The Claude C. Thornton Foundation November eNews
- CCTF Board
- Nov 11
- 7 min read
Updated: Nov 12
Greetings Friends,
November is a time of reflection, gratitude, and connection. As we move deeper into the season, we’re reminded of how important community, rest and giving are as well. We encourage you to perform a small act of kindness this month, whether it be volunteering at a food bank, donating to your favorite charity or doing a favor for a friend.
Your dedication to our foundation throughout the year has helped us uplift and strengthen our collective voice for socioeconomic development in our communities. This month, we'd like to take the time to give thanks for all of you, our partners, volunteers, and supporters who continue to make our mission possible.
Thank you!
With love and gratitude,
The CCTF Team
Highlights
The Clarinet Scholarship Awarded $2,000 in Scholarships
CCTF proudly celebrated three incredible sophomores who were awarded a total of $2,000 in scholarships through our Clarinet Scholarship Program. Each of these students embodies perseverance, hard work, and dedication shining examples of what it means to stay focused and keep striving toward success. Watch our virtual award ceremony online.
Congratulations to our 2025 award recipients:
Benedicta Nzekwe – $1,000
Winner Igbogbo – $500
Wisdom Agbeve – $500
We also extend special recognition to our honorees, Ohinoyi Moiza and Anjolaoluwa Odomo, for their outstanding commitment and leadership.
2025 Greater Baltimore Climate Summit Recap 🌎
The 2025 Greater Baltimore Climate Summit was absolutely incredible!
From the opening plenary to the closing reception, the Summit reminded us what’s possible when community, academia, government, and the private sector come together with purpose.
A heartfelt thank you to every partner, volunteer, host committee member, speaker, poster presenter, co-organizer, and attendee who helped make this year’s event such a success.
BSEC Annual Meeting Follow Up
From Dr. Ben Zaitchik [PI, Baltimore Social-Environmental Collaborative (BSEC)]:
"What comes next?
As many of you know, the Weather Champions program is now underway. Please reach out [email address: zaitchik@jhu.edu] if you’re not yet a participant in the program and would like to learn more.
Outcomes from the breakout discussions on Indoor Air Quality and Energy Security will be summarized and shared with participants. This will take the research team some time to do, so please reach out in the meantime if you’d like to follow up on any aspects of those discussions.
You can view a recording of the Education and Outreach presentation from Sunday morning here: Https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lx0q923JbNk (Regrettably, something went wrong with the recordings of the other talks, but at least we caught this one!)
BSEC will continue its work and will continue its efforts to secure funding for science-informed climate resilience and energy strategies in Baltimore. In parallel, please reach out [email address: zaitchik@jhu.edu] if you have events or activities that you would like to share with the BSEC community."
Upcoming Events
Upcoming Bird Walks around Baltimore with SharInNature
SharInNature invites you to slow down and appreciate our feathered friends. These birding programs are in partnership with several local organizations and will be held throughout the month of November.
Thanks to a sponsorship by Nocs Provisions, each program will also offer breakfast and binoculars!
Program #2:
- Date/Time: Sunday, November 16, 8:00 - 10:30am
- Location: Rawlings Conservatory at Druid Hill Park (3100 Swann Dr, Baltimore, MD 21217)
- Partner Organization: WOCO Hike & Sound Healing (register here)
Program #3:
- Date/Time: Sunday, November 23, 9:30 - 11:30am
- Location: Patapsco State Park - Avalon Area (5268 South St, Halethorpe, MD 21227)
- Partner Organization: Black Girls Hike (register here)
Program #4:
- Date/Time: Sunday, November 30, 8:00 - 10:00am
- Location: Piedmont Learning Center (5517 Piedmont Ave, Gwynn Oak, MD 21207)
- Partner Organization: Deeply Rooted Outdoor Education (register here)
Please reach out to Sharon S. Dorsey, Founder, SharInNature, L.L.C., via email at sharinnature.inbox@gmail.com with any questions.
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At SharInNature, L.L.C, we are dedicated to fostering a deeper connection between people and the environment through immersive experiences in nature. Learn more on my website.
On Saturday, December 6th, join environmental and energy advocates for an Energy Justice Townhall!
Si necesitara traducción en español durante el evento, déjenos saber al inscribirse.
Too many people are experiencing social, economic, and health harms due to the profit-driven, fossil fuel dominated energy system. These burdens are disproportionately felt by those who have the least access to wealth and power under our current structure. From steady increases in our monthly bills, to harm from the very air we breathe both inside our homes and outdoors, to the increasing chaos in our global climate, it’s clear that change is needed NOW.
The Energy Justice Town Hall is a free event that will educate, engage, and activate Baltimore City and Maryland residents to take action on equity issues related to our energy system.
For any questions about the event please contact Zoe Layton at zoe.layton@mdsierra.org.
Register here or copy and paste this link in your browser: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/energy-justice-town-hall-understanding-shaping-our-energy-system-tickets-1909542506039?aff=oddtdtcreator
Dr. Diana Hernandez presents "Powerless: The People's Struggle for Energy" in conversation w/ Green & Healthy Homes Initiative President & CEO Ruth Ann Norton.
