Black Woman Makes History As First To Own A Block On Baltimore's Waterfront

Property ownership is something the Black community has been striving to make a norm for generations. Owning property was impossible for much of the country’s history due to the racism and systemic oppression in America. Due to this slow societal transition to equality, it has not always been feasible for people of color to accomplish feats, like owning property, at the same rates as non-systemically oppressed communities. Yet, every day there are more and more Black people who rise above the dark past of the country and bring their community up with them.

Dr. Vonnya Pettigrew is one of those trailblazers. She has recently been named the first Black woman in Maryland to own a block on the waterfront. This significant land ownership case benefits Black people in many ways, especially those wanting to appreciate Black-owned spaces. Generation wealth, economic empowerment, and better resource access are common results of property ownership. People of color can also strengthen their family legacy, preserve cultural heritage, and improve their quality of life through property ownership. These are a few of the many goals Dr. Pettigrew has in mind with her recent purchase in the appealing city of Baltimore.

Buying The Block In Baltimore

Dr. Vonnya Pettigrew is a dynamic professional with an interesting past. The Philadelphia native’s list of accomplishments spans well before her headlining ownership of a block in Baltimore. Dr. Pettigrew earned her Bachelor of Arts in Communication from the University of Maryland College Park. Since earning her degree, she has gained 27 years of experience in the professional media industry wearing many hats including writer, TV producer, filmmaker, director, casting agent, and instructor. Dr. Pettigrew even worked at the White House at one point before her career in television and film.

Dr. Pettigrew is also a member of several organizations and clubs such as the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). She served as a White House Intern and is a Goldman Sachs 10KSM Program alumni. In 2023, Dr. Pettigrew received an honorary doctorate in business philosophy from Trinity International University of Ambassadors (TIUA). She has been written about in countless popular publications. Dr. Pettigrew is currently the CEO and Founder of the Root Branch Empire which includes a media production firm.

How And Why Dr. Vonya Pettigrew Made The Historic Purchase

This entrepreneur has a strong media empire which motivated her to purchase the block in Baltimore. To expand this empire, Dr. Pettigrew purchased an entire block so that her entities could exist near each other. She financed the historical purchase without the help of programs, grants, or investors. Instead, Dr. Pettigrew used the Reinvestment Fund, which helps to bring to life socially impactful projects.

“The Root Branch Multiverse,” as Pettigrew calls it, will include the media group, a coffee brand, a property management company, an outreach institute, and more. Pettigrew’s new RBMG Building Canton Harbor has been a major help to the surrounding community having already been used for good. There is a space where small business owners in the community can learn. They can get training on how to use media marketing and digital assets. These types of impactful resources make the block purchase a win for the whole community.