Building Up Baltimore

This past Saturday, I had the privilege of volunteering at the Rise & Impact Networking Breakfast, and I left feeling incredibly encouraged by the future sitting in that room.

A heartfelt thank you to Armani, founder of Impact DMV, and the dedicated young leaders Darius and Donovan for inviting me to be part of such a meaningful morning. Your commitment to creating spaces where young people can connect, grow, and discover new possibilities is making a real impact.

One of the greatest joys of this journey is pouring into the next generation. I had the opportunity to connect with and mentor young scholars who put in the work by simply showing up. They exercised the muscle of connectivity and inquisitiveness—asking thoughtful questions, building relationships, and leaning into opportunities that will help shape their futures.

I was honored to share insights from my own path as an emerging real estate developer, licensed general contractor, nonprofit founder, and nurse, while introducing them to careers in construction, real estate development, and community building. Sometimes all a young person needs is someone to help illuminate a pathway they didn’t know existed.

To every scholar I met: keep showing up. Keep asking questions. Keep making connections. The future you’re aspiring toward is built one conversation, one opportunity, and one courageous step at a time.

Thank you again, Armani, Darius, Donovan, and the entire Impact DMV family for allowing me to be a small part of your mission. I can’t wait to see what these remarkable young leaders build next. 🏗️💙

Construction isn't just about buildings. It's about belonging.

Every wall framed, every blueprint read, every tool picked up.... it's a young person discovering they're capable of creating something that didn't exist yesterday.

That's what we believe at Building Up Baltimore. Not just teaching skills. Building identity.

Swipe to see what we mean. ➡️

Spark curiosity. Build belonging. See yourself as a builder.

Most people think construction is just swinging a hammer.

The truth?

Construction needs:

📐 Designers
🏙️ Urban planners
🏗️ Project managers
💡 Engineers
💰 Developers
🎨 Creative thinkers

Every building starts with an idea.

Every neighborhood transformation starts with someone who believes things can be better.

What role would you play on a team building the future?

SHOW ME THE MONEY, BALTIMORE!
Building Up Baltimore is officially seeking CDFI partners, CDFA‑aligned funders, corporate sponsors, grantmakers, and community investors who believe in building real pathways for our youth.

At BuildingUpBaltimore.org, we are launching a ground‑breaking, first‑of‑its‑kind organization that exposes Baltimore youth and young adults to construction, architecture, engineering, urban planning, and workforce development — the industries that literally build our city.

We’re creating builders. We’re creating belonging. We’re creating opportunity.
And we’re looking for mission‑aligned partners who want to invest in:

CDFI Funding & Community Development Capital
Grants for Workforce Development & Youth Programs
Corporate Sponsorships & Social Impact Partnerships
Individual Donations & Community Support
Neighborhood Revitalization & Economic Mobility Initiatives

Baltimore’s youth deserve access to the industries shaping their neighborhoods — and we’re here to make that happen through hands‑on workshops, immersive learning, mentorship, site visits, and real workforce pathways.

If your institution is committed to:
✔ Strengthening Baltimore neighborhoods
✔ Expanding economic opportunity
✔ Supporting CRA‑aligned initiatives
✔ Investing in historically underserved communities
✔ Empowering the next generation of builders and leaders

…then we want to partner with YOU.

Let’s build something powerful together.
Email us at [email protected]
Learn more: BuildingUpBaltimore.org

Baltimore deserves this. Our youth deserve this. And together, we can make it happen.

Calling All Baltimore Organizations, Camps, Community Events & Youth Programs!
At Building Up Baltimore, our mission is simple:
Create Builders. Create Belonging. Create Opportunity.
This summer — and all year long — we’re looking to collaborate with organizations across Baltimore who are committed to empowering youth, strengthening neighborhoods, and building brighter futures.

We’re excited to bring our energy, expertise, and hands‑on learning to your space through:

Hands‑On Demonstrations & Skill‑Building Workshops
Tool safety, construction basics, mini‑builds, and interactive stations that spark curiosity and confidence.

Speaking Engagements
Inspiring talks about leadership, career pathways, community building, and the power of creating your own future.

Special Events & Community Activations
Pop‑up build days, mural projects, beautification efforts, and youth engagement stations.

Summer Camps & Youth Programs
Construction‑themed activities, STEM‑to‑trades challenges, and hands‑on learning designed for all ages.

Workforce & Career Exposure
Introducing young people to real opportunities in the trades, apprenticeships, and community development careers.

If your mission aligns with building stronger communities and empowering Baltimore youth, we’d love to partner with you.
Let’s create something meaningful — together.

📩 Interested in collaborating?
Send us a message or email [email protected]
🌐 buildingupbaltimore.org

Let’s build the future our youth deserve.

At Building Up Baltimore, our founder and executive director, Stacey Womble, doesn’t just talk about building community — she studies the craft behind it.

This week, Stacey was spotted diving into Fundamentals of Building Construction: Materials and Methods by Edward Allen and Joseph Iano — a cornerstone text for architects, engineers, and builders. It’s more than a book; it’s a reflection of how deeply she invests in understanding the systems, materials, and methods that shape the neighborhoods we serve.

From the classroom to the construction site, Stacey’s leadership bridges education and empowerment — ensuring our youth and partners see that every wall, every plan, and every collaboration starts with knowledge.

Stronger communities are built with residents, not for them. We bring youth, educators, industry professionals, and community leaders together to imagine and create a more vibrant Baltimore.
Building Up Baltimore... is community transformation rooted in belonging, pride, and shared ownership!

Who has talent? Baltimore has talent! We’re building the pathways. Our young adults gain exposure to skilled trades, construction management, architecture, engineering, real estate development, and entrepreneurship — all through mentorship and industry partnerships.

Curiosity is the first step toward opportunity.
Through hands‑on design challenges, field experiences, and creative exploration, our youth learn how the spaces around them are built — and how they can build the future.

This is what early workforce exposure looks like!

Baltimore’s future is built by the young people who live here.
At Building Up Baltimore, we introduce youth to construction, design, development, and skilled trades — helping them reimagine what’s possible for themselves and their communities.

When funders invest in youth pathways, entire neighborhoods rise.