The CHARM Report is a youth led journalism initiative from CHARM: VOICES OF Baltimore Youth.
We seek to report on and reflect on events in our city and nation while generating a space for youth to engage with news.


Why Baltimore

Public Schools

can’t

afford

a State title

By Anika Stikeleather | November 20, 2024

Our CHARM reporter does a deep dive into how Baltimore youth are being priced out of Club volleyball.

YOUNG AND AMBITIOUS: A TALK WITH NEVAEH KING

By Amir Muhammad | June 24, 2024

Young entrepreneur Nevaeh King talks with our CHARM reporter about the importance of entrepreneurship.


MADAME WEB IS A COMEDY

By Amir Muhammad | June 5, 2024

Our Charm reporter reviews Sony’s latest addition to the “Spider-man” cinematic universe.


SOPHOMORE YEAR OF HIGH SCHOOL, A SURVIVAL GUIDE

By Amir Muhammad | May 31, 2024

Our Charm reporter gives the ins and outs of surviving your sophomore year of high school, one class at a time.


THE DISCOVERY & MYSTERY OF TAR SYNDROME

By Nakiya Barts | May 18, 2024

Our Charm reporter dives into the origins of thrombocytopenia absent-radii syndrome better known as TARS Syndrome.


BASEBALL'S GLOBAL REACH: RED SOX AND RAYS SHINE IN SANTO DOMINGO SHOWCASE

By Anika Stikeleather | May 2, 2024

Our CHARM reporter covers the rise in MLB’s international appeal with a Boston Red Sox and The Tampa Bay Rays game she attended out in the Dominican Republic.


ECHO SEASON 1 REVIEW: A TASTE OF THAT OLD NETFLIX MARVEL

Amir Muhammad | April 25, 2024

Our CHARM reporter tells us if Echo lives up to the legendary Marvel Netflix shows like Daredevil and The Punisher that came before it.


ECHO REVIEW: THIS IS GOING TO BE REALLY GOOD OR REALLY BAD


Amir Muhammad | March 5, 2024

CHARM reporter reads the tea leaves and predicts whether this Marvel miniseries is worth the watch.


ECHO REVIEW: THE START OF SOMETHING GREAT

Amir Muhammad | February 27, 2024

CHARM reporter gives his take on Marvel’s latest miniseries Echo.


CHARM ALUMNI: WHERE ARE THEY NOW

By Amir Muhammad, Assata Makonnen & Anika Stikeleather | November 30, 2023

In celebration of CHARM’s tenth anniversary collection CHARM Rewind CHARM reporters are checking in with CHARM alumni to answer the question, where are they now?


A WORD ON ACTIVISM AND POETRY WITH BALTIMORE’S YOUTH POET LAUREATE A’NIYA TAYLOR

By Amir Muhammad & Assata Makonnen | November 30, 2023

Charm reporters chat with Baltimore’s youth poet laureate about her new book, how activism informs her writing and her plans for the near future.


BALTIMORE ALWAYS PERSEVERES:

A LOOK AT THE 2023 LOCAL FESTIVAL ARTSCAPE

By Assata Makonnen | October 22, 2023

Charm Reporter recaps their experience at Artscape last month and shows how the festival uses the power of art to bring communities together .


THE ORIGINS OF STATIC SHOCK

By Amir Muhammad | October 3, 2023

Charm reporter delves into the origins of one of the most popular Black teenage superheroes before Miles Morales stole the crown.


TAKING DOWN CONFEDERATE STATUES TO TELL A FULLER STORY

By Sarah Pobee | August 16, 2023

Charm summer reporter delves into the controversy behind Confederate statue removal and the benefits of preserving history both good and bad.


THE FORGOTTEN LEGACY OF BALTIMORE WRITERS

by Maya Walker and Jenna Nesky | August 11, 2023

Charm Report summer staff reporters uncover the legacy of Baltimore writers F. Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald.


THE INDIVIDUAL & BROAD IMPACT OF THE WRITERS’ STRIKE

By Nakiya Barts | August 9, 2023

Charm Report summer staff reporter delves into the impact of The Writers Guild of America’s strike on local writers like children’s book author Krystle Westary.

 

BALTIMORE’S 2022-2023 SCHOOL YEAR RECAP

By The Charm Report Staff | May 23, 2023

Charm Report staff highlight some of the major news stories for Baltimore schools this year.


