Maryland Ranks Top State for Minority-Owned Businesses, Supports Thousands of Small Business Jobs in FY24

By PRESS OFFICER
Office of the Governor

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (Nov. 15, 2024)—Governor Wes Moore today announced that Maryland has been named the number one state for minority-owned businesses, according to a recent analysis by Lending Tree. The state earned top 10 rankings in three of five Lending Tree metrics, including the percentage of minority-owned businesses in the state; the ratio of pay relative to all businesses; and the longevity of business operations.

This latest ranking comes on the heels of the Maryland Department of Commerce’s announcement that its Small, Minority and Women-Owned Business Account supported more than 170 businesses and an estimated 2,598 jobs in Fiscal Year 2024. The program, which continues to grow under the Moore-Miller Administration, provided $21.3 million in financial support, helped retain 1,866 jobs and created 732 new jobs, and leveraged $16.4 million in private sector capital throughout Maryland according to the agency’s latest annual program report.

“Our Small, Minority and Women-Owned Business Account is one of the most critical programs to grow our economy,” said Gov. Moore. “Since its inception in 2013, the program has supported more than 14,300 new and retained jobs, leveraging more than $240 million in private capital investment. Our Administration will continue to prioritize investments for small, minority, and women-owned businesses—their success is critical to our success as a state.”

??????????Created with the small business owner in mind, the program uses proceeds from video lottery terminals to assist small, minority, and women-owned businesses located in targeted areas surrounding Maryland’s six casinos. At least 50 percent of fund allocations are deployed to businesses located within the casino area, while the other 50 percent are available to small businesses throughout the state.

The distribution of funds is overseen by a variety of eligible fund managers, including Anne Arundel County Economic Development Corporation; Baltimore County Economic Development; Baltimore Development Corporation; FSC First; Howard County Economic Development Authority; Maryland Capital Enterprises, Inc.; Meridian Management Group, Inc.; Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation; and Tri County Council for Western Maryland.

“This program is one of the most important and effective tools in Maryland’s economic development toolbox, helping unlock new strength and new opportunity for small businesses across the state,” said Maryland Department of Commerce Secretary Kevin Anderson. “We look forward to continuing to work with our partners to distribute funding statewide.”

To learn more about financial incentives and business resources offered in Maryland, visit www.commerce.maryland.gov

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Washington Revels Announces Its 42nd Annual Holiday Performance “An English Country Christmas Revels”

By PRESS OFFICER
The Washington Revels

SILVER SPRING, Md. (Nov. 19, 2024)—The Washington Revels announce the return of their cherished holiday tradition, “The Christmas Revels.” In this 42nd annual Revels, audiences will be transported to 19th-century England with “An English Country Christmas Revels,” a festive and immersive theatrical experience inspired by the stories of Thomas Hardy. Performances run December 20 through December 22 at the Montgomery College Cultural Arts Center in Silver Spring.

Synopsis

Based on the warm-hearted tale by Thomas Hardy’s classic work Under the Greenwood Tree, this year’s “Christmas Revels” invites audiences to the fictional village of Mellstock, where charming characters, folk melodies, and age-old traditions set the scene for a heartwarming holiday story.
 
The story begins in 19th-Century England on Christmas Eve, when school mistress Fancy Day returns from the city to her hometown of Mellstock. The village is buzzing with excitement—especially among three men who each hope to win her heart: the upright Parson Maybold, ambitious Frederick Shiner, and young Dick Dewey, a member of the local “quire.” This quirky band of musicians, who perform in the village pub and the church, find their world turned upside-down with the arrival of a newfangled “harmonium” in the church.

As the village anticipates Christmas, they must grapple with the arrival of a new harmonium and the potential for change it brings to their familiar world of fiddles, pipes, and rustic tunes. The performance blends comedy, romance, and classic themes of tradition and change to capture the true spirit of the season.

In a time when tradition meets innovation, the quire’s beloved melodies are challenged by the prospect of mechanical accompaniment, and new ideas bring both hilarity and heartfelt change to the village. As winter settles in, love blossoms, traditions are tested, and generations clash in this delightful celebration of holiday spirit, music, and dance.

Musical and Artistic Highlights

A multigenerational cast, with members from ages 8 to 92, performs alongside talented local musicians from the Whiskey Before Breakfast Band and the Washington Revels Brass. Audiences can expect lively pub carols, joyful anthems, and Revels favorites such as “The Sussex Mummers’ Carol,” all complemented by rustic English tunes and traditional dance. As always, audience participation is encouraged, with sing-alongs that bring the whole theater together in song.

Key Production Highlights:

• A festive tale of love and transformation set in a quaint English village in the 1830s.

• A spirited debate over the new “harmonium,” symbolizing the tension between tradition and progress.

• Performances by talented local artists alongside the Revels’ signature blend of music, dance, and storytelling.

