Stop 1: 4MLK Building
4 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
The 4MLK building, located at the intersection of Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and West Baltimore Street, serves as a gateway between UMB, the University of Maryland BioPark, the University of Maryland Medical Center. Achieving LEED Gold status, the 4MLK building was constructed with a focus on sustainability, demonstrating its commitment to environmentally responsible design and construction that centers on energy efficiency, low water usage, material selection, and indoor air quality. 4MLK employs a green roof and a water retention system for storm water, among many other sustainable features.
4MLK’s ground floor features the Civic Lounge, a welcoming lobby and gathering space, designed to foster connections among tenants, researchers, and the public (and a coffee shop is due to open in summer 2025. A highlight in this space is a large, vibrant mural created by the Baltimore-based Ham and Cheese Studio art duo. This mural adds a dynamic visual element to the lobby, enhancing the building’s inclusive and community-focused atmosphere.
Stop 2: Community Engagement Center
16 S. Poppleton St.
UMB’s Community Engagement Center (CEC), an initiative of the Office of Community and Civic Engagement, reflects the University’s mission to house community engagement opportunities in one central place, bringing the institution’s assets and expertise within easier reach of our West Baltimore neighbors and putting us closer to the people our programs are intended to reach.
The CEC offers a range of engagement opportunities for local residents such as fitness, family, makerspace, and workforce development programming; health education and care coordination through a nurse-run health suite; and financial wellness services led by our in-house partner, the CASH Campaign of Maryland, which offers financial education and coaching, benefit screenings, and an annual tax preparation clinic. Another in-house partner, the United Way of Central Maryland, offers connection to community resources through 211 database resource navigation and family stability programing.
In partnership with the UMB Office of Sustainability, the CEC is a community composting site, which provides neighbors the ability to drop off their composting on the Booth Street side of the building.
A striking mosaic mural adorns the back wall of the stage in the lower-level community room — a vibrant centerpiece created by Baltimore nonprofit Art with a Heart. This large-scale installation is the result of a truly collaborative effort, with more than 100 individuals from the Southwest Baltimore (SOWEBO) community and UNMB lending their hands to bring it to life. Participants ranged in age from 6 years old to well into their 90s, making it an inspiring intergenerational expression of creativity.
The goal of the project was to create a piece of community art that brought people together from all walks of life. The mural celebrates SOWEBO’s rich history and culture. At its heart is a B&O train, circling the center of the design before transitioning into a sidewalk — symbolizing the railroad’s pivotal role in drawing workers and families to the area and shaping the neighborhoods that make up SOWEBO.
The mosaic is a mixed-media marvel, crafted from 28 types of colorful glass, 12 varieties of ceramic tile, hand-carved and painted ceramic pieces, mirror fragments, and even pebbles, with each element adding depth, texture, and meaning to this powerful community landmark.
The mural’s location is especially significant. It’s housed in the CEC, a once-vacant historic building that was transformed into a vibrant hub for neighbors, families, and community partners. Originally built in the early 20th century, the structure has been thoughtfully restored, blending its architectural heritage with modern, welcoming spaces for gathering, learning, and connection.