Save Middle East Action Committee
Serving as the lead organizer of CPHA was a launching point for Robinson to get involved in even more organizing efforts in Baltimore. One of the most notable was the Save Middle East Action Committee (SMEAC).
SMEAC was formed in 2001 in response to the city of Baltimore's decision to use eminent domain to purchase areas of the Middle East neighborhood of East Baltimore. The city's development effort was handled by East Baltimore Development, Incorporated (EBDI), who promised that the project would bring new jobs and renewal to the community.
The members of SMEAC felt that EBDI was not sufficiently taking into account the needs and opinions of the residents of Middle East that would be impacted by the redevelopment, either by the loss of their homes or by the changes to the community or even the demolition process, and SMEAC was formed to ensure that resident voices were being heard and their needs being addressed throughout the redevelopment process. SMEAC's initial rallying cry was that residents be "Made Whole," in large part by being assured "A house for a house in a stable neighborhood."
SMEAC pursued a variety of issues important to the residents of East Baltimore over the course of its ten-year existence, from safe demolition practices to local hiring practices for construction contractors and relocation compensation packages. Through a combination of funding from the Annie E. Casey Foundation and other local organizations, SMEAC was able to hire a director and community organizer to spearhead their efforts.
SMEAC's efforts ensured that residents had the opportunity to make their own voices heard. As a result, SMEAC was able to effect change in the East Baltimore redevelopment plan, including enforcing safer demolition practices, ensuring that the redeveloped community would include both low-cost and market-rate housing, and ensuring that relocation compensation packages were sufficient to ensure "a house for a house in a stable neighborhood."
Although SMEAC was disbanded in 2011, the EBDI project is ongoing. New groups like the Citizens Housing and Relocation Working Group (CHRWG) and the Baltimore Redevelopment Action Coalition for Empowerment (BRACE) have continued the work of ensuring residents' voices are being heard in the redevelopment process.
Further Reading:
Betty Garman Robinson Papers (R0157-BGR), series 3: Save Middle East Action Committee (SMEAC) and Related Organizing Files series (1991-2009)
Digital Materials (folder level)
- SMEAC General Records, Correspondence, and Clippings, 2001 (Part 1)
- SMEAC General Records, Correspondence, and Clippings, 2001 (Part 2)
- SMEAC Meetings, Flyers, etc., 2000-2001
- Annie E. Casey Projects, 2002
- SMEAC Steering Committee, 2000-2002
- SMEAC General Records, 2002-2006 (Part 1)
- SMEAC General Records, 2002-2006 (Part 2)