Rooted in shared values, driven by Baltimore’s people. Reimagining a vibrant, inclusive public space that defines Baltimore’s next chapter
Our Story So Far
Reimagining the Harbor as a Hub is a visionary planning document and community research study hosted by UMBC’s Shriver Center. It outlines strategic recommendations for transforming Baltimore’s Inner Harbor from a commercial tourist space into an accessible, equitable central hub that fosters civic engagement, supports local economic opportunity, and connects surrounding neighborhoods to the waterfront.
Baltimore by Baltimore Hosted by the Waterfront Partnership of Baltimore at the Inner Harbor Amphitheater, Baltimore by Baltimore is a recurring waterfront festival series co-created and curated by Terrell Brown. Launched on June 4, 2022, the festival brings together local musicians, artisans, and food vendors to showcase authentic Baltimore culture, drive community economic growth, and activate public space through creative expression. The series recently celebrated its 5th anniversary.
Reimagining the Harbor as a Hub is an ongoing community engagement initiative collaborating with Baltimore’s waterfront during a pivotal period of transformation. Featured at the October 2026 Baltimore by Baltimore festival, the initiative fosters inter-university and community partnerships focused on local histories, neighborhood memories, and equitable placemaking.
Coalition of Urban and Metropolitan Universities (CUMU) Partnering with Terrell Brown, co-founder of Baltimore by Baltimore and Reimagining Baltimore Community Fellow, we have presented our collaborative work across three national gatherings including the 2023 and 2025 CUMU conferences. This ongoing engagement aligns with UMBC’s official commitment to the coalition, which the university joined in 2024.
Baltimore Harbor Collaborative Supported by UMBC’s Center for Democracy and Civic Life Breaking Ground initiative, we began engaging Baltimore higher education peers in Fall 2023 to explore the Inner Harbor’s connections to local colleges. Through this effort, we have hosted four events with Harbor-based nonprofits and university partners to foster inter-institutional collaboration and community engagement around the waterfront.