THE CHARM REPORT PODCAST EPISODE 4

By Tianna Hunt & Saniya Powell | May 22, 2023

This Charm Report episode focuses on finals week and some of the best ways to achieve the grades you want.


HOW NNEKA N’NAMDI GREW UP TO FIGHT BLIGHT

By The Charm Report Staff | April 25, 2023

The Charm Report staff spoke with the founder environmental justice initiative Fight Blight Bmore on how her upbringing in Baltimore and the legacy of Charm City residents before her inspired her passion for community advocacy.


THE CHARM REPORT PODCAST EPISODE 3

By Tianna Hunt | March 30, 2023

This episode of The Charm Report podcast features Charm’s Publication Editor, Ariel Stevenson, and the discussion centers around working wth Charm and the upcoming publication Charm: Chaos.


THE CASE FOR reTELLING THE LEGEND OF THE BLUE MARVEL

BY Amir Muhammad | March 19, 2023

Charm reporter makes the case for Marvel Studios to tell the story of one of its most powerful unsung heroes on the big screen.


INTRODUCING THE CHARM REPORT PODCAST

By Tianna Hunt | March 18, 2023

The Charm Report podcast is a safe space for all students to speak on navigating high school, college, and life in Baltimore.


UNITY HALL AND ITS DREAMS OF THE FUTURE

By Amir Muhammad | March 6, 2023

CHARM speaks with Unity Hall executive director Petula Caesar on her goals for the community-building space.


CHARM: VOICES OF BALTIMORE YOUTH UNVEILS NEW BOOK

By Meira Berlow | December 20, 2022

CHARM covers the launch event for the publication Homegrown: a Message to Baltimore by Baltimore at Unity Hall.


Parents and kids explain what it means to be lgbtq or have a lgbtq child in Baltimore

By Kameran Rogers | August 19, 2022

CHARM Reporter talks with family about stigmas against Black LGBTQ youth.


Five Affordable outfits for teens in the workplace

By Leila Sweenie | August 5, 2022

The first day of work is just like the first day of school. You want to show off that new outfit. This CHARM Reporter has five ideas to impress your new coworkers.


Biotech with Dr. Jon Sitrin

By Iris Zheng | May 20, 2022

Dr. Jon Sitrin shares insights on how he developed a passion for biotechnology with our CHARM Reporter


Wonderous Unsung Women from Her-story

By Meira Berlow | May 19, 2022

Charm reporter celebrates historic women that challenged barriers.


DOES SOCIAL MEDIA REALLY AFFECT YOUR RELATIONSHIP?

By SANIYA WILSON-POWELL | MAY 4, 2022

Charm reporter interviews a teenage and adult couple to get their perspectives on relationships and social media.


Career Spotlight: SCHOOL COUNSELOR ADAM HELLER

By Amir Muhammad | April 19, 2022

Our Charm Reporter in this Q&A learned the hardest part of and what makes a successful middle school counselor.


The Variations of Valentine’s Day

By Meira Berlow | March 22, 2022

Charm Reporter tells the morbid beginnings of the world’s favorite day of love.


A guide to financing college (part 1)

By Tianna Hunt | March 12, 2022

Now that college admissions is done, it’s time to plan for ways to pay for tuition. And the Charm Report is here to help.


Career Spotlight: Meet Illustrator Beste Miray

By Tianna Hunt | March 10, 2022

Our Charm reporter spoke to this arts professional and got the ins and outs of her career.


The Confessions of Baltimore High School Students

By Tayanita Watson | February 1, 2022

Our Charm reporter delved into high school confession pages and the effect it has on students.


Youth Thoughts on COVID in Schools

By Amir Muhammad | February 1, 2022

School is becoming more of a safety hazard than before. I believe that we students have the right to share our opinions on the matter. That is why I asked people personally and on Instagram, "As a student/parent what do you think could be changed about school?"


We Want Your Holiday Stories

By The CHARM Report Newsroom

Charm Report is the journalism arm of CHARM: Voices of Baltimore Youth and like our parent organization we’re all about amplifying the voices of Baltimore’s youth. That’s why like our literary magazine counterparts we’re doing a call for submissions. We want to hear your holiday stories.


