Cherring Spence

Neighbordood: Parklane

Photography by Kirby Griffin


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Part 1

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Part 2

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One of the things that keeps me going is the need, and there is so much need here…. I’ve been trying to work diligently to do what I can do. I can’t do everything, but everybody has a part to play, so I’m just trying to do my part.

-Cherring Spence

Cherring Annette Spence lives and works in Central Park Heights in the Parklane Community. 

She is originally from Elizabeth City, NC but has lived and worked in Baltimore for more than 45 years. She is the President of Parklane Neighborhood Association; President of Parklane & James D. Gross Recreation Council; Overseeing Pastor at The Gathering Well, Inc; former board member of Neighborhoods United; Executive Minister at her former church; and trained Trouble Shooter and Facilitator. She worked for the federal government in various positions and for various federal agencies for 21 years. Ms. Spence retired from the Department of the Army at Kimbrough Ambulatory Care Center, Civilian Personnel, Fort George G. Meade in 2000. After retiring in 2000, she volunteered for the American Red Cross of Central Maryland and provided training to various businesses, senior centers, and schools on Disaster Preparedness. She later pursued a degree in Health Administration and is currently enrolled in a course on Real Estate Development.

 Projects Ms. Spence has worked on include: revitalizing Edgecombe Park; creating the Parklane Community Garden; establishing the Parklane & James D. Gross Recreation Council; facilitating the establishment of a playground at Garrison and Park Heights Avenue; being an active board member of Neighborhoods United; spearheading the Parklane Spring Fling Block Party on an annual basis; working on various food give-away projects; working on several community cleanup projects; working with artist, Whitney Frazier, to establish a placemaking project at Edgecombe Park; working to resolve many community issues for residents; and, serve as the overseeing pastor at a local church to advance the Kingdom of God. She is a mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.


The Guardians is a photo documentary & storytelling project including photo portraits, large scale banners and digital archives that celebrate unrecognized Black female leaders across Baltimore City neighborhoods. This project provides a platform for women who spend their lives fighting for a better, more equitable Baltimore.

Creative Direction and Interviews by Whitney Frazier, WGF Studio

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