Baltimore mayor mourns HeartSmiles founder Joni Holifield

Scott’s tribute landed in a city where youth investment and violence reduction have been central to his administration. Baltimore’s 52nd mayor and the youngest person to hold the office in more than 100 years won reelection in November 2024, and the city’s youth-engagement strategy says Baltimore has seen a 57% reduction in youth as victims of non-fatal shootings since 2023, along with a drop of more than 30% in youth aggravated assault victims. Holifield’s work fit squarely into that larger public-safety picture by focusing not only on crisis response, but on the conditions that shape young people’s daily lives.

HeartSmiles says its programs are built around helping young people discover purpose and access meaningful opportunities regardless of background or ZIP code. The nonprofit says it partners with schools throughout Baltimore City and offers year-round and seasonal programming, including school-based and after-school support. It also says 100% of youth are paid at every earn-while-you-learn program, event and opportunity, a model meant to help young people move through barriers that include food insecurity, unemployment and high school completion.

Holifield’s own website said her mission grew out of the 2015 Freddie Gray unrest, when she set out to restore hope and place youth at the intersection of access and opportunity while building them into strong leaders. That vision now sits with HeartSmiles’ current team, including deputy executive director Morgan Prioleau and youth advisors Kamri Moses and Shelah Johnson. Their work continues to include Squeegee to Success, a youth-led process that helps squeegee kids create success plans and connect to next steps.