Prof. King and Sonia Eaddy Awarded 2023 Crystal Eagle

Congratulations to Professor Nicole King and Sonia Eaddy! 

For 2023, the Crystal Eagle was awarded jointly to two extraordinary women. Sonia Eaddy is a homeowner, resident of west Baltimore, and community activist and Nicole King is an Associate Professor at the University of Maryland in Baltimore County. The award commemorates their efforts to save the historic black neighborhood of Poppleton from being destroyed and replaced by an ill-conceived, poorly planned, and largely failed urban renewal project. Although this project came into existence nearly 50 years ago, and resulted in the destruction of over 500 private properties, very little redevelopment has taken place. Meanwhile, the neighborhood of Poppleton has been left to suffer the loss of its' homes, shops, and businesses.

But instead of giving up, the residents have fought back. Led by determined Sonia Eaddy and Professor Nicole King (whose knowledge and research of the disastrous impact that urban renewal has had on black and brown communities, particularly in Baltimore, proved invaluable in changing hearts and minds) they have now convinced city officials to withdraw the eminent domain taking of Sonia Eaddy's home and several historic town homes. But these two remarkable women are not done fighting. They understand that the movement they started is far bigger than any one or two people. They intend to continue their grassroots community effort to force the City to consider the needs and desires of all stakeholders in any redevelopment that should take place, but particularly the residents of Poppleton.