2020 Baltimore County Democratic Party
Virtual Unity Celebration
Virtual Unity Celebration
At the 2020 Annual Baltimore County Democratic State Central Committee Unity Event on December 5, 2020, the BCDSCC honored five Baltimore County Democrats who have worked for years to serve their communities and the ideals of the Democratic Party.
Chair of the Baltimore County Party, Crystal Francis served as host to the themed event, The Power of Unity, with over 200 virtual attendees on hand. The Keynote Speaker was Dr. Jamal Bryant, Senior Pastor of the New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in DeKalb County Georgia. Other speakers included Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen of the United States Senate, Maryland; John Sarbanes, Kweisi Mfume, and Dutch Ruppersberger of the U.S. House of Representatives; Adrienne Jones, Speaker of the House of the Maryland General Assembly, John Olszewski, Jr., the Baltimore County Executive, Yvette Lewis, the Maryland Democratic Party Chair and Keenen Geter of the Young Democrats of Maryland
Guests enjoyed a Musical Tribute of Maryland My Maryland, composed and performed by Congressman Jamie Raskin, a comedy performance from local comedian, Larry Lancaster, and a hilarious improvisation show, “The Debate” that featured improv veterans - Jason Garber, Eva Lewis, Kiki Andersen, Michael Furr, and Anne Akhila.
The 2000 Unity Event award winners were:
Ground-breaking Legislation Award: Honorable Julian E. Jones, Jr.
Councilman Julian Jones was elected to the County Council in 2014. A community leader, former PTA President of Hernwood Elementary School, member of the Caucus of African American Leaders and former member of the Baltimore County Democratic Central Committee, Councilman Jones has been determined to bring about change that positively impacts our community as a whole and pass legislation that will undoubtedly move our community in a more prosperous direction.
Labor Award: Glennard Middleton, Sr.
Mr. Glennard Middleton, Sr. is the Executive Director of the American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees, Council 67 in Baltimore, Maryland. He is the President of Maryland Public Employees, Local 44 and was elected International Vice President in 1986 for the Capital District (covering Washington D.C., Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia). He has been active in workers’ rights, community, and political organizations and has served Maryland for over 28 years. His work supports the vital services that make America happen. Advocating for America’s working families, he has fought for policies that improve the quality of life for laborers who maintain our roads, frontline workers who care for the sick and elderly and make our schools good places to learn, and first responders who keep our communities safe
Other Labor Award nominees: Cindy Sexton, President, Teachers Association of Baltimore County and Lance Killpatrick, Political Director, AFSCME Council 3
Leadership Award: Jill Hornstein
Ms. Jill Hornstein is a local community activist who heads two very robust activist groups. She shares administration duties for Together We Will Baltimore, which was founded November 10, 2016. TWW has grown to over 4000 members. Its goal is to provide education on the issues that promote & protect the rights of all marginalized people, affordable healthcare for everyone, environmental and social justice within local government up to the federal level. TWW works to keep its members educated on state and national politics and provides avenues for participation. Jill founded Postcards4 Maryland-Promoting Democracy through handwritten postcards. Initiated in September 2018, the group of 555 members is dedicated to writing postcards with the national group, Postcards to Voters, to help get out the vote and to get more Democrats elected. Maryland writers participated in over 100 writing campaigns to elect Democrats in down ballot elections in 29 different states.
Other Leadership Award nominees: Aaron Plymouth, Recording Secretary, 10th District Democratic Club and Jason Johnson, CEO, Black Wall Street Charm City
Democratic Advocate Award, Central Committee: George E. White
Mr. George White is a member of Baltimore County Democratic Central Committee representing district 44B. Before being appointed as a voting member in 2019, George attended regular meetings as a guest to assist where needed and volunteer his expertise in photography, videography, and social media. George currently serves as the Sergeant at Arms, Co-Chair of the Communications Subcommittee, and member of the By-laws Subcommittee. George is well known in the local community and political circles as a dependable, committed volunteer. George is very enthusiastic, always has a positive attitude and really enjoys serving others.
