We firmly stand against gentrification and its harmful effects on communities. Gentrification often displaces long-term residents, erases the cultural identity of neighborhoods, and prioritizes profits over people. We believe in fostering inclusive growth and protecting the rights of those who have built and sustained these communities for generations. Our commitment is to advocate for equitable development that benefits everyone, not just a select few. Together, we can work towards creating thriving neighborhoods that honor their history, diversity, and the people who call them home.

Baltimore City Public Schools (BCPS) has closed both the former New Era Academy and Dr. Carter G. Woodson school sites, leaving the buildings vacant for several years. Dr. Carter G. Woodson Elementary/Middle School was formally approved for closure in 2017 and vacated in the summer of 2018. New Era Academy remained in operation longer but was ultimately closed at the end of the 2022–2023 school year. These closures resulted in two large, unused public facilities positioned in the center of Cherry Hill.

To determine future use of these long-vacant properties, BCPS issued a formal Call for Proposals on August 1, 2025, seeking qualified organizations to redevelop or repurpose the former school sites. A pre-proposal meeting was held on August 7, 2025, and proposals were due on September 15, 2025. The goal of this process is to ensure that redevelopment of the New Era Academy and Dr. Carter G. Woodson properties aligns with community needs and generates meaningful benefits for Cherry Hill residents.

WTPUFC responded to the Baltimore City Public Schools (BCPS) Call for Proposals because the Cherry Hill community urgently needs meaningful change, responsible development, and a renewed commitment to public safety and opportunity. For years, the former New Era Academy and Dr. Carter G. Woodson school sites have sat vacant, contributing to blight, safety concerns, and a lack of productive community assets. Residents made clear that they want to see these properties transformed into spaces that bring value, resources, and growth back into the neighborhood.

Recognizing these needs, WTPUFC stepped forward and submitted a proposal focused on community-centered redevelopment. Our response to the Call for Proposals is rooted in our mission to advocate for Cherry Hill and ensure that long-neglected public properties are restored in ways that benefit residents. WTPUFC is committed to advancing redevelopment that addresses both immediate concerns and long-term community goals—promoting safety, revitalization, economic opportunity, and neighborhood pride.

WTPUFC and CHDC are actively working together as partners and through this partnership, both organizations are combining their strengths, resources, and community engagement efforts to support responsible redevelopment in Cherry Hill, to ensure that the reuse of the former BCPS school sites reflects community priorities, equity, and long-term neighborhood benefit.

Together, the closure of the BCPS buildings, the BCPS 2025 Call for Proposals, CHDC’s long-standing redevelopment leadership, and the formal partnership between WTPUFC and CHDC represent a coordinated effort to guide Cherry Hill toward a future defined by growth, stability, and community-driven transformation.

The proposal focuses on transforming these properties into safe, inclusive, and community-driven spaces that strengthen neighborhood stability, prevent displacement, and ensure that redevelopment directly benefits the residents of Cherry Hill. The proposal directly aligns with Cherry Hill Development Corporation's vision, which is highlighted in the 2020 Cherry Hill Transformation Plan.

The Cherry Hill Development Corporation formally completed the Cherry Hill Transformation Plan on April 16, 2020  and the transformation plan was adopted by the city’s planning commission. 

The planning process itself began earlier, with community-driven work and stakeholder meetings starting in 2019. 

It is this transformation plan that Cherry Hill Development Corporation created that We The People United For Change, Inc has integrated into its Business Plan... all with the exclusive permission of the Cherry Hill Development Corporation. 

Our Commitment

As we await BCPS's decision on our proposal for The New Era Academy/Dr. Carter G. Woodson property, we remain deeply committed to engaging with the community. Together, we’ve organized clean-up efforts to address illegal dumping on the property, collaborated with local agencies, and ensured that residents' voices are heard. 

On October 7, 2025, at approximately 7:09 p.m., WTPUFC and members of the Cherry Hill community participated in the BCPS public comment session, where WTPUFC Event Coordinator Jenna Crocker addressed the BCPS Board of Commissioners to support community members who voiced their concerns and to address the ongoing issues related to securing New Era Academy and Dr. Carter G. Woodson for community safety and public benefit. 

As a result, BCPS responded by sending building maintenance workers to survey the site, secure open entry points, and begin an initial clean-up of the area.