Baltimore & Gbarnga: 50 Years of Sister Cities

Baltimore’s first sister city relationship was established 50 years ago in 1973 with Gbarnga in Liberia. In Baltimore, the relationship is managed by Baltimore-Gbarnga Sister City Committee (BGSSC); in Gbarnga is it managed by Gbarnga-Baltimore Sister City Committee (GBSC Liberia).

Baltimore is located in the state of Maryland, near Washington, DC (the capital of USA). Gbarnga is the capital of Bong County, northeast of Monrovia (the capital of Liberia). Maryland has historical connections to Liberia and has sister state relationships with two counties in Liberia: Bong County and Maryland County.

A year of celebration

2023 is the 50th year of the Baltimore-Gbarnga sister city relationship. There are several special events throughout the year:

December 2022 | B4 Youth Theatre: 200 Years of Returns

Baltimore-Gbarnga Sister City Committee (BGSSC) supported and collaborated with the Program in Racism, Immigration, and Citizenship (RIC) at Baltimore’s Johns Hopkins University (JHU) on a historic trip commemorating the 200th year since the arrival of the first repatriated families in Liberia. B4 Youth Theatre, a troupe of young Baltimore performers, performed in Liberia to build a cultural and societal bridge between the two countries and its peoples. The performance, 200 Years of Returns, commemorated the Liberia Bicentennial. A collaboration with the Angels of Praise dancers and the Just One Spirit dance ministry — the culmination of more than a year of rehearsing, research, and performances in Virginia and Maryland. B4 Youth Theatre visited Gbarnga and its community college during their trip. More information about this trip

About B4 Youth Theatre: www.b4youththeatre.org

About the Johns Hopkins University program: JHU’s RIC Supports Trip to Liberia for Baltimore Schoolchildren

B4 Youth Theatre, a troupe of young Baltimore performers, performed in Liberia in 2022 to build a cultural and societal bridge between the two countries and its peoples. The performance, called '200 Years of Returns,' commemorated the Liberia Bicentennial.

June 24, 2023 | Anniversary celebration in Gbarnga

The Gbarnga-Baltimore Sister City Committee (GBSC Liberia) held a special event in Gbarnga on June 24, 2023 with Gbarnga Mayor Herbert to celebrate the sister city relationship with Baltimore.

Special event held in Gbarnga on June 24, 2023 with Mayor Herbert to celebrate 50th year anniversary of the sister city relationship with Baltimore.

July 7, 2023 | Special event in Baltimore

The event recognizes and celebrates the December 2022 ‘200 Years of Returns’ trip to Liberia organized and sponsored by the Johns Hopkins Krieger School program in Racism, Immigration and Citizenship (‘RIC’) and the Baltimore-Gbarnga Sister City Committee. This event includes the presentation of the Baltimore Mayor’s ‘Certificates of Recognition’ to the 29 youth and adults who traveled to Liberia or supported the trip in other ways, a cultural troupe performance, premiere screening of ‘200 Years of Returns” as performed on UNESCO World Heritage site Providence Island in Liberia, Q&A with the actors and travelers, and a light reception.

Event information

Post-event press release and photos

Honorees at the July 7, 2023 celebration in Baltimore of '200 Years of Returns' (a Baltimore-Liberia program)

Oct 11 / Annual CHINA Town Hall in Baltimore: Local Connections, National Reflections

Date/time: Wednesday, October 11, 2023, 5:30-9pm ET
Location: Baltimore City Hall, 100 Holliday Street Baltimore, MD 21202
Admission: $20. Advance registration required.
For more information and to purchase tickets: chinatownhall2023baltimore.eventbrite.com

China’s rapid development and Sino-American relations have a direct impact on the lives of nearly everyone in the United States. CHINA Town Hall is a national conversation about China that provides Americans across the United States, and beyond, the opportunity to discuss issues in the relationship with leading experts. The Baltimore-Xiamen Sister City Committee is the Baltimore and Maryland host for this annual event organized by the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations (NCUSCR). The NCUSCR recruits a high-level speaker or panel on U.S.-China topics and the local host provides the venue and webcasting support as well as a distinguished local speaker/moderator to conduct follow-up discussions with the local audience.