Other Democratic Advocate nominees from the Central Committee: Danny Blount, Bishop Barry Chapman, Aisha Khan, Danyell Smith
Democratic Advocate Award, Community Member: Kenny C. Brown
Mr. Kenny Brown believes that an informed community is a stronger, empowered community. He is a marketing, media, and political consultant with more than 30 years in the communications, PR, direct mail, and publishing industry. Pursuing a lifelong dream, in 2005 Kenny launched the Northwest Voice, a monthly newspaper covering news, politics and community life in northwest Baltimore. With the economic downturn, the newspaper ceased publication in 2009, then relaunched in 2015. With a strong belief that communities will thrive when they are politically engaged and informed, Kenny organizes political forums to educate the community on the issues, as well as state, local and federal candidates, and their views. He is frequently sought after for advice on political strategy, which he is often glad to do for new and young candidates looking to launch their first campaign for elected office.
Other Democratic Award nominee: Allies for PA 2020 (Allies' network of more than 700 volunteer activists working to flip PA)
The BCDSCC wishes to thank all the sponsors, guests, and participants for making The Power of Unity our most successful yearly event of all time. We would like to especially recognize the following individuals who, without your contribution and activism we would not be able to do the work that is so critical to moving Baltimore County and Maryland forward.
Platinum Sponsors
Citizens for Adrienne Jones
John Holman
Silver Sponsors
Paul Konka
Friends of Delores Kelley
Friends of John Olszewski, Jr.
Bronze Sponsors
AFSCME -American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees
Representative Dutch Rupperberger
Representative John Sarbanes
Benjamin Brooks
Katie Dott
Crystal Francis
Friends of Kathy Klausmeier
Tracy Miller
District 11 - Clarence Lam, Eric Ebersole, Jessica Feldmark, Terri Hill
District 12- Shelly Hettleman, Lisa Belcastro, Jon Cardin, Dana Stein
District 42 - Cathi Forbes and Michele Guyton
Sponsors
Delegate Carl Jackson
Local Union No. 24 IBEW - The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local Union 24
Indivisible Towson
Chair of the Baltimore County Party, Crystal Francis served as host to the themed event, The Power of Unity, with over 200 virtual attendees on hand. The Keynote Speaker was Dr. Jamal Bryant, Senior Pastor of the New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in DeKalb County Georgia. Other speakers included Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen of the United States Senate, Maryland; John Sarbanes, Kweisi Mfume, and Dutch Ruppersberger of the U.S. House of Representatives; Adrienne Jones, Speaker of the House of the Maryland General Assembly, John Olszewski, Jr., the Baltimore County Executive, Yvette Lewis, the Maryland Democratic Party Chair and Keenen Geter of the Young Democrats of Maryland
Guests enjoyed a Musical Tribute of Maryland My Maryland, composed and performed by Congressman Jamie Raskin, a comedy performance from local comedian, Larry Lancaster, and a hilarious improvisation show, “The Debate” that featured improv veterans - Jason Garber, Eva Lewis, Kiki Andersen, Michael Furr, and Anne Akhila.
The 2000 Unity Event award winners were:
Ground-breaking Legislation Award: Honorable Julian E. Jones, Jr.
Councilman Julian Jones was elected to the County Council in 2014. A community leader, former PTA President of Hernwood Elementary School, member of the Caucus of African American Leaders and former member of the Baltimore County Democratic Central Committee, Councilman Jones has been determined to bring about change that positively impacts our community as a whole and pass legislation that will undoubtedly move our community in a more prosperous direction.
Labor Award: Glennard Middleton, Sr.
