This marks the ninth year for The Baltimore Sun’s Business and Civic Hall of Fame, which highlights individuals across our region who have helped to make Baltimore and Maryland better over long careers. The 11 leaders inducted this year join a group of 98 others who have been recognized for their accomplishments in business, public service, philanthropy, education and more.
The Sun’s history in this community dates back to 1837, and we have long held public officials, area leaders and powerful institutions accountable. We know that readers trust us to be a watchdog, and it is a responsibility we take seriously. And we believe doing so helps us to identify solutions to the region’s challenges.
We also realize we have a role in showcasing the achievements of outstanding individuals in our communities and highlighting their stories. This Hall of Fame is one of the many ways that we acknowledge the community’s successes; our other special sections throughout the year include Baltimore’s Best (July), Women to Watch (October), Top Workplaces (December) and Black Marylanders to Watch (February).
Members of our first eight Hall of Fame classes include former U.S. Rep. Helen Delich Bentley (2016); developer and H&S Bakery founder John Paterakis Sr. (’16); philanthropists Eddie and Sylvia Brown (’16); former U.S. Sen. Barbara Mikulski (’17); Harbor Bank of Maryland co-founder Joseph Haskins Jr. (’18); former Baltimore Mayor and current University of Baltimore President Kurt Schmoke (’19); former UMBC President Dr. Freeman A. Hrabowski III (’20); the Rev. Dr. Alvin C. Hathaway Sr. (’21); former journalist and museum director Wanda Q. Draper (’22); and Sherrilyn Ifill, president emerita and director counsel emerita of the NAACP Legal Defense Fund (’23).
This year’s class is made up of: James Britton, founder of Class Act Catering, one of Baltimore’s largest minority-owned employers; Patricia M.C. Brown, health lawyer and former United Way chair developing a next-generation model of care for Kennedy Krieger; Dr. John B. Chessare, Greater Baltimore Medical Center’s CEO; Amy Elias and Richard Pearlstone, philanthropists supporting the arts in Baltimore, along with Jewish charities and cultural activities; Donald Manekin, former city schools COO and developer who focuses on communities; William H. Murphy Jr., a former judge and a civil rights lawyer who fights for the underprivileged; Alethia B. Starke, Carter School of Music dean who secured scholarships for 1,200 Baltimore students; Paul A. Tiburzi, DLA Piper managing partner and former chair of the Greater Baltimore Committee; the Rev. William J. Watters, a Jesuit priest who founded three Baltimore schools educating thousands at little or no cost; and Arnold Williams, founder of an accounting firm focused on uplifting Black businesses and the local economy.
As in past years, our selection process for the class of 2024 included asking the community for nominations. We again assembled a diverse selection committee composed of past Hall of Fame inductees, who helped to identify potential candidates. Our editorial board and members of the selection committee studied the nominees’ accomplishments, including their efforts to improve Baltimore and Maryland through their leadership, career success and contributions in strengthening organizations and their communities. Final decisions were made by members of the editorial board, which I oversee.
As has been the practice in the past, a portion of the proceeds from this Hall of Fame publication will be donated to charity; this year’s partnership is with the Ulman Foundation, the Baltimore-based group that focuses on changing lives by creating support for young adults and their loved ones impacted by cancer. We thank our sponsors, whose advertising can be found throughout this publication and at baltimoresun.com.
We also would like to thank each of the 2024 Hall of Fame inductees, whose profiles appear throughout the pages of this section, for their leadership and commitment to Baltimore and Maryland. We hope that their stories will serve as an example and inspiration to others. Their names will join the others in our permanent Hall of Fame display at the Center Club in downtown Baltimore, which we hope you get a chance to visit someday.
Baltimore Sun Media has long dedicated itself to leadership in journalism, business and debate. The Sun’s Hall of Fame recognizes Maryland’s modern-day leaders who have helped to set a standard for future generations and chronicles the lives of these extraordinary women and men whose achievements define our city and region.
Congratulations to the class of 2024.
Trif Alatzas
Publisher & Editor-in-Chief
