Deidre Blackmore Graduates From Maryland REALTORS®’ Leadership Academy, Class of 2025

By PRESS OFFICER
Maryland REALTORS®

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (April 24, 2025)—Deidre Blackmore, a Broker and REALTOR® with Iron Valley Real Estate of Central Maryland based in Westminster, graduated from the Maryland REALTORS®’ Leadership Academy, a leadership development program that builds leaders for the industry and in the communities they serve.

“We’re always thrilled to celebrate a new class of Leadership Academy graduates,” said Jenn Klarman, Chair of the Leadership Academy Advisory Group. “We’re especially proud of Deidre and the leadership she brings to our REALTOR® community—locally through Prince George’s County Association of REALTORS® (PGCAR), and beyond, at the state and national levels.”

Blackmore brings a wealth of expertise and dedication to her real estate practice, holding eight REALTOR® designations—including ABR (Accredited Buyer’s Representative), MRP (Military Relocation Professional), and SRS (Seller Representative Specialist). Her commitment to elevating the profession is reflected in her leadership as she serves her second term as President of the Women’s Council of REALTORS® Prince George’s County, where she has been instrumental in mentoring and supporting fellow real estate professionals. In addition to her leadership role, Blackmore serves on the Professionalism Committee of PGCAR. Beyond her professional contributions, she is an active volunteer, notably supporting initiatives that provide clothing and resources to women and children impacted by domestic violence.

The mission of the Leadership Academy is to build tomorrow’s strong leaders today: leaders who can address the challenges facing real estate with professionalism, transparency, and leadership.

The Leadership Academy vets hundreds of applications annually to select a diversified group of qualified members for the prestigious program.  The program consists of seven sessions held monthly between October and April, to develop leadership skills and competencies.  Courses include legislation and advocacy, communication skills, and relationship management and networking. Most who enter the program go on to serve in leadership capacities within their communities and with Maryland REALTORS® at the state level.

“As a 2011 Leadership Academy graduate, the insight that I received from the programming really set the stage for me to make more of a difference in our industry,” said Cheryl Abrams Davis, 2025 President, Maryland REALTORS®. “Today, we’re celebrating 19 new leaders in the industry. It will be exciting to see how they shape the future of real estate in the months and years to come.”

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M-NCPPC Prince George’s County Planning Department Recognizes the Neighborhood Planning Academy Spring 2025 Cohort With Graduation Ceremony

By PRESS OFFICER
M-NCPPC

LARGO, Md. (May 1, 2025)—The Prince George’s County Planning Department of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission hosted a graduation ceremony to celebrate the Spring 2025 Cohort of the Neighborhood Planning Academy on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, at the M-NCPPC Largo Headquarters. Designed specifically to engage Prince George’s County residents and community stakeholders, the Neighborhood Planning Academy explains the County’s planning framework, how to engage in the development review process, and how to advocate for their community goals and visions.

This spring, 62 representatives, reflecting all regions of Prince George’s County, were selected to participate in a seven-week program to learn the ins and outs of the County’s planning framework, how to engage in the development review process, and how to advocate for their community goals and visions. Since the launch of the program in the fall of 2023, nearly 200 individuals have participated in the Neighborhood Planning Academy.

“The Neighborhood Planning Academy provides a platform for residents, community stakeholders, and municipal leaders to learn the ins and outs of the County’s very complex review process,” said Peter A. Shapiro, Chair of the M-NCPPC Prince George’s County Planning Board. “It’s really a leadership development program in many ways.”

“The program gives residents hands-on knowledge of how developments are created in the County,” said Lakisha Hull, Director of the M-NCPPC Prince George’s County Planning Department. “The award-winning program not only empowers residents to advocate on behalf of their communities, but it also helps meet the mission of the Planning Department by promoting economic vitality, environmental sustainability, design excellence, and quality development that promotes healthy lifestyles in Prince George’s County neighborhoods.”

The Spring 2025 Cohort of the Neighborhood Planning Academy included Oluwafolajimi Akinsiku, Robert Alejnikov, Shelby Austin, Paula Bailey, Lisa Bailey, Kisha Barnes, Amera Bilal, Samia Bingham, Adrienne Blocker, Akilah Brewer, Dwan Bryant, Nastasia Buckley, Kristen Buker, Anton Carty, Kischenna Coley, Geoffrey Collins, Ayana Crawford, Patrica Crews, Cashenna Cross, Stacey Cunningham, Helder de Almeida, Kalisha Dixon, Daniel Douglas, Maureen Farrington, Winona Francis, Roger Gaines, Jeanette Gass, Anna Helm, Monica Higgs, Katrina Hill, Tiffany Hughes, Darrell Jones, Chalya Lar, Jamel Lattimore, Sharon Lawrence, Major Lewis, Carrie Mack, Dr. Theresa Mason Ford, Derricka McCray, Melinda Mendoza, Traci Miller, Cynthia Miller, Marcus Monroe, Pernell Murray, Elder Dr. Jacqueline V. Norris, Alison Pages, Linda Pennoyer, Rakhmel Rafi, Safiya Ransome, Joy Ren, Victoria Reynolds, Kilil Roussaw, Gwen Sherrod, Clyde Springfield, Stephen Toth, Lucia Vasquez, Charlene Vaughn, Terry Waller, JaMea Williams, Laurie Williams, Leslie Wolfinger, and Christopher Brittan-

Powell.

During the graduation ceremony, participants delivered capstone project presentations that incorporated independent research findings as well as lessons and topics from the curriculum. Through weekly classes, participants explored the History, Present, and Future of Prince George’s County, Planning 101, the Development Review Process, Building Healthy, Sustainable and Resilient Communities, Multimodal Transportation and Street Safety, and PGAtlas.com—a free public web application and online mapping tool.

For more information on the Neighborhood Planning Academy, visit: https://academy.pgplanning.com  Prince George’s County residents and stakeholders may join the mailing list to receive announcements on applications for the Fall 2025 cohort and upcoming courses.

The Prince George’s County Planning Department of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission

(M-NCPPC) is responsible for preserving, protecting, and managing the county’s resources through high-quality planning services and growth management guidance. Our mission is to promote economic vitality, environmental sustainability, design excellence, and quality development in Prince George’s County. Visit our website, www.pgplanning.org, to learn how you can become engaged in shaping the future of your community. Assistance: The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission encourages the participation of persons with disabilities in all its programs and services. Register at least a minimum of two weeks in advance of the program start date to request and receive a disability accommodation. Call the Public Affairs Office at 301-952-3038, email PublicAffairs@ppd.mncppc.org, or complete the online form.

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