Founder

Is a public servant who spent over three decades of his life serving at the historic Shake and Bake Family Fun Center where he started engaging and mentoring young boys, teens, and young adult males in the Upton and Sandtown - Winchester Communities. After being delivered from a life of heroin and cocaine addiction, which started at age twelve, Williams began connecting, motivating, and inspiring others to strive toward success using various techniques and tools by, what he calls, “winning souls with wisdom”. His mission is to help others recognize the importance of putting into action those activities that will help them to reach the definition of success they’ve identified for themselves. I can relate to the challenges of having an Absentee Father, like many inner city youth and my mantra is, “WHEN I SEE YOU, I SEE ME”. Williams has spent more than three decades dedicating his life to redirecting youth and young adults in the city of Baltimore. As a husband, father, grandfather, and Ordained Clergyman, “I believe it’s imperative to be a positive influence and lead by example when it comes to developing the lives of young boys, teens, and young adults”. Williams was featured on WEAA and CPB Finding America, “Shake and Bake Saved My Life”, and his journey is written in Gov. Wes Moore’s book, “Five Days” A Fiery Reckoning of an American City. 

Program Director

Is a Baltimore native and proud product of Baltimore City Public Schools. After completing school and playing professional football with the Baltimore Mariners, he discovered his true calling and passion, youth development. Powell has spent over a decade investing in youth labeled as at- risk. In addition to working with various organizations with youth development at the hub of their mission, “Coach Powell” is the co-founder of Seeds of Promise - Transforming Black Boys into Men, an organization cultivated in response to President Obama’s My Brother’s Keeper initiative. His diverse skill set include restorative practices, crisis intervention and violence prevention, trauma informed care, and yoga and mindfulness. While fiercely committed to improving academic and behavioral outcomes for young boys and teens, reduced suspensions, increased graduation rates, and reduced truancy from school   has been Daijeon’s strength in building future leaders. Powell instituted Jr. HBCUExperience to CBM and this portion of our program, which consist of intramural sports, enhances teamwork and leadership skills. It also introduce students, in middle school, to Historical Black Colleges and Universities through tours to various local colleges.

Operations Manager

As a former BridgeEdU student, Alcedo exceeded the odds and increased his entry level 1.2 GPA to an astounding 4.0 GPA at the completion of his first year with Bridge EdU.. As a student and former mentee to Maryland’s current  Governor, Wes Moore, Hodge exceeded all negative stigmas that are attached to our male high school graduates in Baltimore City. He discovered that there was greatness within him after developing some discipline and becoming focused. While learning that listening is a skill. Alcedo has been a mentor and motivator for young boys and teens for over ten years. He has served as a volunteer tutor for the PAL program and multiple community relation efforts for youth. Hodge has participated in many public outreach endeavors that promote family unity and health awareness to urban neighborhoods. His goal is to help improve the lives of ordinary youth through building stronger communities and goodwill efforts such as building renovations in urban communities to give our youth what once was his place of refuge, local recreation centers.