The Baltimore Crown Awards is a love offering. The annual award show gives flowers to hard-working Baltimore artists, DJs, curators, dancers, producers, and more. Attendees dress in purple as a nod to the Baltimore Ravens football team.
The 2024 ceremony, themed “Our Beautiful Baltimore,” took place on Dec. 8 at Ikonic Live. The awards were given to everyone from living legends to up-and-comers just beginning to make a name for themselves.
Chin-Yer Wright, founder of The Baltimore Scene, started organizing the awards show in 2006. The Baltimore Scene is a curatorial platform that unites many facets of the Baltimore arts community, including poets, MCs, musicians, dancers, promoters, and community activists.
“I started it because I love Baltimore,” Wright said. “It’s a Mecca full of genius, talent, love, authenticity, and unity. I noticed that when I travel outside of Baltimore, the city isn’t seen accurately.”
Wright said she has grown the celebration through a mixture of “persistence and destiny.” She’d like to take it even further.
“I would love everyone in the city to be familiar with it and, more importantly, for everyone in the city to take the time to give someone their flowers. When people think of the word Baltimore, I want [them to] automatically think of talent, togetherness, creativity, and love.”
Wright’s goal of celebrating Baltimore’s artists recently expanded. She now hosts The Baltimore Scene radio show on WEAA 88.9 on Thursdays at 7 p.m.
The Baltimore Scene was founded by curator and author Chin-Yer in 2006.
The group’s collaborative mission is to “connect, celebrate, enhance, serve, encourage, and affirm Baltimore’s thriving artistic community.” (Eze Jackson)