This year’s event features:

Current U.S. Ambassador to China Nicholas Burns in a national conversation on how the U.S.-China relationship affects our cities, towns, and communities.
Mary E. (Mendy) Nitsch, Director of International Affairs at the Maryland Office of the Secretary of State, is the in-person local speaker at the Baltimore event.

The CHINA Town Hall is hosted nationwide by the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations (NCUSCR) and in Baltimore by the Baltimore-Xiamen Sister City Committee (BXSCC).

Logos of Baltimore-Xiamen Sister City Committee, City of Baltimore, NCUSR. Photos and titles of the national and local speakers. Title and short description of the event.

Changwon Mayoral delegation visits Baltimore in May 2023

Changwon Mayoral delegation visit to Baltimore in May 2023 - Photo of the delegation with the Baltimore Mayor and others from Baltimore at Baltimore City Hall

Changwon’s Deputy Mayor visited Baltimore in May 2023 with a delegation from Baltimore’s sister city of Changwon, South Korea. Photos of the delegation at Baltimore City Hall with Mayor Brandon Scott can be viewed on the Baltimore City website. Photos also viewable on the Baltimore-Changwon Facebook page.

June 2 / Baltimore Immigration Summit

Working Towards Equity: Strength and Transformation in Immigrant Communities

When: Friday, June 2, 2023, 8am – 4pm ET
Location: Towson University, West Village Commons Towson, MD 21252
More info: Event page (Registration has reached capacity and is now closed.)

Towson University and the Baltimore Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs (MIMA) host the 10th Baltimore Immigration Summit at West Village Commons at Towson University, returning after a three-year hiatus. This is a one-day event bringing together academics, policymakers, service providers, activists, community leaders and others working with and for New Americans (immigrants and refugees) in the Baltimore region. The 2023 theme is ”Working Towards Equity: Strength and Transformation in Immigrant Communities.”

The Baltimore Immigration Summit is a one-day event that brings together academics, policymakers, service providers, activists, community leaders, and others working with and for New Americans (immigrants and refugees) in our region. Baltimore and its surrounding suburbs represent an area with a growing and diverse New American population, and local governments view New Americans as essential to the region’s ongoing resurgence. We invite you to join us in celebrating the continued work of welcoming New Americans in the Baltimore area and discovering new opportunities for collaboration!

Baltimore Sister Cities will have a table at this event. Stop by our table to meet us and find out more about what we do!

2022 Year in Review: Baltimore Sister Cities

Annual Report & Plan

Baltimore Sister Cities Annual Accomplishments Report for 2022 (PDF, 3.7mb)

Baltimore Sister Cities Annual Plan for 2023 (PDF, 2.6mb)

Feb 24-25 / Stand with Ukraine

1st Year Anniversary of Russia’s Invasion of and War Against Ukraine

сла́ва Украї́ні! “Glory to Ukraine!” / Heróyam sláva! “Glory to the Heroes!”

Feb 24, 2023 – Day 365 (1 Year) Anniversary of Russian Invasion of Ukraine

12 Hour Prayer Marathon — 12pm Kyiv Ukraine / 5am Eastern Time / 4am Central / 2am Pacific Time presented on zhyve.tv
9am — St Michael Ukrainian Catholic Church in Baltimore — Liturgy Service Livestream on Facebook
6pm — St Michael Ukrainian Catholic Church in Baltimore — Candle Vigil Prayer Service
Baltimore’s sports stadiums will be lit in blue & yellow colors to Stand with Ukraine

Feb 25, 2023 – STAND WITH UKRAINE RALLY in Washington DC

In the morning — Free bus transportation to the DC rally from St Michael’s Ukrainian Catholic Church 2401 Eastern Ave. Baltimore, MD 21224 — Advance reservations required. Visit the church’s website for more information and to reserve a spot on the bus. (A $10 donation is requested from each passenger as a tip for the volunteer bus driver.)
2pm — Rally at the Lincoln Memorial. Address: 2 Lincoln Memorial Circle NW, Washington DC 20002. Everyone is encouraged to bring Ukrainian flags & posters!
Followed by a March to the Russian Embassy.
5pm — Bus returns to Baltimore.

Odesa, Ukraine is a Sister City of Baltimore since 1974. Visit the Baltimore-Odesa Sister City Committee website at www.baltimoreodesa.org. And we urge you to support Odesa and Ukraine in its time of need — Donate to the committee’s fundraising drive for humanitarian relief here. And mark your calendars: The 47th Annual Ukrainian Festival of Baltimore takes place Sep 9 & 10, 2023.

Images for you to share on social media or print to take to the rally:

November 11, 2022 | Application Deadline for Global Gateway Program

September 2022 – November 2022

Applications Being Accepted from Overseas Companies to Maryland’s Global Gateway Program

Applications for the new Maryland Global Gateway program are now available. This program will provide incentives for the first 50 eligible companies, including:

Funding towards rent costs for six months for more than 20 business incubators and accelerators across the state
Assistance with business registration costs for foreign companies who choose to stay in Maryland
Training, mentoring, matchmaking, and networking through both state government and local incubator programs

Applications are due by November 11, 2022.

See Press Release here.

November 16, 2022 | 16th Annual CHINA Town Hall

The 16th annual CHINA Town Hall will be hosted nationwide by the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations (NCUSCR) and in Baltimore by the Baltimore-Xiamen Sister City Committee. The 2022 event will feature former (2009-2011) Ambassador to China Jon Huntsman Jr. in a national conversation on how the U.S.-China relationship affects our cities, towns, and communities.

Date: Wednesday, November 16, 2022
Time: 7:00pm – 8:00pm
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free

Sep. 8-11, 2022 | Xiamen China International Fair for Investment & Trade (CFIT)

The BXSCC and our partners return to China International Fair for Investment & Trade (CIFIT) this year!

Baltimore and Maryland will be represented in-person at the China International Fair for Investment & Trade (CIFIT), the largest investment and trade promotion activity in China, which takes place annually in Xiamen.

Our booth at this year’s fair is presented in partnership with the Maryland Department of Commerce and Maryland Center China, with the assistance of Baltimore Development Corp. and Visit Baltimore.

All flyers from Maryland and Baltimore will be accessible to attendees via a QR code that leads to this landing page.

Supported by Baltimore-Xiamen Sister City Committee (BXSCC).

Sep. 24, 27 & Oct. 1, 6 | NALI Sessions

The New American Leadership Institute (NALI) is an annual four-session civics academy for emerging immigrant and refugee leaders to learn about the structure of local government, hone leadership skills, network with peers, and identify opportunities for civic participation. These sessions prepare NALI participants to act as ambassadors for their communities!

Conversational English is required to apply. To apply, please complete the N ALI application by Friday, September 9, 2022.

NALI Sessions

Session I: Leadership 101
When: Saturday September 24th, 10:00am to 2:00pm
This session will focus on training and honing the leadership skills of our emerging immigrant and refugee leaders! Our participants will have the opportunity to get familiar with different leadership styles, and how to effectively facilitate group decision making in their communities!

Session II: Navigating Local Government
When: Tuesday, September 27, 5:30pm to 8:00pm
This session will focus on educating our emerging immigrant and refugee leaders about local government and city structure. Our participants will have the opportunity to meet their elected officials and learn more about who represents them in their respective districts!

Session III: Government Entities & Community Resources
When: Saturday, October 1, 10:00am to 2:00pm
This session will focus on educating our emerging leaders about the role of government entities (agencies) and their role in providing community resources. Our participants will become familiar with the work of city agencies working to improve the lives of individuals, children, and families in Baltimore City.

Session IV: In My Neighborhood
When: Thursday, October 6, 5:30pm- 8:00pm
This session will focus on connecting our leaders with resources in their neighborhoods. Our participants will become familiar with neighborhood planning, and how to effectively apply skillsets gained from previous conference sessions. This final session will also end with a closing ceremony from the Mayor of Baltimore!

For more information, visit this website.