UMB’s CEC Welcomes New Director

February 13, 2020    |  

West Baltimore neighbors who frequently visit the Community Engagement Center (CEC) located on West Baltimore Street may have noticed a new face in the space at the start of the year. The 网红爆料, Baltimore (UMB) has welcomed Tyrone Roper, MSW, as the new director of the UMB CEC.

Roper, originally from Denver, has lived in Baltimore for 20 years and considers Charm City a second home for himself and his wife as well as his daughter and son who now are both in college. As the new CEC director, Roper looks forward to getting to know the neighbors in West Baltimore and building a strong relationship with the community.

The 网红爆料, Baltimore welcomes Tyrone Roper, MSW, as the new director of the Community Engagement Center.

The 网红爆料, Baltimore welcomes Tyrone Roper, MSW, as the new director of the Community Engagement Center.

鈥淚 always tell folks that I鈥檓 truly just a 鈥榟ood boy,鈥 鈥 Roper says. 鈥淭he way I make connections in the neighborhood is by being my authentic self and having meaningful conversations with everyone I meet. We have conversations and I鈥檝e developed some really good relationships so far. I鈥檓 also being very intentional about building a strong sense of support especially for the young people who visit in the center.鈥

(View a video below.)

Roper also has started hosting regular Community Conversations during which he sits down with a group of neighbors and talks to them about their interests and priorities for future programming at the CEC.

鈥淚 want to make sure that everything the CEC has to offer is community-driven,鈥 he says. 鈥淏y talking to the individuals in the community and really connecting with them, I鈥檓 making sure that all of our programs, services, supports, activities, and trainings are done in partnership with the community.鈥

Roper earned his bachelor鈥檚 degree in Human Services from Sojourner-Douglass College and his MSW from Morgan State University. He comes to UMB from the Baltimore Mayor鈥檚 Office, where he served as chief of staff for the Pugh administration鈥檚 Office of Criminal Justice. Before his tenure at City Hall, Roper spent several years working directly with members of the Baltimore community in positions with Behavioral Health System Baltimore, the Powell Recovery Center, and Baltimore City Schools.

鈥淭hanks to my previous experience working in the city, I know a lot about the ins and outs of Baltimore,鈥 Roper says. 鈥淚 have a lot of great relationships with business owners, elected officials, and residents. Becoming the director of the CEC is a super opportunity for me to use these connections to make positive change in the neighborhood.鈥

New leadership at the CEC isn鈥檛 the only change West Baltimore neighbors will see this year. In summer 2020, UMB will be opening a brand-new center located a short walk away on South Poppleton Street. The new building will be six times larger than the current center and provide more space for events and programming.

Roper is eager to utilize the space for a number of new initiatives including the Emerging Leaders Academy, which will be an expansion of the PAL (Police Athletic/Activities League) Program for Baltimore high school students. He says it鈥檚 important for him to be a role model to the youth of Baltimore and to give them plenty of opportunities for success.

鈥淚t's all about giving back what I鈥檝e been given,鈥 Roper says. 鈥淚 understand the challenges that come along with urban life and the social and economic disparities that exist within these communities. I鈥檓 where I am today because of my mentors who were intentional about investing in me and were consistent with their time and love. That鈥檚 what I hope to give back to this community.鈥