Made in Baltimore: A Holiday Gift Guide

By Khira Moore | December 10, 2021

Youth Journalist, Khira Moore, visited the Made in Baltimore Holiday Pop Up shop to create a holiday gift-guide for Baltimore teens. CHARM is a new member of Made in Baltimore, an organization whose mission is to “support makers and manufacturers in Baltimore City.”


(Social) Life as a College Freshman During the Pandemic

By Tianna Hunt | November 22, 2021

Image Credits: Shantika Bhat and Megan Sayles


The Food We Eat: Baltimore Students Speak on School Lunches

By Tianna Hunt | October 19, 2021

In a survey shared with Baltimore high school students, data showed that the majority were rather unimpressed but not surprised by the food they returned to. 

Image credit: Jamar Snipe


Back to School with Baltimore’s Teacher of the Year, Sidney Thomas

By Amaya Burke, September 1, 2021

Amaya spoke with Baltimore City’s 2021 Teacher of the Year, Sidney Thomas.


Respecting Young Readers: An Author Chat with Elissa Brent Weissman

By Khira Moore and Saniya Wilson-Powell, Supported by Shantika Bhat | August 17, 2021

Three journalists from The CHARM Report sat down with YA fiction writer Elissa Brent Weissman to talk about her writing process, her move from Baltimore to New Zealand, the impact of publishing a book during COVID and her brand new book The Renegade Reporters, which came out this week. 


Asian Artists in America: "We Need Togetherness and Community"

By Shantika Bhat | May 17, 2021

May is Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage month, and we spent time with three AAPI artists from the Maryland Institute College of Art to learn their stories, artistic influences, and thoughts about AAPI issues in the world today.

Artwork by Kiran Joan, an artist featured in this article.


Baltimore Youth and the COVID Vaccine

Shantika Bhat, Khira Moore, Kristiana Smith | April 26, 2021

Baltimore teens’ share their opinion on vaccines and address misconceptions.

Image Credit: focusonmore.com via Creative Commons.


Test Prep: Getting Ready for the S.A.T.

Shantika Bhat, Khira Moore, Kristiana Smith | April 9, 2021

Our editors track changes to this important test for high schoolers, and offer tips for test-takers.

Image Credit: Shantika Bhat


Baltimore Students Respond to U.S. CapitoL Riot, Impact on Mental Health

Shantika Bhat, Khira Moore, Kristiana Smith | March 26, 2021

Baltimore City students have a lot to say about the recent unrest at the United States Capitol, their reflections of 2020, as well as their visions for 2021. We interviewed two students and sent out a survey to teens in Baltimore with 14 students responding, giving us insights into what 2020 has been like for these teens.

Art credit: Yifan Luo for CHARM


‘Milo Imagines the World’ Sends a Timely and Important Message About Avoiding Stereotypes

Kristiana Smith | March 15, 2021

Last month, in partnership with The Ivy Bookshop and Enoch Pratt Free Library, CHARM editors Ariel and Amir led a book talk with the author-illustrator duo, Matt de la Peña and Christian Robinson, where they read their new children’s book and revealed the inner-workings of their creative processes.

Photo credit: The Ivy Bookshop


Five Black Women Authors Every Reader Should Know

Khira Moore | February 28, 2021

Although it may be the end of Black History Month, we admire the contributions from African American figures throughout the year. Our editor Khira offers suggestions of Black women authors you should read all year long.

Photo Credit: www.angiethomas.com


D. Watkins: He Speaks for Himself

Journalism Team | January 8, 2021

CHARM’s new Journalism Team sat down with Baltimore author D. Watkins to talk about his journey as a writer and his recent book’s selection as this year’s choice for One Book Baltimore.

Photo Credit: Whitney Birenbaum


Advice from D. Watkins on How to Start Your Writing Career

Shantika Bhat & Kristiana Smith | January 8, 2021

D. Watkins shares offers advice for young people who want to write. Not sure about your first move? Start today.


Make Your Voice Heard

Once you have read the book, you’re invited to create writing or artwork inspired by We Speak For Ourselves. CHARM is collecting poetry, prose, and visual art to be included in a virtual museum.


Give us your Feedback!

The CHARM Report is The Newest Initiative from CHARM, and we want to know what you think! Share your feedback, ideas for future stories, or any words of wisdom you have.