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In this episode of Let's Talk Civilly, hosts Cleveland Horton II, Gabi Cortez, and Markyta Sirett celebrate National Black Business Month with special guest Chrissy M. Thornton, President & CEO of Associated Black Charities (ABC).
Together, they dive deep into the real-world impact of systemic economic barriers, the power of community disinvestment, and how ABC’s REACT initiative and Ladder Economic Mobility Framework are driving sustainable equity across Maryland. The panel also discusses the role of Black-owned businesses in stabilizing local communities, navigating federal pushbacks, and the critical shift from basic business ownership to building generational wealth.
In this episode, we cover:
00:00 - Host intros & National Black Business Month icebreaker: Favorite Black-owned restaurants
08:11 - Associated Black Charities (ABC) mission & history in Baltimore
10:07 - ABC's REACT Initiative & Ladder Economic Mobility Framework
17:40 - 5-Year Strategy & measuring tangible economic progress
28:28 - Navigating corporate defunding & executive orders 38:00 - Mid-Show Break: MCCR Gala Ticket Raffle Details!
40:25 - How local Black businesses stabilize neglected neighborhoods
48:30 - Cooperative economics, capacity building, and scaling Black businesses
56:25 - The 1985 Society & how to support Associated Black Charities
58:03 - MCCR resources, civil rights complaint filing, and sign-off
Resources & Links Mentioned:
Maryland Commission on Civil Rights (MCCR): www.mccr.maryland.gov
Associated Black Charities (ABC): www.associatedblackcharities.org
Follow MCCR on Instagram & LinkedIn: @MDCivilRights
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