infrastructure improvements, including the expansion of public transit options.
– $300 million: For affordable housing initiatives and community development projects.
– $250 million: For education, focusing on improving school facilities and resources.
– $150 million: For health and wellness programs, including mental health services and substance abuse treatment.

June 25, 2015: Federal agencies, including the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the Department of Transportation (DOT), began coordinating with local Baltimore officials to implement the aid programs effectively.

2016

January 2016: Initial funds were disbursed to kickstart job training programs and the construction of the youth center.

April 2016: Infrastructure projects, including road repairs and public transit expansions, began across the city.

September 2016: Affordable housing projects broke ground, aimed at providing new housing units and renovating existing ones.

November 2016: The first phase of educational improvements was completed, with several schools receiving new resources and facility upgrades.

2017

March 2017: Health and wellness programs were launched, providing increased access to mental health services and substance abuse treatment.

July 2017: The first comprehensive report on the progress of the aid package was released, highlighting successes in job creation, housing development, and infrastructure improvements.

October 2017: Further investments were made into community development projects, including the establishment of new community centers and recreational facilities.

Conclusion

The $1.8 billion aid package from the Obama administration significantly contributed to addressing some of the socio-economic challenges faced by Baltimore. While the full impact of these initiatives will take years to be fully realized, the immediate investments in infrastructure, housing, education, and health provided much-needed support to the community.

People featured in this post:


Barack Obama

American politician who served as the 44th president of the United States from 2009 to 2017


Freddie Gray

a 25-year-old African American, was arrested by the Baltimore Police Department for possession of a knife

This Princess Knows What It Is To Fight for Her Rights As A Woman

It Happened on
June 24, 1908

From The Jersey Journal Wed, Jun 24, 1908, Page 9

Few women have had more trouble establishing their right to live and to work out the talent given to them by an all-wise Creator, than Princess Lwoff-Parlagny (Vilma Par-laghy) in her career as an artist. The Princess is currently in Washington, D.C., where she has gone to meet the directors of the National Art Gallery, who will decide upon a statesman for her to paint a portrait of. This portrait will be presented to the National Gallery.

Even as a little girl, she exhibited such a genius for art that her parents provided her with all available advantages in Budapest.

Vilma Parlaghy was born in Hajdu Dorog, Hungary, in the seventies. Even as a little girl, she exhibited such a genius for art that her parents provided her with all available advantages in Budapest. At the age of fourteen, she was taken to Munich to study under the famous Von Lenbach. However, Von Lenbach, who took few pupils and especially did not wish to be bothered with a girl, was initially reluctant to teach her. Piqued, Vilma set up her own studio and made a copy of one of Von Lenbach’s noted paintings, which so amazed him that he consented to teach her.

Two coyotes, pelicans, guinea pigs, falcons, crocodiles, monkeys, squirrels, and horned owls are among her collection

From Munich, she went to Italy, where, at the age of sixteen, she painted the portrait of the aged Hungarian patriot, Kossuth, who was living in Turin. She also studied in the Holland school. Twelve years ago, she sent a large oil portrait of Field Marshal von Moltke to the Berlin exhibition of paintings. Initially declined by the jury, the Emperor himself overruled and ordered the picture to be hung on the line. The Emperor then posed for Vilma Parlaghy for his now well-known picture in the Dragoon Guards’ uniform. The Princess has painted five portraits of the Kaiser.

Among other famous persons who have sat for her are Queen Carola of Saxony, King Albert of Saxony, King Peter of Serbia, the King and Queen of Württemberg, Princess Bismarck, Admiral Dewey, and Mirza Aly Khan, Grand Vizer of Persia.

The Princess travels with a menagerie of wild animals, of which she is very fond. Two coyotes, pelicans, guinea pigs, falcons, crocodiles, monkeys, squirrels, and horned owls are among her collection. The Princess and her family (including the animals and birds) will spend the summer at fashionable Newport. In the fall, they will return to Washington, where the Princess will paint the picture for the National Gallery.

Featuring: National Art Gallery, Von Lenbach, Hungarian patriot, Kossuth, Field Marshal von Moltke, The Emperor Kaiser Wilhelm II, Queen Carola of Saxony, King Albert of Saxony, King Peter of Serbia, King and Queen of Württemberg, Princess Bismarck, Admiral Dewey, and Mirza Aly Khan, Grand Vizer of Persia.

Original article