Happy Monday, Baltimore. With the Ravens headed back to Cincinnati next week, I'll hold off on my recurring NFL commentary until we know that we've got a shot at doing anything in the playoffs. 

 

Today, you'll see a new feature story that explores an unfortunate, old problem: the critique that local funders are not doing enough to support Black founders. For me, as we watch to see how a possible recession might impact funding in Baltimore, the fact that some of the city's most acclaimed startup founders don't feel like this city offers the support they need to truly meet the opportunity presented to them is maddening. That's in no small part because this city is a majority Black one, with many people who loudly boast the benefits of being in a place with so much opportunity and talent, with the potential to confront longstanding disparities and racism while leading the way for other cities to do the same.

 

It makes me wonder if there's any bigger issue in Baltimore tech than the fact that there are some people with a lot of money who just don't think that Black founders are as capable of running a successful company as white ones. And I know that in a city that doesn't often speak its problems so plainly, that may not be easy for anybody to hear. But if this possible recession becomes a real one, this disparity will remain entrenched, so it needs to be said out loud as much as possible.  

 

Are you a Black founder encountering similar issues to those expressed by the commentators in this story? Are you considering leaving Baltimore because of them? Let us know by emailing baltimore@technical.ly.