#United States #Baltimore #Youth Development #Baltimore Fund #Community Exhibition

Baltimore Children & Youth Fund's Upcoming Learning Lab Community Exhibition

On June 3, 2025, the Baltimore Children & Youth Fund (BCYF) will be holding an enticing event — the Learning Lab Community Exhibition at Baltimore Unity Hall. This exhibition promises to be an engaging one-day event that will shine a spotlight on the tireless efforts and innovative ideas from Baltimore’s youth development leaders. Attendees will have the opportunities to engage with platforms that empower youth, through immersive storytelling, hands-on demonstrations, and interactive presentations.

The Community Exhibition aims to bring together local grassroots organizations and trailblazers, all of whom are creatively addressing the pressing challenges faced by the city’s youth. The event is more than just a showcase; it's a call to reimagine learning, leadership, and community investment, ultimately positioning Baltimore as a hub for transformative practices in nonprofit management and youth development.

At the heart of this event is the launch of #bcreds, a new online learning platform designed to offer accessible, high-quality education across various devices. According to BCYF, the platform has been specifically created to support the professional development of those involved in nonprofit organizations and youth work. #bcreds offers micro-credentials — short and skills-based learning modules that tackle real-world topics such as financial management, strategic planning, and program design. These self-paced courses are a crucial part of BCYF's ongoing commitment to help organizations not just initiate programs but also build sustainable operations around those initiatives.

The significance of this platform becomes apparent from the positive feedback of early pilot users, who have appreciated both its cultural relevance and practical application within their organizations. One user expressed their admiration for Brandy, the animated guide associated with the platform, noting that the representation offered comfort and inclusivity, essential elements in educational tools aimed at diverse communities. Another user shared their satisfaction with how #bcreds enhances financial transparency for organizations, allowing deeper understanding of financial flows, which is often obscured from staff members.

The Learning Lab Community Exhibition also serves as a culmination of six months of collaborative learning, with influences drawn from New Orleans and its acclaimed Youth Master Plan. Earlier this year, BCYF and its grantees participated in workshops designed to foster community discussions focused on the development of Baltimore's own Youth Master Plan. This strategic framework seeks to advance youth-centered progress and systemic change in the city. Through a combination of grantmaking practices that provide funding and invest in the growth of organizations via capacity-building opportunities, BCYF sets a precedent for how to support and uplift community-driven youth development efforts.

Attendees of this event can anticipate:

• - Exclusive Access: Interactions with youth and community leaders, featuring live testimonials that highlight their experiences and impacts.
• - Dynamic Visual Experiences: Engage with interactive exhibits showcasing the potential of the new credentialing tool.
• - Insight on #bcreds: A first-look at how this new platform will shape the future of youth development in Baltimore and beyond.
• - Understanding Equity-Centered Approaches: A deep dive into how Baltimore is pioneering community-led philanthropy nationally.

Alysia Lee, President and CEO of BCYF, enthusiastically emphasized the exhibition's intent: “The Learning Lab Community Exhibition celebrates the brilliance and leadership inherent within Baltimore's youth-serving ecosystem. By launching #bcreds alongside this showcase of innovative community solutions, we amplify voices, strengthen networks, and model true equity in action.”

For press inquiries or to RSVP for media access, journalists can reach out to Simone Blackman at [email protected].

About the Baltimore Children & Youth Fund

Established in 2015 as a response to the urgent issues exposed by the unrest following Freddie Gray's death in police custody, the Baltimore Children & Youth Fund has become pivotal in addressing inequities in funding for Black communities. By utilizing taxpayer contributions from Baltimore City residents, BCYF has granted over $31 million since 2020, enabling transformative initiatives and opportunities for the city's young people.