The 2026 cohort includes community advocates such as Terri Miller-Vaughn, who spearheaded garden projects in Collington Square, and Ida Mae Fliggins, who has provided mentorship and supplies to over 8,000 families in Allendale over three decades. Other honorees include Dorian Walker of the Family Survivor Network, recognized for his work in trauma-informed care, and Christina Delgado, who transformed a space in Belair-Edison into a cultural archive celebrating the city’s Puerto Rican heritage.

This year’s awards mark a milestone for the foundation, bringing the total number of recognized leaders to 50 since the program launched in 2022. The recipients, ranging from youth mentors like Stephanie Bradshaw to historic preservationists like Linda Lynn Batts, will be formally honored at the annual State of BCF event on Oct. 14, 2026. According to Dr. Crystal Harden-Lindsey, BCF’s vice president of community impact, these awards highlight the resident-led efforts that serve as the foundation for stronger, more resilient neighborhoods across Baltimore.