Maryland Governor Wes Moore on Growing Up in Baltimore During the Crack Era (Part 4)

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Part 3: https://youtu.be/dh1_YW3XOiY
Part 1: https://youtu.be/bHAtvrCxXJA
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Governor Wes Moore recently shared his poignant experiences of growing up in Baltimore during the crack epidemic. Relocating to Baltimore at 14, Moore described the city as being plagued by boarded-up homes and violent crime, conditions eerily reminiscent of the TV series, “The Wire.” Moore candidly spoke about his early years, involved in petty crime, skipping school, and facing the constant threat of violence.

To curb his derailing path, Moore’s mother sent him to military school in Pennsylvania at 13, a tough adjustment that saw him attempting to run away five times. Despite the initial resistance, the structured environment became a turning point in his life, offering him a chance to reinvent himself and develop leadership skills. His journey continued to Johns Hopkins University, eventually becoming the institution’s first Black Rhodes Scholar, a prestigious feat that opened doors he never imagined. Throughout his story, Moore emphasized the importance of resilience and seizing opportunities, illustrating how his Baltimore roots profoundly shaped his identity.