In the heart of West Baltimore, within the historic Thurgood Marshall Amenity Center, a revolutionary project was set to transform the future of underserved communities through technology and education. Backed by $4 million in federal funding, STEM City Baltimore aimed to launch the city’s first data farm and provide life-changing opportunities for hundreds of high school students. The project, advocated by Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin, was designed to offer artificial intelligence (AI) certification programs, positioning students for careers in one of the most lucrative and rapidly growing fields.
Unfortunately, despite its immense potential, the earmarked funding was slashed in committee. Yet, the program's champions refuse to let this vision fade. Maryland State Senator Cory McCray has stepped up, working tirelessly to secure alternative funding to ensure that STEM City Baltimore becomes a reality.
At its core, STEM City Baltimore was designed to tackle some of the most persistent challenges facing the city: poverty, unemployment, and the widening digital divide. The initiative would not only create a data farm in one of Baltimore’s poorest neighborhoods but also train more than 250 high school students in the high-demand field of artificial intelligence. These students would receive certifications enabling them to step into jobs with starting salaries above $70,000—an opportunity that could change the trajectory of their lives and significantly impact the economic health of the entire region.
A Vision for Economic Empowerment
The vision for STEM City Baltimore followed the success of a similar initiative in Chicago. There, the establishment of a data farm, paired with educational programs, has generated millions of dollars in returns on investment. By providing students with training in AI, data science, and related fields, Chicago's program has bridged the gap between education and employment, creating a sustainable pipeline of talent that fuels both the local economy and the tech sector. Baltimore’s iteration of the program promised similar outcomes: a projected $12 million economic impact in its first year alone, fueled by high-paying jobs, increased local spending, and the attraction of new businesses to the area.
Senators Van Hollen and Cardin, recognizing the importance of equipping underserved communities with tools to participate in the digital economy, fought hard to secure funding for the project. The data farm would serve as a cornerstone, providing infrastructure for data storage and processing while creating job opportunities for both students and adults. But it was the AI certification program that truly set STEM City apart.
“We’re not just talking about jobs—we’re talking about careers that can lift families out of poverty,” said Senator Van Hollen. “This is about giving our students a future in industries that are defining the 21st century.”
Addressing Economic Inequities in Black Communities
The urgency of programs like STEM City Baltimore becomes even more apparent when considering the stark economic disparities facing Black communities across the United States. Currently, only 3% of businesses in the U.S. are Black-owned, and of those, less than 10% generate more than $1 million in revenue per year. This reflects a systemic challenge: while Black Americans have significant spending power as consumers, much of that income flows outward into businesses owned by others, perpetuating a cycle of economic dependence.
“We are a consumer class with a mass income that goes to everyone else,” said Tyrone Taborn, Publisher and Managing Editor at Career Communications Group, and a key advocate for STEM City Baltimore. “We have an opportunity to turn this around. Projects like this give us the power to build wealth within our own communities by providing the tools and resources we need to succeed.”
The stark statistics about Black business ownership underscore the need for more than just moral support for such initiatives. As Taborn pointed out, “Van Hollen and Ben Cardin clearly support our community. But we need more than support. We need resources—real, tangible investments that will help us build the infrastructure to empower our people.”
STEM City Baltimore seeks to address these disparities by giving Black youth access to high-paying, future-focused careers in technology. By offering AI certification and tech training, the program is designed to equip students with the skills to enter high-growth industries that have historically been out of reach for many in underserved communities. Graduates of the program would not only have the opportunity to enter jobs with competitive salaries, but they could also become part of a larger movement to increase Black representation in the tech industry, helping close the wealth gap and create a more equitable economy.
A Roadblock—and a Path Forward
Despite the undeniable potential of STEM City Baltimore, the proposed funding was eliminated in committee, a blow to those who had worked tirelessly to bring the project to life. However, Maryland State Senator Cory McCray has taken up the mantle, seeking new avenues of financial support. McCray has made it clear that this project is too important to let die.
“STEM City Baltimore isn’t just an educational initiative—it’s an economic imperative,” McCray said. “We cannot afford to leave our communities behind. We are looking at every option, from state funding to private partnerships, to ensure that this program moves forward.”
McCray’s push for alternative funding has included exploring public-private partnerships, applying for state and federal grants, and engaging with local businesses to support the initiative. His efforts are backed by local leaders and community organizations who recognize that investing in AI education can have far-reaching impacts on the local economy and the future of Baltimore’s youth.
A Future for STEM City
While the immediate future of STEM City Baltimore remains uncertain, the drive to bring this initiative to life is unwavering. The project's advocates know that this is not just about technology—it’s about equity. As automation and AI reshape the economy, underserved communities must have access to the education and tools needed to compete. The stakes are too high to allow the project to fall by the wayside.
Taborn, who has been instrumental in pushing for tech-based educational programs across the country, remains optimistic. “This is about changing the narrative,” he said. “It’s about ensuring that communities like West Baltimore are at the forefront of technological advancement, not left behind.”
In the coming months, McCray and other stakeholders will continue to seek out the resources needed to bring STEM City Baltimore to fruition. The hope is that, with renewed efforts, the program will move forward and serve as a model for similar initiatives in other cities.
As Baltimore waits for the next chapter in the STEM City story, one thing is clear: the vision of creating opportunities through technology, education, and economic investment is too important to ignore. The future of underserved communities like West Baltimore depends on it.