I've lived less than an hour from Baltimore for a long time, and even I never realized how wrong the story we're told about the city is.

But are we surprised? Baltimore is a very Black city, in a way that makes it ripe for mythologizing, stereotyping, and mischaracterizing.

That very same, very Black city that we found when we went to film this episode of Our Block, the Black food and travel series that debuts today, is so much more than the headlines.

I sipped matcha at Equitea that rivals anything I've had anywhere, crafted with real care by folks who understand the history of the ritual and want to meet you wherever you are with your exploration: sweet, straight up, or with a seasonal twist. This is just one of many Black spaces in Baltimore to slow down, to let your shoulders drop, to just be for a while.

I stood in the Reginald F. Lewis Museum, where the history on the walls is simply the truth, told plainly, even as, in 2026, telling that truth has somehow been made "political." Owning our own narrative is a luxury often denied to Black folks.

I had the best vegan ice cream at Cajou Creamery, bursting with flavors like Jamaican Rum Raisin and Soursop. For the many Black folks who are lactose intolerant or vegan, Cajou Creamery ensures they still get to have a little sweet treat, and one that represents their tastes and history.

And I had one of my all-time favorite meals at Rooted Rotisserie, a restaurant that could have set up shop in any city, any neighborhood. Instead it's in Baltimore, right down the street from where co-owner and chef Joe Burton grew up. Because that's where they wanted it. Because we deserve nice things.

I was met with so much pride, by Black folks who had built something for themselves. Truly for us, by us. All across the city, people saying, "You know what? We're going to do this for us."

That's the Baltimore I want to introduce you to. And it's live now on YouTube, the very first episode of Our Block.

It took a long road and a lot of investment to get here. Thank you to everyone who donated to help make this series a reality, and to Visit Baltimore for helping sponsor this episode.

Watch this episode, and if you enjoy it as much as we did making it, let us know in the comments.

Join me Wednesday, August 12th at 7pm ET, live. This is where I answer questions about things I can't put in a caption: the money, the decisions, the parts of the shoot that were harder than they looked.

Bring your questions about the show or anything else you want to dig into. I’ll send out the recording afterward for anyone who misses it.