Randall Newsome

BALTIMORE — For the finale of our Black Music Month series, we spotlight a do‑it‑all talent whose music lives wherever she walks into a room. Ashley Adewumi Lakayla Yates — better known as Black Assets — blends powerful vocals, multi‑instrumental skill and a deep commitment to community to keep the soul of Black music alive. “I think I’m all things,” she says of her stage name. “[It's] Black Assets intentionally — the "S" is on the end because I stand on the shoulders of giants.

BALTIMORE — For nearly 25 years, the hit HBO show The Wire has remained one of the most recognizable portrayals of Baltimore, shaping how many people across the country view the city. While the critically acclaimed series earned praise for its depiction of Baltimore's struggles with crime, drugs, violence and corruption, some community leaders believe the show's lasting impact has also contributed to a narrow perception of the city.

Rooted in faith and blessed with an undeniable gift, Pastor Jason Nelson’s journey from a Baltimore church pew to stages before thousands is a story of calling, mentorship and the enduring power of gospel music. Nelson traces his start to “a small church in Baltimore” where, as a child, he watched his brother sing while he stayed in the background playing bass. Quiet by nature — “most people can’t tell… but I’m an introvert” — he didn’t at first see his voice as anything extraordinary.