TEDCO Talks: Troy LeMaile-Stovall Interviews Toni Draper

CEOs discuss current Baltimore project to digitize Black history 

COLUMBIA, Md. (January 10, 2024) – TEDCO, Maryland’s economic engine for technology companies, released another episode of TEDCO Talks. Throughout this insightful series, TEDCO CEO, Troy LeMaile-Stovall, connects with thought leaders throughout the state of Maryland and beyond, to discuss different topics regarding economic development.

On this episode, LeMaile-Stovall speaks with Dr. Frances “Toni” Draper, CEO and publisher for AFRO-American Newspapers. The discussion began with a congratulations for Draper’s upcoming 50 years of marriage; she indulged a few tips that she feels are essential, discussed her family legacy, and how technology and media collide.

“…There is a connection, not the least of which is Baltimore… but I did want to talk about an amazing project she is doing and the preservation of this legacy and the digitization of this legacy and the archive she’s established,” LeMaile-Stovall said.

Explaining her work with Afro Charities, and their collaboration with AFRO-American Newspapers, Draper said they’re “developing a historic mansion called the Upton Mansion… This mansion is the last standing Greek revival mansion in Baltimore… it’s been abandoned for more than 15 years. We – when I say we, I mean Afro Charities – is redeveloping that to be the permanent home of what we believe is the most consequential archive of Black history in the country, if not in the world. That’s because we have 131 years of Black history, not just Baltimore history, but across the United States, with 3 million photographs and other rare recordings.”

Learn more about AFRO-American Newspapers, Afro Charities, and more by listening to the full episode here.

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