Signature Campaigns
We consistently work across communities to make Baltimore better for all its residents.
We’re ending the legacy of redlining once and for all
Tackling the Vacants Crisis in Baltimore
Nearly 100 years ago, redlining began in Baltimore City. Its legacy remains with us today. Many of the communities impacted by redlining and other forms of systemic disinvestment are the same communities most plagued today by high homicide rates, gun violence, low health outcomes, declining population, vacant properties, low home ownership rates, and a lack of investment. BUILD’s campaign to end vacants while not displacing current residents is a critical strategy to dismantle this legacy and improve the lives of families across Baltimore.
Building pathways to work and shared prosperity
Jobs and Economic Development
BUILD’s job and economic development campaigns have transformed opportunities for Baltimore residents by connecting people to living-wage work and community-driven growth. From launching Turnaround Tuesday, which has helped thousands of returning citizens and unemployed residents secure meaningful employment, to developing projects like the Cherry Hill Shopping Center and the Howard Park ShopRite, BUILD has brought investment and jobs back to neighborhoods long left behind. Through persistent organizing, BUILD continues to demonstrate that economic justice is achieved when communities shape their own development and share in its benefits.
Working with returning citizens to address their needs
Criminal Justice Reform
BUILD’s criminal justice reform campaigns have focused on creating safety through justice, dignity, and opportunity rather than punishment alone. From leading the passage of House Bill 531 in 2024, which eliminated parole supervision and drug testing fees, to advocating for drug treatment on demand, community policing, and the closure of open-air drug markets, BUILD has worked to make Baltimore safer and fairer for all. Guided by the belief that strong communities—not incarceration—build public safety, BUILD continues to organize for systems that restore lives and strengthen neighborhoods.
Building relationships with Baltimore’s immigrant community
Immigrant Family Support
BUILD’s support of immigrant families includes partnering with MD IAF and CASA de Maryland to help pass the historic Maryland Dream Act, expanding college access for immigrant students, launching a city-recognized parish ID program, co-founding the Immigration Outreach Service Center with St. Matthew’s Catholic Church, and delivering millions of meals and thousands of vaccines during the pandemic. Today, we continue to embrace our immigrant neighbors to protect, support, and advocate for them across metropolitan Baltimore.
We make neighborhoods cleaner, safer, and stronger
Neighborhood Action
Neighborhood action is at the heart of BUILD’s work. Through door-knocking, house meetings, and listening campaigns, we ask residents what changes they want to see—and then take action together to make those changes real. From improving safety with better lighting and traffic calming measures to cleaning up vacant lots, clearing illegal dumping sites, and revitalizing parks and rec centers for youth, BUILD helps communities achieve tangible, lasting improvements in their neighborhoods.
Sign Up
Join our Mailing List
If you’d like to get involved, sign up to receive information about our work