BLACK MARYLANDERS 2025

The Baltimore Sun celebrates Black History Month by honoring 25 leaders who help shape the state.

March 1, 2025

Each Sunday throughout the month of February, The Baltimore Sun showcased a selection of winners and their stories. This year’s honorees included up-and-comers, established voices and people making marks in new careers. The honorees were chosen by The Sun’s editors and reporters, who cover these topics and communities and see the progress these individuals are making in their fields.

Two of our very own were selected for this honor, Sister Rita Michelle Proctor of the Oblate Sisters of Providence and Messay Hailemariam, Head Football Coach.

Sister Rita Michelle Proctor

The Baltimore Sun is highlighting Sister Rita this Black History Month as one of Maryland's influential leaders. Through her years as a nun, the current Superior General of the Oblate Sisters of Providence has challenged and improved generations of children in her roles as everything from a basketball coach and classroom teacher to a hard-driving principal in the city’s Catholic school system.

Check out the full story at The Baltimore Sun:

The Baltimore Sun is acknowledging Messay Hailemariam during Black History Month as one of Maryland’s key changemakers. His Saint Frances Academy football team finished the year ranked No. 8 in the country by MaxPreps. He said that the program’s past seven signing days have produced 182 student-athletes who earned full scholarships to Division I colleges.

Check out the full story at The Baltimore Sun: