On this episode of When Creatives Thrive, we feature Baltimore artist, muralist, and graphic designer, Jasmin Manning. Jasmin creates work that celebrates Black identity, honors community, and helps people feel seen.

From her early training at George Washington Carver Center for Arts and Technology to her first mural experience during a Black Lives Matter installation in Patterson Park, her creative journey has grown through encouragement, collaboration, and a commitment to representation.

As lead artist for the 2026 Art@Work mural this past summer, Jasmin worked alongside young artists and neighborhood residents to bring that commitment to life—creating a colorful tribute to Black women and the everyday “sheroes” whose contributions deserve their flowers.

Jasmin takes us behind the scenes of Art@Work, from gathering community stories and incorporating students’ ideas to the neighbors who stopped by with encouragement and even showed their love with some Gatorade. Along the way, Jasmin reflects on the women who have shaped her life—and whether she’s ready to recognize herself as a shero, too.

On this episode of When Creatives Thrive we feature Greeyo., a Baltimore-based multidisciplinary artist whose work brings together music, movement, performance, and visual storytelling.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, he made a defining choice: Baltimore was where he would build, grow, and push his artistic career moving forward despite set backs. Since then, staying in the city—and using his platform to uplift other artists—has become an increasingly meaningful part of his journey. It’s taken him from work at Everyman Theatre and Baltimore Center Stage, all the way to performing at Artscape.

Greeyo. is among some amazing headers who will play Baltimore by Baltimore on October 3rd for a special edition titled The Capsule: A BxB Homecoming. The event will celebrate the Inner Harbor as Baltimore knows it today, while capturing the memories, stories and creative energy surrounding it before a new period of construction and transformation begins.

Anthony Whitaker is an artist born in The Bronx and raised on Long Island. He currently resides in Harlem, NYC. And he’s also a first responder who was on site at Ground Zero twenty-five years ago on September 11, 2001.

Immediately after he finished a night shift he was contacted by Con-Ed, who told him a plane had hit one of the Twin Towers. His employer and the local energy company informed him he was one only a few people available to address unprecedented outages in lower Manhattan.

Along with his work gear, Anthony brought along his 35mm camera. Over the next week, Anthony’s artistic intuition led him to create several iconic images, including a black and white image of the South Tower’s steel facade - the last thing standing among the debris.

Anthony's photograph, titled Steel Standing, is a symbol of courage, strength, resilience, and fortitude. It has received international claim and is archived at The United States Library of Congress.

And as part of a special anniversary exhibit, Steel Standing, among other photos from Ground Zero and a 3D rending Anthony created of the steel facade, is on display at the Top of the World Observation Level at the World Trade Center, right here in Baltimore.

Presented by Times Community Services, Inc., the Baltimore Times, and Creatively Black Baltimore, Steel Standing is on view until December 31, 2026.

Cover art photo by: JJ McQueen