BMORENews celebrates founder Doni Glover’s 60th birthday, honors Baltimore media trailblazers  | FROUSA Media

By Kendra Bryant
AFRO Intern 

BMORENews.com celebrated Publisher Doni Glover’s 60th birthday and the Joe Manns Black Wall Street Awards on June 27 at Unity Hall in Baltimore.

“If you look in this room, from prince to pauper is here. That says a lot,” said Jackie Jones, honoree and dean of Morgan State University School of Global Journalism and Communication. She added of Glover, “He tells the truth, whether you like it or not. If people want to know if something is legit, they know to come to him.”

The benefit gathered Baltimore media pioneers, entrepreneurs and political figures to recognize the importance of the Black press. 

“Black media is important because it tells the truth,” said first lady of Maryland Dawn Moore. “That’s why honoring people like Doni and working with papers such as the AFRO is so important.” 

With the theme of “Reinvention. Resilience. Relevance,” the Black Wall Street awardees represented generations of excellence. Some of the awardees included former Maryland Court of Appeals Chief Judge Robert M. Bell, and WBAL-TV 11 anchor and reporter Barry Sims.

“We need to teach the next generation what resilience is,” said former executive director of the Reginald F. Lewis Museum, Wanda Draper.

Many of the journalists among the cadre of honorees discussed the hardships – but also the necessity – of sharing the stories within their communities. 

“It’s always someone’s experience that you’re reporting,” said Barry Simms, honoree and WBAL-TV 11 News anchor and reporter. “It’s never just a story.”

Added Jones, “Newspapers may be dying, but the need for news is always going to be there.”

Guests enjoyed musical selections from saxophonist Craig Alston and violinist Khalil Campbell. 

Soul food classics were served, along with Glover’s favorite Maryland crab soup, catered by Chef Eric. He was often spotted encouraging guests to try it. 

“Did you try some of that soup?” Glover asked a group of attendees. “Be sure to get yourself some of that crab soup from over there on the table.” 

Glover is a notable news talk show host with 19 years in the media industry. Glover is the founder of DMGlobal Marketing and Public Relations, The Black Wall Street Series and BMORENews.com. 

Glover’s work sheds light on changemakers in Baltimore. He dedicates his willingness to uplift others to his late mother, Lillie Glover. 

“Our last Thanksgiving, I remember eating my pineapple upside down cake, and she came over my right shoulder with two plates wrapped in foil. I asked her, ‘What am I supposed to do with this?’” said Glover. “Silly me. She told me to give it to somebody, anybody.” 

In the spirit of family, Glover also celebrated his recent graduation from Morgan State University with his daughter, Coppin State University graduate, Nyinde Glover.

“It’s been a beautiful pleasure to meet everyone and to see everyone come out for him,” said Nyinde. “I’ve been listening in and everyone has said nothing but good things.” 

The night ended with guests singing “Happy Birthday” and Glover blowing out the candles of his birthday cake with one wish: “I wish that we love each other.”