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Baltimore Local ACT-SO: Mentorship, Creativity & Empowering Young Artists

Sixteen years after competing in ACT-SO, I returned—not as a contestant, but as a judge for the Baltimore Local Competition. Sitting on the other side of the table was a surreal experience, bringing back memories of the day I stood in the Newtown High School gymnasium, nervous as I prepared to meet the judges. I remember watching the other contestants, convinced I had no chance of winning. They seemed confident, prepared—everything I wasn’t sure I was at the time. But ACT-SO wasn’t just about competition; it was about mentorship, creativity, and preparing young artists for something beyond the moment.

Now, as a judge, I have the chance to witness new generations step into the same experience that shaped my journey. The impact of ACT-SO still runs deep. As I reflect on my path, I realize how much it influenced my confidence. It also impacted my career and creative voice. I want to share—from nervous competitor to mentor—and why I believe ACT-SO is an opportunity that should continue reaching young artists. I hope that more former participants reconnect, support the next wave of talent, and keep this legacy alive.

About NAACP ACT-SO

The NAACP ACT-SO is a nationwide program designed to nurture high school students’ talents in academics, culture, technology, and the arts. Over a year, participants collaborate with community mentors to develop visual arts, business, performing arts, and culinary arts projects. The journey culminates in local and national competitions where students showcase their work and compete for scholarships and awards.

Baltimore Local ACT-SO Competition

Baltimore’s ACT-SO program follows the same mission, providing students with mentorship and opportunities to refine their skills. Participants compete in one of 33 categories across six disciplines at the local level, with top performers advancing to the national competition.

Why ACT-SO?

In 2009, I was a contestant in the local Baltimore ACT-SO competition. I also participated in the national ACT-SO competition. This experience became a pivotal turning point in my journey. Joining ACT-SO introduced me to entrepreneurship and inspired me to build my own publication and art business. It was through this competition that I gained the foundational skills and knowledge to craft a blueprint for what I had always envisioned. ACT-SO also gave me my first real taste of networking, allowing me to connect with artists beyond my school and neighborhood. For the first time, I saw myself as part of a vast, vibrant community of Black youth. We were shaping the future together. I felt like a small fish in a big pond of limitless creativity and ambition.

At the award ceremony, I learned that participation in this year’s local ACT-SO competition was low—a reality that feels disheartening considering the profound impact the program had on my life. I’d like to believe the issue isn’t a lack of interest, but rather a lack of awareness. In the age of social media, that shouldn’t be the case. ACT-SO deserves to be in the conversation, accessible to teenagers just as readily as the latest viral trend or their favorite TikTok influencer. So I’m here to talk about it.

One of the most valuable aspects of ACT-SO was the mentorship. I had the privilege of learning from incredible mentors whose advice still resonates with me today. They didn’t just guide me through the competition—they shaped how I approach my creative and professional journey. Whether it was insights on storytelling, the art of networking, or the importance of owning my voice, their wisdom provided a strong foundation for my growth. Their encouragement helped me see beyond my immediate surroundings and recognize my potential. ACT-SO wasn’t just about showcasing talent—it was about cultivating it with the right guidance.

Throughout the school year that I participated, I worked closely with my entrepreneurship teacher to develop a business plan—one that ultimately helped me win the local ACT-SO competition. After that, I was paired with a judge who took my plan to the next level. As a consultant for the Maryland District Office of the Small Business Administration, he provided expert guidance, helping me refine every detail. Looking back, all I remember is a whole lot of editing—but that process shaped my understanding of what it takes to build a strong foundation for a business.

Watch Doc Judges the Baltimore Local ACT-SO Competition

How can you get involved?

ACT-SO continues to shape young artists, but it thrives on community support. If you’re a former participant, consider reconnecting. The Baltimore Local ACT-SO Competition is looking for volunteers and support for the national competition in July 2025. If you’d like to contribute, visit the NAACP’s official Baltimore Local ACT-SO Competition website to learn how you can help fund the next generation’s journey to the national competition in Charlotte, NC.

There are other major programs comparable to ACT-SO available for the youth in Baltimore City. Shout out some of your favorites in the comments. Let’s shed some light on that goodness.

Code and Canvas: Redefining Art Through Digital and Physical Fusion

Code and Canvas, a groundbreaking art exhibition, opened its doors this weekend at The Black Genius Art Show in Baltimore. As an avid art enthusiast, I was eager to explore the vibrant collection that bridges digital and physical art forms.

