Our Staff
The Southwest Partnership staff work with neighborhood associations, SWP Committees, and anchor institutions to implement the Vision Plan and build a stronger Southwest Baltimore.
Tony lived in the Union Square neighborhood of Southwest Baltimore as a child, at the corner of Stricker & Lombard, and came back as an adult to live. He attended Baltimore Polytechnic Institute with the intention of becoming an architect, but discovered a passion for "social architecture" through public policy and administration around urban community development at Georgetown and Columbia.
He spent four years working in Washington, DC for the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), before turning toward local community development working for the City of Baltimore in Finance and, most recently, the Mayor's Office. His childhood memories in Southwest Baltimore and passion for inclusive community development brought him to the Southwest Partnership.
Tony enjoys getting around town on his road bike and eating chicken livers at Hollins Market.
Chris joined the SWP in February 2020. He has a bachelor's degree in Art Education from Towson University and taught in Aberdeen, MD. Before joining the SWP, he worked in administrative and bookkeeping roles in other offices and started his own business selling his artwork.
Chris manages the day-to-day operations in the office, bookkeeping and financials, grant administration, facilities management, and administrative tasks. He assists the Executive Director and supports all other staff members with project management. He handles monthly financials and annual audit preparation, maintains the office and SWP properties including repairs and upkeep, writes and tracks grants and reporting, provides record-keeping and document organization, and helps with IT issues.
Chris started selling his artwork at the annual Pigtown and SoWeBo Festivals, where he first discovered the culture and charisma of the SWP neighborhoods. He moved to Baltimore City in 2020 and now resides in the Hamilton area with his partner and dog.
Hi, Iâm Meghan! Iâve called Southwest Baltimore home for 14 years now, and honestly, itâs become more than just a place I liveâitâs my safe haven. This community has given me some of the most loyal, loving, and downright beautiful people I know. Many of them I now call family.
I wasnât always a Baltimorean. I grew up in South Florida and came here with $600, my cat, some clothes, and a bike. Since then, Iâve probably biked thousands of miles through this cityâchasing sunsets along the harbor, hiking trails in our parks, and soaking up art and cultural festivals, gallery events, block partiesâyou name it. Somewhere along the way, Baltimoreâs CHARM really got me.
Now, Iâm settled in Franklin Square with four cats and a whole lot of pride for this neighborhood. If you see me out on a stoop, donât be shyâcome say hi. Building community is what I love most.
Nick joined the Southwest Partnership in 2025. He fell in love with the city's neighborhoods when he moved to Baltimore in 2010, and especially with the many neighborhood festivals and celebrations. He brings a strong academic foundation to the Partnership's development work, with a Master's in Public Policy from The Johns Hopkins University and a Master's in City and Regional Planning from Morgan State University. In addition, he brings more than a decade of prior experience in grants management and community development work to the team.
Outside of work, Nick is working on a small train garden, and can often be found with his kids at one of Baltimore's many playgrounds.
Jakerya brings over a decade of experience in communications, branding, and storytelling across nonprofit, higher education, finance, and community-based organizations. She holds a bachelor's degree in Mass Communications and Marketing from Frostburg State University, as well as an MBA and a Master's in Information Systems from Bowie State University.
Her work centers on strategic communications, graphic design, and marketing that elevate mission-driven work through clear, accessible, and community-focused storytelling. She has partnered closely with leadership and program teams to translate complex initiatives into engaging, audience-focused messaging.
As a Baltimore City resident, Jakerya is rooted in community-based work and brings a deep appreciation for the stories, people, and neighborhoods that shape the city.
Samuel brings experience in residential construction management, real estate, and real estate finance, with a passion for community development. Most recently, he managed single-family and multifamily renovations across Baltimore and supported housing developments from predevelopment through completion. His background also includes training in public finance, small business development, and supportive housing.
Outside of work, Samuel is an avid chess player and enjoys reading.