Mr. Glennard Middleton, Sr. is the Executive Director of the American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees, Council 67 in Baltimore, Maryland. He is the President of Maryland Public Employees, Local 44 and was elected International Vice President in 1986 for the Capital District (covering Washington D.C., Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia). He has been active in workers’ rights, community, and political organizations and has served Maryland for over 28 years. His work supports the vital services that make America happen. Advocating for America’s working families, he has fought for policies that improve the quality of life for laborers who maintain our roads, frontline workers who care for the sick and elderly and make our schools good places to learn, and first responders who keep our communities safe
Other Labor Award nominees: Cindy Sexton, President, Teachers Association of Baltimore County and Lance Killpatrick, Political Director, AFSCME Council 3
Leadership Award: Jill Hornstein
Ms. Jill Hornstein is a local community activist who heads two very robust activist groups. She shares administration duties for Together We Will Baltimore, which was founded November 10, 2016. TWW has grown to over 4000 members. Its goal is to provide education on the issues that promote & protect the rights of all marginalized people, affordable healthcare for everyone, environmental and social justice within local government up to the federal level. TWW works to keep its members educated on state and national politics and provides avenues for participation. Jill founded Postcards4 Maryland-Promoting Democracy through handwritten postcards. Initiated in September 2018, the group of 555 members is dedicated to writing postcards with the national group, Postcards to Voters, to help get out the vote and to get more Democrats elected. Maryland writers participated in over 100 writing campaigns to elect Democrats in down ballot elections in 29 different states.
Other Leadership Award nominees: Aaron Plymouth, Recording Secretary, 10th District Democratic Club and Jason Johnson, CEO, Black Wall Street Charm City
Democratic Advocate Award, Central Committee: George E. White
Mr. George White is a member of Baltimore County Democratic Central Committee representing district 44B. Before being appointed as a voting member in 2019, George attended regular meetings as a guest to assist where needed and volunteer his expertise in photography, videography, and social media. George currently serves as the Sergeant at Arms, Co-Chair of the Communications Subcommittee, and member of the By-laws Subcommittee. George is well known in the local community and political circles as a dependable, committed volunteer. George is very enthusiastic, always has a positive attitude and really enjoys serving others.
Other Democratic Advocate nominees from the Central Committee: Danny Blount, Bishop Barry Chapman, Aisha Khan, Danyell Smith
Democratic Advocate Award, Community Member: Kenny C. Brown
Mr. Kenny Brown believes that an informed community is a stronger, empowered community. He is a marketing, media, and political consultant with more than 30 years in the communications, PR, direct mail, and publishing industry. Pursuing a lifelong dream, in 2005 Kenny launched the Northwest Voice, a monthly newspaper covering news, politics and community life in northwest Baltimore. With the economic downturn, the newspaper ceased publication in 2009, then relaunched in 2015. With a strong belief that communities will thrive when they are politically engaged and informed, Kenny organizes political forums to educate the community on the issues, as well as state, local and federal candidates, and their views. He is frequently sought after for advice on political strategy, which he is often glad to do for new and young candidates looking to launch their first campaign for elected office.
Other Democratic Award nominee: Allies for PA 2020 (Allies' network of more than 700 volunteer activists working to flip PA)
The BCDSCC wishes to thank all the sponsors, guests, and participants for making The Power of Unity our most successful yearly event of all time. We would like to especially recognize the following individuals who, without your contribution and activism we would not be able to do the work that is so critical to moving Baltimore County and Maryland forward.
Platinum Sponsors
Citizens for Adrienne Jones
John Holman
Silver Sponsors
Paul Konka
Friends of Delores Kelley
Friends of John Olszewski, Jr.
Bronze Sponsors
AFSCME -American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees
Representative Dutch Rupperberger
Representative John Sarbanes
Benjamin Brooks
Katie Dott
Crystal Francis
Friends of Kathy Klausmeier
Tracy Miller
District 11 - Clarence Lam, Eric Ebersole, Jessica Feldmark, Terri Hill
District 12- Shelly Hettleman, Lisa Belcastro, Jon Cardin, Dana Stein
District 42 - Cathi Forbes and Michele Guyton
Sponsors
Delegate Carl Jackson
Local Union No. 24 IBEW - The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local Union 24
Indivisible Towson
| 2020_unity_celebration_program.pdf |
