Now Playing: “Lovely Day” – Bill Withers
Every city has a story. Unfortunately, Baltimore’s story is often told by people who have never truly taken the time to experience it.
Welcome to Signed, A Baltimore Native, a travel blog dedicated to showing Baltimore through the eyes of someone who has called this city home. My name is Jazmine McAlily, and while I am not traveling across the world this summer, I decided to take a different approach: I want to explore the city I know and share the places, people, food, history, and culture that make Baltimore special.
As a Baltimore native, I have always felt a strong connection to this city, but I also understand why many people have a complicated relationship with it. Baltimore often receives negative attention because of its historically high crime rates, and for many people outside of the city, their main exposure to Baltimore comes from shows like The Wire. While those stories highlight real issues, they do not represent the full picture of what Baltimore is.
Baltimore is a city full of creativity, resilience, history, and community. I want people who have never visited Baltimore to feel excitement, not fear. I want them to understand that crime exists everywhere, and Baltimore should not be defined only by its struggles. There is so much more to discover here.
Growing up, I constantly heard conversations from people around me saying, “I can’t wait to get out of this city” or “There’s nothing here for us.” As a child, I understood why people felt that way. I was not old enough to explore everything the city had to offer, and there were definitely areas where Baltimore could improve. However, as I have grown older, I have watched this city continue to evolve. New restaurants have opened, new businesses have emerged, more events have been created, and more people are investing in Baltimore’s future.
Every Thursday during the summer, Patterson Park comes alive with the sounds of the Baltimore Pop-up Jazz Jam, a free concert series that transforms parks and green spaces across the city into gathering places for neighbors, families, and music lovers. Led by bassist, arranger, composer, and educator Ed Hrybyk, this community tradition is now in its seventh consecutive year and is a beautiful example of Baltimore’s thriving arts scene. Check out his Instagram here for upcoming shows/ dates.
One thing I have always wondered is: if we want our city to improve, what are we doing to help make it better?
Growing up, I always believed that education, personal growth, and community involvement were important parts of creating change. Complaining about what Baltimore lacks without contributing anything to the solution became frustrating to me. I believe young people in this city have the ability to create a different future for Baltimore, and I want them to see examples of what is possible.
Located just across from Patterson Park at 2901 Eastern Avenue, Taquería El Sabor del Parque has become one of my favorite places to eat. Their authentic Mexican cuisine, welcoming atmosphere, and consistently delicious food make it a neighborhood staple that I find myself returning to again and again.
I’m passionate about sharing the places that give Baltimore its character, check out their menu here.
I remember working at Uno Pizzeria in the Inner Harbor when I was younger. One day, I was serving an older Black man and his family. They were clearly successful and well-established, and during our conversation he asked me where I was from. When I told him Baltimore, he asked, “Do you ever want to get out of this city?”
Immediately, I felt offended.
Not because there is anything wrong with wanting to explore the world or experience something new, but because that question carried a bigger message that I had heard many times before: the idea that success could not exist in Baltimore.
At that point in my life, I had already accomplished things I was proud of. I graduated from Western High School, the oldest public all-girls high school in the nation and one of Baltimore’s top college preparatory schools. I had traveled, worked multiple jobs, earned my associate degree, and learned how to support myself at a young age. Coming from a lower-middle-class background, I understood that life came with challenges, but I also understood that my circumstances did not define my future.
That moment reminded me why representation matters. I want young Baltimoreans to see themselves in stories like mine. I want teenagers and young adults in this city to know they have options. They can pursue education, careers, entrepreneurship, art, travel, or whatever path they choose. They can build a successful life while still being proud of where they come from.
Life is too short to only focus on what a place lacks. Sometimes we have to take the time to recognize what is already there.
Through Signed, A Baltimore Native, readers can expect personal stories from my experiences around the city, including local events, restaurants, cultural experiences, historical sites, and hidden gems that showcase the many sides of Baltimore. My goal is simple: to tell a more complete story about my hometown.
So whether you are a lifelong Baltimore resident, someone who left years ago, or someone who has never visited before, I invite you to see Baltimore differently.
Welcome to my city.
Welcome to Signed, A Baltimore Native.
signed, a baltimore native 