Imani Spence

Imani Spence is an Arts and Culture writer. In the Arts and Culture she is mostly interested in literature and theater with a focus on the literary history of Baltimore. In 2022, she graduated with her Master’s in Library and Information Science at the University of Maryland, College Park. In the past, she’s freelanced for BmoreArt, the UMBC Magazine and City Paper (RIP). Her coverage focuses on how art affects the lives of people who live and create in Baltimore. Baltimore’s rich literary history is fertile ground for more coverage on literary arts and writers who live here. Art is fundamental to a healthy city. At the UMBC Magazine and BmoreArt, Imani learned about the power of community. Writing about arts showed Imani the varied talent that is present in Baltimore. In her personal life, she has been learning about Baltimore’s queer history and how it directly ties to artists who live and work in Baltimore. Working with these publications, Imani has learned the value of establishing community around shared history and interests. Imani has had a varied work background, spending time in media, academia and nonprofits since graduating from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County in 2016. She began her career at the Marc Steiner Show as one of two producers on the daily radio show. Radio and sound production was what made her most interested in journalism as a profession. She served as Vice President of the Baltimore Abortion Fund’s board from 2018 to 2021 which empowered her to be politically engaged with Baltimore. Imani loves Baltimore, books and TV but is skeptical of all books and TV about Baltimore.