• Beloved holiday traditions and sing-alongs, including Revels classics and carols that invite the audience to join in.

Performance Schedule:

• December 20–22, 2024

• Venue: Montgomery College Cultural Arts Center, 7995 Georgia Avenue, Silver Spring, MD

Tickets Available Now

With five scheduled performances, this one-of-a-kind holiday celebration is perfect for families and friends looking to create new holiday traditions or rediscover the magic of Christmas. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit RevelsDC.org.

Since its founding over 40 years ago, The Washington Revels has dedicated itself to reviving and celebrating the spirit of cultural traditions through music, dance, and participatory theater. Known for their vibrant seasonal performances that bring history and customs to life, The Washington Revels provide an engaging holiday experience for all ages, with community and joy at its heart.

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Honors for Local Students
Kelly Ross of Clinton Named to the Trumpeters Leadership Honor Society at McDaniel College

WESTMINSTER, Md. (Nov. 21, 2024)—Kelly Ross of Clinton (20735) was named to the Trumpeters leadership honor society. Ross is a senior Criminal Justice and Sociology major at McDaniel College, Westminster, Maryland.

Trumpeters is a leadership honor society that recognizes exemplary qualities of leadership, integrity, and sincerity. Those selected are called to serve as positive examples of the campus by devoting themselves to academics, extracurricular activities, and service. Students may apply for membership in the spring semester of their junior year.

—McDaniel College

The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi Elects New Members

BATON ROUGE, La. (Nov. 20, 2024)—The following people were recently elected to membership
 
into The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, the nation's oldest and most selective collegiate honor society for all academic disciplines.

Jasmine Hawkins of Fort Washington (20744) at University of Maryland Global Campus

David Foster of Upper Marlboro (20774) at University of Maryland Global Campus

They are among approximately 20,000 students, faculty, professional staff and alumni to be initiated into Phi Kappa Phi each year. Membership is by invitation only and requires nomination and approval by a chapter. Only the top 10 percent of seniors and 7.5 percent of juniors are eligible for membership. Graduate students in the top 10 percent of the number of candidates for graduate degrees may also qualify, as do faculty, professional staff and alumni who have achieved scholarly distinction.

Phi Kappa Phi was founded in 1897 under the leadership of undergraduate student Marcus L. Urann who had a desire to create a different kind of honor society: one that recognized excellence in all academic disciplines. Today, the Society has chapters on more than 300 campuses in the United States, its territories and the Philippines. Its mission is to “cultivate a community that celebrates and advances the love of learning.”

—The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi

Commonwealth University Students Named to PSAC Scholar Athlete List

Pa. (Nov. 19, 2024)—Nearly 600 Commonwealth University student-athletes have been named to the 2023–24 Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Scholar-Athlete award list.

Latrel Gatewood, of Ft. Washington, MD - Lock Haven campus

Richard Scott, of Hyattsville, MD - Lock Haven campus

Student-athletes must maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.25 upon completion of the academic year to be eligible for the PSAC Scholar-Athlete Award.

Overall, the PSAC honored 4,036 student-athletes from the league's 18 institutions after the conclusion of the 2023-24 academic year as PSAC Scholar-Athletes.

The 2023–24 PSAC Scholar-Athlete total of 4,036 (52% of the entire PSAC student-athlete population) marks the ninth straight year the PSAC has awarded at least 40% of its student-athlete population with “Scholar-Athlete” status. The total number of PSAC Scholar-Athletes increased from 2022–23’s total by 199.

—Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania

McDaniel College Students Perform in Student African Drum Ensembles

WESTMINSTER, Md. (Nov. 15, 2024)—McDaniel College students performed in the Student African Drum Ensembles on Thursday, Nov. 21, at 7 p.m. in Naganna Forum, Roj Student Center, at McDaniel College, 2 College Hill, Westminster, Maryland. The program featured the traditional African songs “Kuku,” “Macaru,” “Mengani,” and “Lambaa,” under the direction of Senior Adjunct Lecturer Pape Demba “Paco” Samb along with the Super Ngewel ensemble.

Students included:

Lanre Abayomi of Upper Marlboro (20774), a senior Computer Science major.

Trevion Bagley of Suitland (20746), a freshman Computer Science major.

Kennedy Ewell of Fort Washington (20744), a junior American Sign Language major.

—McDaniel College

 
McDaniel College Students Selected for McDaniel’s 2024 Homecoming Court

WESTMINSTER, Md. (Nov. 7, 2024)—McDaniel College students were named to McDaniel’s 2024 Homecoming Court.

The Homecoming Court was presented Nov. 2 during pre-game activities of the Green Terror football game.

Students included:

Santana Abney, a senior Psychology major from Bowie (20721)

Leah Somerville, a senior Political Science major from Clinton (20735)

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