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Mark Williams

Mark

Mark Williams is Opinion Editor at the Baltimore Banner. He is responsible for bringing voices to the opinion page that represent a broad range of viewpoints and reflect the diverse communities and institutions that the Baltimore region comprises. He selects and edits opinion articles, essays, commentaries, and letters to the editor. Mark also contributes essays that apply his perspectives to exploring the culture and history of the Baltimore region and the people who live here. Those perspectives are informed by decades of opinion writing, editing, and reporting. His time in a variety of newsroom settings includes coverage of government, politics, and racial and economic justice issues.

Latest content by Mark Williams

Duke Ellington, shown here with longtime collaborator Billy Strayhorn, performed for the Left Bank Jazz Society in the 1970s.
Commentary: Duke Ellington’s lasting impressions on Baltimore
Duke Ellington added to his legacy as an artist and a cultural figure when he appeared in Baltimore.
(l to r) Album covers for the neo-soul artists D’Angelo. Erykah Badu, Goapele and Tony! Toni! Toné!
Commentary: How a soul music purist got hooked on neo-soul, too
Seeing Tony! Toni! Toné! and then Goapele live in concert in Baltimore, just months apart, means a lifelong soul music lover is now hooked on what has become known as “neo-soul.”
Portrait of James W.C. Pennington, the first African American to attend Yale, hangs in the Divinity School’s common room.
Commentary: James W.C. Pennington couldn’t be dehumanized or deterred
The life of abolitionist, clergyman and historian James W.C. Pennington, the first Black person to study at Yale, began in enslavement in Maryland.
Charles Osgood, anchor of CBS’s “Sunday Morning,” on the set in New York on March 28, 1999.  Osgood, who anchored the popular news magazine for more than two decades, was host of the long-running radio program “The Osgood File” and was referred to as CBS News’ poet-in-residence.
Commentary: Charles Osgood remembered what he loved about Baltimore
Charles Osgood recalled his Baltimore upbringing as giving him so much that he loved.
Martin Luther King biographer Jonathan Eig is interviewed at the Reginald F. Lewis Museum by museum President Terri Lee Freeman.
Commentary: Martin Luther King Jr. was a great man; he’s not a deity
Learning about Martin Luther King as a man and not only as an icon adds to our understanding of his contributions and legacy.
Andre Braugher as detective Frank Pembleton in “Homicide: Life on the Street.”
Commentary: Andre Braugher made himself part of Baltimore
The actor, who lived in Baltimore as “Homicide: Life on the Streets” was filmed in the city, made an impact that went beyond his memorable portrayal of Baltimore Police Detective Frank Pembleton.
Richard Roundtree in the Gordon Parks movie “Shaft” (1971).
Commentary: Baltimore saw “Shaft” before almost anyplace else
Actor Richard Roundtree, who died Tuesday at age 81, created the iconic film character John Shaft, who redefined Black male characterization in movies and across popular culture.
American jazz singer Billie Holiday (1915-1959), also known as “Lady Day,” during a 1954 performance. Picture Post-7380-Billie Holiday-unpub.
Commentary: When it comes to Billie Holiday, we still have a lot to learn
Familiar portrayals of traumatic and tragic elements of Billie Holiday’s life can miss the point of her story: Eleanora Fagan from Baltimore had a singular voice and a lasting musical and cultural impact.
Musicians Joshua Redman (L) and  Gabriel Kahane.
Commentary: How a conversation on a train turned into a song about Baltimore
An acclaimed musician and composer traveled 8,980 miles aboard six trains through 31 states. He spoke with as many as 80 strangers and turned the conversations into songs, including one about Baltimore.
A place for taking a stroll along Keyser Quad at the Johns Hopkins University Homewood Campus.
The best places for a post-dinner walk in Baltimore
Baltimore offers quite a few nice settings for couples on a date to take a walk together or sit for a chat outdoors to keep the romance going - or get it started.
Over the years, John Fowler has taken on the role of archivist for about 300 reels audio tapes. The tapes include recordings of Left Bank Jazz Society concerts in Baltimore of legendary jazz artists including Sonny Stitt, Shirley Scott and Walter Bishop as well as local musicians and singers.
Commentary: Remembering the contributions of the Left Bank Jazz Society
Left Bank Jazz Society founding member John Fowler has held on to treasured recordings of concerts at the Famous Ballroom on Charles Street. He’s kept alive the memories of Baltimore audiences enjoying artists ranging from Duke Ellington and Count Basie to Rahsaan Roland Kirk and Sun Ra.
This collection shows covers of some of the most popular Isley Brothers albums from 1959 to 1987. Their career has shaped popular music and influenced a broad range of other artists for three generations. They are headlining the AFRAM cultural and music festival at Baltimore's Druid Hill Park on Sunday.
Commentary: Let’s give the Isley Brothers the appreciation they deserve
The Isley Brothers, who will headline Baltimore’s AFRAM cultural and music festival Sunday, have shaped popular music for three generations, resonating with audiences and influencing countless rock, soul, and hip-hop artists along the way, Banner Opinion Editor Mark Williams says.
Willie Simms celebrating after winning the 1897 Suburban Handicap with Ben Brush
Commentary: Willie Simms made history at the Preakness 125 years ago
This year's Preakness marks 125 years since Willie Simms, one of the most successful riders of his time and one of the first to adopt the modern rider position and technique, won the race and became the only Black jockey to win all three Triple Crown events.
Statue of Harriet Tubman who hunted muskrat for food at the  Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Historical Park, Church Creek.
Commentary: What catching muskrats as a child taught Harriet Tubman
Childhood depiction with muskrat offers glimpse of her survival during enslavement
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Wes Moore gives his victory speech at an Election Night event at the Baltimore Marriott Waterfront on Tuesday, November 8.
Commentary: Wes Moore seized this moment in history to become governor
Wes Moore's landslide election victory demonstrates that Marylanders view him as the right man to lead the state at this moment in history. He carries that broad support into office along with high hopes that his vision for the state and plans to build consensus will be realized.

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