Sym curated the Code and Canvas Exhibition to connect with older art enthusiasts. When asked about her inspiration for creating this experience at The Black Genius Art Show, she explained, “to give a highlight to digital artists. There are a lot of elderly people who believe art online is not art because they don’t understand new styles of art unless it’s painting.” She further elaborated, “(The exhibit) gives off trickery because it confuses people when they find out it’s done digitally.”

This exhibit challenges common misconceptions, including the belief that younger generations lack appreciation for the arts. It showcases the diversity of artistic expression, emphasizing that art is constantly evolving, reaching new spaces, and adopting new mediums. Code and Canvas reminds us that as art transforms from physical to digital forms, we must adapt to and embrace these changes, especially as the Internet becomes a central platform for creativity.

Code and Canvas Experience

Code and Canvas fulfilled its purpose for me, and it has the potential to do the same for its intended audience. I visited the gallery to experience art that I frequently admire online but rarely encounter in traditional art galleries or exhibitions. This exhibit resonated deeply with me due to my love of hip-hop, as well as my appreciation for abstract art, vibrant colors, and comic book characters—all of which adorned the gallery walls. These styles are seldom showcased in larger, modern museums, making each design a captivating sight that left me in awe. For an older audience less engaged with the digital world and accustomed to viewing art solely in galleries, this exhibit bridges the gap by bringing the online art experience into a tangible, present-day form.

Pop-up exhibitions across Baltimore have seamlessly blended various artistic mediums, creating a vibrant mosaic that reflects the city’s evolving art culture. Code and Canvas exemplifies this trend, serving as a platform for dynamic collaborations. Local hip-hop artist Shon Ski found her creative home within this space, working alongside visual artists to bring her unique online presence into a tangible, physical form. Her debut performance, featuring her latest single, captivated the crowd and underscored the fusion of music and visual artistry at the heart of the exhibition. 

Shon Ski

Shon Ski is a hip-hop artist and audio engineer hailing from East Baltimore, MD. Her career began in 2016 as a media personality on Crown Media’s online talk show, Strong Way Radio, in Baltimore. In 2017, she expanded her platform by launching her own talk show, Run N Wild Radio, which aired on the 1500 Radio Network and showcased creatives from various mediums across the DMV area. Shortly after, Shon Ski emerged as a recording artist, debuting her first single, “Double Water,” produced by Madi. Her debut album, Somewhere Out There, produced by Bari Lutalo, was released on March 29, 2022, under Tenable Music. Shon Ski’s music is available on all digital streaming platforms and media outlets.

Would you like to see more of your favorite digital pieces in a local art gallery? Leave your thoughts in the comments below.

The Power of Art: How We Saved the Creative Collective Art Gallery

I initially came as a vendor for Doc’s Castle Media to participate in a pop-up shop. Little did I know that my adventure would transform into an act of activism to save a beloved community space for Myrrh Made Queen and numerous artists in Baltimore.

The Creative Collective Art Gallery was on the brink of closing when I saw a Facebook post by Myrrh. She was offering a pop-up show space to any artist willing to participate in a protest to save the gallery. For the past year, the gallery had been a vibrant hub for artisans in the city, showcasing their creative talents and handmade crafts.

Creative Collective

The Creative Collective Art Gallery is the home and artistic haven of the Creative Collective Commyrrhnity, founded by Myrrh Made Queen in 2024 as an artist collective in Baltimore specializing in crafts such as body art, face painting, and canvas and mural artistry. The gallery provides a vibrant platform for artisans from all over the city to collaborate and showcase their talents alongside Myrrh Made Queen’s brand. 

The Creative Collective has become home to a plethora of canvas art events in the emergence of Sips and Paints, sparking excitement within the creative community. Events such as Sip and Paints, lively Karaoke and Paints, and even the energetic Twerk and Paint sessions are a testament to the lively and inclusive atmosphere the space fosters, which has kept the gallery full of life.

Myrrh Made Queen

MyrrhMade, pronounced like mermaid, is a freelance artist and owner of MyrrhMadeArt LLC. 

She specializes in a diverse range of painting techniques, from body and face paint to canvas art and murals. MyrrhMade isn’t just an artist—she’s an inspiration. Hosting a series of art events that champion self-love and liberation, her creations are designed to heal and uplift.

I love to dive into the lives of my fellow artists through social media, and Myrrh Made Queen stands out as one of the most genuine and raw talents you’ll encounter. If you’ve ever watched her Instagram stories, you’ll know she shares her authentic self daily, offering followers a glimpse into the life of an artist in Baltimore City. She doesn’t just create art—she lives it, embodying the essence of a true MyrrhMade.

