Building African American Minds (BAAM) Awarded $594,000+ in State Grants to Transform Moton Street Properties into Community & Educational Hub

Building African American Minds, Inc. (BAAM) announced it has secured two major state grants totaling $594,140 to support the demolition of three condemned properties at 406 Moton Street and advance the expansion of the BAAM Campus in Easton, Maryland.
The revitalized site will be redeveloped into a vibrant community and educational asset featuring a Career & Technology Center, a Community Garden, a Safety Town (Traffic Garden), and dedicated campus parking.
The funding includes:
• $320,000 from the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) – Strategic Demolition Fund, which will cover the clearing and site preparation of the blighted properties.
• $274,140 from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) – Greenspace Equity Grant Program, which will fund the outdoor community amenities, including the raised-bed community garden and the Safety Town/ traffic garden skills area.
Located adjacent to the existing BAAM Academic & Athletic Center and Moton Park, the acquired properties at 406 Moton Street previously housed three condemned, blighted buildings. The removal of these structures eliminates long-standing public safety hazards while paving the way for seamless integration with Moton Park and expanding opportunities for local youth and families.
Key Campus Expansion Features:
• Career & Technology Center: A dedicated vocational facility designed to provide hands-on workforce development, technical training, and educational space for local youth and young adults.
• Greenspace & Community Garden: Accessible outdoor space featuring raised garden beds, native plantings, and educational gathering areas to promote healthy living, environmental literacy, and community wellness.
• Safety Town (Traffic Garden): BAAM will partner with Talbot Thrive, Inc. a nonprofit located in Easton (Talbot County), MD to design and built a scaled, paved street-and-intersection replica where children and residents can practice bicycle and pedestrian safety in a controlled, educational environment.
• Campus Parking & Infrastructure: Essential parking infrastructure to accommodate staff, participants, and visitors attending programs across the expanding BAAM Campus.
“This funding marks a transformative moment for the Moton Street neighborhood and the entire Easton community,” said, Dina Daly, Executive Director of BAAM. “By removing these vacant, blighted structures, we are not only improving safety and aesthetics—we are building long-term opportunities for career development, health, and hands-on learning right in our backyard.”
Demolition and initial site preparation are scheduled to begin in late summer/early fall 2026, with full redevelopment following in phases.
For more information about BAAM, its programs, or ongoing campus expansion efforts, please visit https://baaminc.org/ or contact Dina Daly @ dinadaly@baaminc.org.