Friday, December 5th 2025 | 6:00 pm
Red Emma's Bookstore Coffeehouse, 3128 Greenmount Ave, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
Register here or copy and paste this link in your browser: https://redemmas.org/events/dr-diana-hernandez-presents-powerless-the-people-s-struggle-for-energy-in-conversation-w-green-healthy-homes-initiative-president-ceo-ruth-ann-norton/
Maryland League of Conservation Voters Education Fund, in partnership with GBCS, will provide an overview of how Environmental Justice and funding for climate solutions will be part of the state-level legislative landscape during the upcoming 2026 Maryland General Assembly session (1/14/2026 through 4/13/2026).
Join us for a virtual webinar to get an in-depth understanding of the state legislative process and to decompose current environmental justice and climate finance bills.
Join She’s WELL Networked on November 24th from 4:30–6:30 PM for a powerful roundtable and design lab created specifically for Black women entrepreneurs. This gathering is a dedicated space to reflect on the past year, identify our most pressing needs individually and collectively and explore new possibilities for the road ahead.
This is not a panel or a pitch it’s a collaborative, restorative space to share, listen, dream, and build together.
Join Nü Momish for a Holiday Fundraiser
Capture beautiful holiday memories while supporting local moms in need!
Join Nü Momish on November 23, 2025, from 12:30 PM–3:30 PM in Bel Air, MD for a 15-minute mini family photoshoot, sponsored by YRN Photography.
Each $100 session includes 5–7 edited photos, and 100% of proceeds will support Nü Momish mamas this holiday season.
Spots are limited reserve your session and make this season meaningful. 💛
Resources
Blossoms Blooming Mentorship Program
This video is just a glimpse into our annual Blossoms Brunch award ceremony, where we collectively honor community mentors who have poured into our professional, personal, and emotional growth. 💓
The Blossoms Blooming Mentorship Program empowers young women to reach their full potential through academic and professional mentorship and etiquette training. Last year we launched our group mentoring experience, grounded in discussion topics such as mindset, relationships and partnerships, career mobility, professional opportunities, femininity and more.
We have our annual brunch coming up in the next few months so stay tuned for updates : ) If you would like to learn more about this mentorship program, please click this link to inquire. To keep up to date with Blossoms Blooming follow us on Instagram and/or contact us via email at cari@thecctfoundation.org for any questions or concerns.
Did you know we offer parent coaching?
Parents play an important role in helping their children succeed in school. Parent advocacy means speaking up for your child’s needs and rights. This school year, commit to staying involved and supporting your child every step of the way. In addition to building routine, education planning and prioritizing extracurriculars:
Celebrate Small Accomplishments
Let your child know when they are doing a good job. Whether it’s completing homework, helping at home, learning something new, or showing kindness, praise helps children feel proud and motivated to keep trying.
Listen with Care and Patience
Children are still learning how to express their feelings and make decisions. Sometimes they won’t get things right. When they talk, listen with an open heart and calm voice. Try not to interrupt, yell, or get upset. Let them know they can come to you for help, even when things are hard to talk about.
Wishing everyone a positive, peaceful, and productive start to the school year. You’ve got this! If you would like to schedule a free coaching session with us, please use this link to schedule a session.
Parents, We’re Here for YOU!
From navigating the school system to supporting your child’s mental health and behavior, parenting comes with a lot of challenges and you don’t have to do it alone.
Led by Autrese Thornton, a multi-decade special educator, school administrator, and nonprofit manager, The Claude C. Thornton Foundation’s Parent Advocacy & Coaching Program is here to listen, guide, and empower you with the tools and resources you need.
Tell us: What areas of education, mental health, or behavior do you need the most support with?
Email us at athornton@thecctfoundation.org
The Children's Environmental Health Network announces new state profiles for all 50 states.
The state profiles are a compilation of nation-wide information that allows state-by-state comparisons of uniformly defined data about environmental hazards, environmental exposures, and relevant children’s health outcomes. While select states have previously been released, this is the first time we've unveiled updated profiles across the country.
Decisions made at the state and local levels have a significant impact on environmental health protections and equity that our children need. For decision-makers to address children’s environmental health concerns in an informed way they must first understand the current state of issues in their jurisdiction.
The CEHN state profiles are an answer to an existing gap in this process: there have historically been very few accessible sources of robust, regularly updated, and uniformly-defined state-level children’s environmental health indicators. CEHN is collecting and sharing the best available of these in our new resources. Check them out here or copy and paste this link in your browser: http://cehn.org/states/
Volunteer Opportunities
Support the Natural Born Champions Annual Food Drive!
Join us in making a difference this season by supporting the Natural Born Champions Inc. Annual Food Drive. Together, we can help ensure families facing food insecurity have nutritious meals and comfort during the holidays.
Our champions give back! NBC is collecting food donations for families in need and we need your help to make it happen. Drop off canned goods, pasta, or hot meals by November 21st, or sign up to volunteer on November 24th for our youth meal distribution 10:00am-11:00am at St. Vincent De Paul Church.
Drop-Off Locations: 3901 Maine Ave or 1500 Barclay Street, Baltimore, MD
To volunteer or for more information, visit naturalbornchampions.com or call 443-438-5176 ext. 0.
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