Rev. Al and I are thrilled to welcome an extraordinary guest to He’s Holy, I’m Knott: Dr. Jay A. Perman, a nationally recognized leader in education, healthcare, and civic engagement. Currently the Chancellor of the University System of Maryland (USM), he oversees 12 public universities and three regional centers and has spent his career building bridges across institutions, communities, and disciplines.

A pediatric gastroenterologist by training, Dr. Perman has never stepped away from the exam room, continuing to care for young patients even as he took on some of the most influential roles in American higher education. His clinical experience grounds everything he does, keeping people, especially the most vulnerable, at the heart of his leadership.

Before becoming USM Chancellor in 2020, Dr. Perman served as President of the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) for nearly a decade. There, he oversaw record-breaking research growth, expanding UMB’s annual grant funding to nearly $700 million. But his proudest legacy may be his bold commitment to equity and interprofessional education. He established UMB’s Center for Interprofessional Education, now a national model, where students from medicine, nursing, law, pharmacy, dentistry, and social work train side by side to deliver collaborative, community-based care.

Dr. Perman also launched the President’s Clinic, where he personally taught teams of future professionals how to work together to serve patients more holistically. And his founding of the UMB CURE Scholars Program, a STEM pipeline for West Baltimore students starting as early as sixth grade, has opened doors for hundreds of young scholars from underserved communities.

Beyond academia, Dr. Perman is a pillar in Maryland civic life. He chairs the Downtown Partnership of Baltimore, co-chairs the UniverCity Partnership, and serves on numerous boards including Baltimore’s Promise, the Greater Baltimore Committee, and the Maryland Life Sciences Advisory Board. His honors are many, including regular recognition among “The Best Doctors in America” and leadership positions with national medical organizations like the American Academy of Pediatrics and the North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition.

Dr. Perman, thank you for your steadfast dedication to the people of Maryland and beyond. It’s an absolute honor to have you on the show and to share the remarkable legacy you are building.

In this special live-recorded episode, Rev and I take you to the heart of West Baltimore at Avenue Market, a historic space pulsing with possibility. Once a staple of Pennsylvania Avenue’s golden era, the market is now poised for a powerful comeback, and we were there to capture the voices leading that charge.

Set against the backdrop of a changing city, this conversation explores how markets like Avenue are being reimagined not just as places to shop, but as platforms for health, equity, and local power.

We’re joined once again by Abigail Lammel, Communications Manager for Baltimore Public Markets, and David Tyson, Operations Manager, who give us an insider’s view into how public infrastructure and intentional design can lay the groundwork for neighborhood transformation. Their work behind the scenes is shaping not just markets, but futures.

Then we dive deep with Bolon Zahir Xi-Amaru, Director of Health and Food Justice at No Boundaries Coalition, a grassroots organization at the forefront of equity work in Central West Baltimore. Bolon brings truth and urgency, challenging us to think bigger about what public markets can be: sites of healing, hubs of resistance, and cornerstones of economic justice.

Recorded live at Avenue Market, this episode is full of energy, candor, and vision. You’ll hear about the bold plans underway, the challenges of restoring trust, and the collective hope of turning a once-dormant market into a thriving community anchor.

This isn’t just about buildings. It’s about agency. It’s about what happens when neighbors, nonprofits, and city leaders come to the same table.

Avenue Market is rising, and the people are leading the way.

Rev. and I are back with the next stop in our Baltimore Market Series—and this time, it’s the crown jewel of public markets: Lexington Market. After nearly 250 years, this legendary space is stepping boldly into the future, and we were there to soak in the stories, the flavors, and the feeling.

Lexington isn’t just a market—it’s a monument to the city’s soul. And now, thanks to a sweeping reimagining, it’s once again buzzing with life, layered with history, and brimming with promise.

In this episode, we explore how the new Lexington Market is redefining what it means to serve the public. We talk with Abigail Lammel and Jessica Blackwell of the Baltimore Public Markets Corporation—two powerhouse communicators helping shape the vision and voice of this evolving space. They pull back the curtain on how Lexington’s transformation was led not just by design, but by community.

Then, we go straight to the heart of the market: the vendors. You’ll hear from Fatimah Ames of Sweet Peaz Southern Kitchen, whose food is as soulful as her story. April Harper of HarpVision shares how wellness and creativity are part of the market’s fabric. And Ms. Cho from Krause’s reminds us why legacy matters and how family recipes still have a place in the modern marketplace.

This episode is about more than just food—it’s about connection, intention, and the power of place. Lexington Market isn’t trying to be something new. It’s becoming more of what it’s always been: a gathering place for everyone.

Come along as we walk the new Lexington, meet the people shaping its future, and celebrate a space that feels both timeless and totally fresh. Baltimore, this one’s for you. Thank you again to our guests that made this episode so special!