Celebrating Diversity
We are dedicated to celebrating Baltimore’s diversity while practicing inclusive and equitable planning strategies for all meetings and events.
Diverse City
Baltimore is proud of its diverse history and heritage. Remnants of the immigration patterns that grew our population in the last two centuries are still visible in neighborhoods like Greektown, Pennsylvania Avenue and Little Italy—and today, Baltimore’s population is 61 percent Black and hosts growing segments of Hispanic and Asian residents.
Black Culture
Baltimore’s rich African American history has translated into a powerful Black culture today. And lately, we’ve been gaining recognition for our commitment to inclusivity. A recent study showed that Maryland has the nation’s highest rate of per-capita minority- and women-owned businesses. Baltimore is the proud host of the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association basketball tournament—made up of smaller historically Black colleges and universities.
“This is a place where it feels like Black History Month every day…” –The New York Times
LGBTQ+ Community
Baltimore is a place that celebrates creativity, embraces individuality and is welcoming to all. We’re known for our world-class cultural institutions and offbeat icons like hometown filmmaker John Waters. There’s even an entire museum dedicated to outsider artists located alongside the famous Inner Harbor, complete with a 10-foot-tall sculpture of drag queen Divine – the American Visionary Art Museum.
Be sure to add Mount Vernon to your itinerary—centered around the nation’s first Washington Monument—this National Landmark Historic District hosted the inaugural Baltimore Pride celebration in 1975 and continues as a cultural hub today. The LGBTQ+ community also has rich history in Charles Village, where many social activists and organizations called home in the 1970s and ’80s.
Resources
Visit Baltimore recently partnered with award-winning author, radio host and three-time New York Emmy-nominated documentary filmmaker Dr. Kaye Wise Whitehead to host a special session at the annual PCMA Convening Leaders industry conference. In the video below, Dr. Whitehead shares how we can all play a role in becoming more culturally responsive, followed by a discussion on actionable steps we can take to improve diversity, equity and inclusion in the business events industry.
We also created the Warm Welcome program, an initiative that provides free diversity, equity and inclusion training modules to area businesses that pledge to embrace all who enter their establishments regardless of age, race, gender expression, sexual orientation or religion.
Our free BoP Pass encourages guests to discover Baltimore’s Black museums, restaurants, shops and other cultural and historical attractions throughout the city through special discounts and exclusive offers. Access our Black-owned business directory to see a full list of Black-owned restaurants, stores, businesses and cultural attractions in Baltimore.
Below is a sampling of other local organizations committed to serving diverse communities:
Greater Baltimore Black Chamber of Commerce
Maryland Black Chamber of Commerce
Maryland Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
Get In Touch
Connect with the people and places that make Baltimore an unforgettable destination.
Laurie Nelson-Choice, CGMP
Director of Diversity and National Sales
[email protected]
202-588-8800
Laurie Nelson-Choice oversees group sales to associations, unions and government groups in the mid-Atlantic region, as well as religious, multicultural and LGBTQ+ groups nation-wide.
