Hey Neighbor, Meet Paris!

Paris is a proud third generation Baltimorean. His grandmother moved to East Baltimore in 1960 from Gaffney, SC at the latter end of the great migration in hopes of finding better employment and a new start for her family. She worked at the North Avenue Motel before moving on to earn an assistant teacher certification from Coppin State Teachers College and later went on to teach at Johnston Square Elementary School.

Paris grew up in Oliver and has volunteered and participated in various events and activities. Paris attended Dr. Bernard Harris, Sr. Elementary School where he participated in the after-school program and chess club. He attended the Dawson Safe Haven Center, where he volunteered and worked as a summer camp counselor through Baltimore City Youthworks. He regularly visited the Oliver Community Recreation Center where he played basketball, participated in the annual Black History Month celebration, and was a member of the movie club. He often enjoyed afternoons at the Madison Recreation Center for fun and to meet new neighbors. Paris graduated from Renaissance Academy High School.

Hey Neighbor! — Unveiling of the statue of Fanny Jackson Coppin, the namesake of Coppin State University

Beyond Oliver, Paris served in Student Government from high school through college and coached youth and high school wrestling through Beat the Streets Baltimore. He has successfully organized online petitions to protest the proposed closure of two Baltimore City Schools, Renaissance Academy (2016) and Dr. Bernard Harris, Sr. Elementary School (2022), and also happen to be his alma maters.

All of Paris’ experiences as an active student and youth leader growing up in East Baltimore sparked his interest in law, politics, civic engagement and ultimately inspired his goal to become an attorney. Paris went on to study law at the University of Baltimore. After law school, he wants to practice civil litigation and do government affairs work and use his skills and re-sources to advocate for more opportunities for youth to grow and develop their talents. He carries on his grandmother's legacy as a proud Coppin State University alumnus. Paris is a law student at the University of Baltimore School of Law, and is a 2024 JD candidate. If you see Paris out and about in Oliver, doing some of his outstanding community advocacy, give him a yell and say, hey neighbor!