What I admire about Myrrh is her uniqueness and resilience. She has built a dedicated following despite the challenges she’s faced. Her journey hasn’t always been smooth, but she exemplifies tenacity and the power of carving out your own path. As we watch her continue her journey, she inspires us all with her story of survival and success as a full-time freelance artist.

Saving The Creative Collective

When I walked into the Creative Collective, Myrrh shared her grievances about losing the gallery due to her business partner’s decision not to continue renting the space together. The landlord was unwilling to renew the lease without both partners’ signatures and planned an open house on President’s Day for potential tenants to tour the building.

In response, Myrrh transformed her impromptu pop-up shop into an act of activism to save her gallery. The creatives hoped that prospective tenants would be more interested in the art rather than renting the gallery. The idea was that if the landlord saw how the space brought life and vibrancy to the community, he might reconsider and lease the gallery solely to MyrrhMade.

When the prospective clients arrived that day, their curiosity turned towards the artists’ activities. They visited artist tables, inquired about creative works, and showed a genuine interest in the art rather than the lease. The open house ran for an hour before the landlord made an offer to Myrrh to lease the space for the rest of the month of February and March in the Charles Village community. The protest was a resounding success for MyrrhMade Queen.

Being part of the activism to save the gallery felt incredible. My son got to transform into his favorite Marvel character, Spider-man, and watch his mommy in action at work. Plus, I had the opportunity to sell some Doc’s Castle Art!

If you are an artist looking for a venue to host your event, the Creative Collective offers a welcoming space for the month of March. Just reach out to MyrrhMade Queen for inquiries.

Have you watched Last Call: Ex-Factor? Read Exploring Last Call: The Trivia Show That Unites Friends on Doc’s Castle Media.

*Article was reedited and republished March 4, 2025.

Exploring Last Call: The Trivia Show That Unites Friends

Well, well, well. We meet again, Mr. Karlito Freeze. This time, in a thrilling challenge thrown down by another Baltimore artist, Symone Hardy of Graphite Pulse.

In 2017, Doc’s Castle Media featured Karlito Freeze because we collaborated on a podcast when he was a former “intimate.” Whiskey Girl hosted the podcast back then, and things were a bit different with Mr. Freeze and me.

Listen to #LoveandHipHop Baltimore Featuring #StrongWayRadio and #DocsCastleMedia on Embrace the Crazy Podcast by Whiskey Girl (Gallery)

After years of silence over obvious things (our breakup), I reconnected with songwriter and aspiring multimedia mogul Karlito Freeze on a few art projects this year, with Last Call being one of our standout collaborations.

The chemistry between Freeze and me is unmatched and worthy of celebration. It’s why we return for Last Call Season 1 to showcase the same fire we exhibit on Ex Factor. It’s an exceptional example of building bonds beyond emotionally impactful differences we may have faced in the past. As a story may appear to end one way, it doesn’t mean it has to be the end all be all.

Sym’s, the host of Last Call, work is already so inspirational in Baltimore City. She captivates me because she’s a Baltimore Creative, just like me. You know, I love our people. I heard of Last Call from Freeze when he told me Sym was creating an experience bringing people together that I haven’t seen many people in Baltimore do before. I’m walking into the experience blind, not knowing what to expect, and only being told my opponent is my ex in a Trivia game. All that’s next came a gesture of the birdman hand rub and a declaration to Freeze that it was now, “Game on!”

Who knew I’d be such a trivia beast? Not me! It’s all thanks to the countless hours of Wheel of Fortune playing in the background at my grandparents’ house growing up. Trivia knowledge whispers to me even in my sleep. Freeze didn’t have a chance. The Graphite Pulse Last Call experience brings people together for a good time and plenty of laughter. I had a blast and would do it again if invited.

Who is Graphite Pulse?

Graphite Pulse is an art platform run by multimedia artist Sym, showcasing her art practices and the events she attends due to her incredible talents.

Follow Sym’s Instagram!

Last Call

Last Call is a lively trivia game show that brings people together for a night of fun, laughter, and mystery! With three exciting rounds, each featuring five random and entertaining trivia questions, players are tested on their knowledge across a wide variety of topics. But there’s a twist—the contestant with the lowest score at the end of each round must drink a mystery shot, adding an element of surprise and humor to the game. Perfect for families, friends, and communities, Last Call is all about creating connections, sparking friendly competition, and building camaraderie.

Watch Last Call: Ex Factor

How do you feel about couples collaborating on projects for their brands? Do you think it can be done? Leave your thoughts in the comments below.