Twenty years ago, Dina Daly and her husband Derick stood at the edge of a vision.
With social work and finance backgrounds—and a heart for service—they asked themselves a question that would spark a movement. How do we help the youth who need it most? From that question, Building African American Minds (BAAM) was born.
Now, two decades later, that vision has materialized in the form of the new BAAM Academic Center — a 25,000-square-foot facility in Easton, Maryland, that’s more than just a school. It’s a vibrant hub of learning, mentorship, community connection, and opportunity—serving children, teens, adults, and seniors from across Talbot County.
A Center Built on Community
The journey began with a simple after-school program focused on African American boys. As the years passed, BAAM evolved into something much more comprehensive. Today, it serves more than 100 youth daily and operates robust programs for adults and families—from workforce development and GED courses to wellness initiatives and community partnerships.
“This new Academic Center isn’t just a school—it’s a community center,” says Daly, executive director of BAAM. “We start with students at 8 a.m. at Polaris Village Academy, transition into after-school enrichment, and end the evening with adult education programs in partnership with Chesapeake College. We’re open from morning to night.”
The center includes classrooms, meeting spaces, and a fully equipped commercial kitchen. It has become a magnet for community collaboration—hosting local sorority meetings, mental health workshops, public events, and serving as a launchpad for small businesses and caterers in need of licensed kitchen space.
More Than a Building
The Academic Center is the latest addition to what Daly refers to as the “BAAM Campus.” It sits next to the BAAM Athletic Center, completed in 2019, and sets the stage for future developments including a traffic garden to teach bike and pedestrian safety, a storage facility shared with local nonprofits, and possibly even an experiential learning classroom where students can get hands-on training in HVAC, plumbing, and carpentry.
“This has always been about building a place that the community owns,” Daly says. “When we built the gym, we told people, ‘This is yours. Take care of it.’ And they have. That same pride and ownership is carrying over into this new center.”
An Impact That Echoes
BAAM’s success isn’t just measured in square footage or the number of programs offered. It’s reflected in the faces of the families who walk through the doors every day.
Daly recounts how, as their careers took off, she and her husband Derick started a scholarship for African American males, only to receive one applicant. That moment revealed a deeper need—to start earlier and offer consistent support, mentorship, and academic readiness. That insight shaped the foundation of BAAM’s approach: build trust, grow relationships, and start young.
“We didn’t want to tell the community what it needed—we wanted to listen,” Daly explains. “People come to us with ideas, and we build from there.”
That mindset has paid off. Talbot County’s African American community and beyond now see BAAM as a place of hope and support—a trusted resource for everything from academic help to health workshops. And BAAM’s reach continues to grow.
Eyes on the Future
Looking ahead, Daly envisions BAAM’s model expanding across Maryland and eventually nationwide. Other counties have already expressed interest.
“We’ve had people ask us, ‘When are you coming to Dorchester? Caroline?’” she says. “Our goal is to build something that others can replicate, something that’s deeply rooted in community trust and built to last.”
For now, the new Academic Center stands as a powerful symbol of what’s possible when vision meets persistence—and when a community unites behind a shared mission.
“Talbot County believed in us from the beginning,” Daly says. “And now we have a place that reflects that belief—a place where futures are being built every single day.”
About Talbot County Department of Economic Development and Tourism
The Talbot County Department of Economic Development and Tourism’s mission is to enhance and promote a business-friendly environment for current and prospective enterprises and to advocate for policies that support and strengthen the economic vitality of Talbot County. The department’s vision for Talbot County is built on the principles of strong communities, empowered businesses, and innovative solutions.
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