The road ahead: An AFRO inside look at BOPA’s new CEO, Rachel D. Graham

By Megan SaylesAFRO Business Writermsayles@afro.com The Baltimore Office of Promotion and the Arts (BOPA) tapped Rachel D. Graham to become its next permanent CEO in February. The move came after a challenging year for the quasi-governmental agency.Rachel D. Graham is now leader of the Baltimore Office of Promotion and the Arts (BOPA). Graham assumed the position after the cultural organization experienced a tumultuous year with scheduling difficulties and canceled events. (Photo credit: Elijah Davis/Elijah Camera Art @ElijahCameraArt) Prior to BOPA, Graham served as the external relations director for the Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History and Culture. In her new role, she hopes to reorient the organization as a trusted advocate for the Baltimore arts community.& “If you build a robust arts community, that in turn can play a huge role in the city taking its rightful place as an arts and culture mecca,” said Graham. “People have a tendency to forget how much this city has given in the way of arts and culture. Working with our partners in the city, I look forward to us being able to play a role in pushing the city forward and telling the story of Baltimore.”& BOPA is the...