Building New Pathways After a Second Chance

Baltimore, MD—The Flowers Whiting Initiative (Derrick Whiting, CEO), in partnership with Root

Branch Media Group (Dr. Vonnya Pettigrew, CEO), proudly announces the graduation of participants from its Media Arts Training Program. This initiative was designed to prepare justice-impacted adults for careers in media, digital content, and creative entrepreneurship across Baltimore City and the state of Maryland.

The graduation and media showcase ceremony took place on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at 6:00 PM at the Root Branch Media Group Building, 2220 Boston Street, Baltimore, MD. Graduates of the program, (Rodney Murray, Shanieka Townsend and Brittany Morant), completed hands-on training in media production and digital storytelling over the course of eight-weeks, gaining skills that translated directly into employment, freelancing, and entrepreneurship. The training was facilitated by Root Branch Media Arts Instructor, Germar Derron.

The program emphasized dignity, creative expression, and economic opportunity for individuals often                                                               excluded from various opportunities. The event also highlighted three film projects created by the graduates that were developed during the training. The productions reflected personal growth, technical skill, and the ability to contribute meaningfully to Baltimore’s creative economy.

Whiting said, "the vision of The Flowers Whiting Initiative is to create a society where returning citizens are fully supported and empowered to thrive, leading lives of purpose, stability, and contribution in safe and equitable communities."

“Access to creative education can be life-changing,” said Dr. Pettigrew. “This program gives young adults who have been justice impacted the tools to rewrite their narratives, personally and professionally.”

Derron enjoyed training the students and said “it was my favorite experience in a classroom.”

For justice-impacted adults seeking meaningful second chances, The Flowers Whiting Initiative’s Media Arts Training Program is proving that creative careers can be powerful tools for re-entry and transformation.

For More Information:

• The Flowers Whiting Initiative - https://www.theflowerswhitinginitiative.org/about
• Root Branch Media Group - https://rootbranchmediagroup.com/home