Dr. Vonnya Pettigrew, CEO of Root Branch Media Group (RBMG), has achieved a historic milestone. She recently purchased an entire block in Baltimore to house her media hub, making her the first African-American woman in Maryland to own a waterfront block. This significant accomplishment marks a new chapter in her already illustrious career.
Transforming Baltimore’s Waterfront
Dr. Pettigrew’s acquisition of the block in Canton Harbor, along Baltimore’s waterfront, is groundbreaking. The newly named RBMG Building Canton Harbor now serves as the headquarters for her media production company. The block also houses a coffee brand, a property management company, and a nonprofit supporting education and training programs.
“I bought the old Barcoding, Inc. building, a commercial property that is 14,400 square feet. It’s 2220 Boston Street [Baltimore, Maryland]. The building is the length of the entire block, so I have all four sides,” she explained.
Achieving Milestones Without External Support
Dr. Pettigrew financed the purchase without any investors, grants, or programs. Instead, she utilized the Reinvestment Fund, known for investing in social impact. Her determination and resourcefulness have paved the way for this historic achievement.
“In doing that, it became noted that I was the first African American woman in Maryland to own a block actually on Baltimore’s waterfront,” she added.
Her next move is to acquire properties in other parts of the city, continuing to build media arts hubs in urban communities.
A Journey from TV Production to Media Mogul
Before establishing her business, Dr. Pettigrew worked at the Discovery Channel and produced content for TV One. With a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications from the University of Maryland College Park, she branched into communications and related fields, growing her media and production firms.
Her career in media was inspired by an internship at the White House in the speech writing department under President Clinton. However, her true passion was ignited while working on a political television show produced on Capitol Hill.
“It was a political show that was produced on Capitol Hill and filmed out of Reuters newswire, and so I fell in love with television and film,” she shared.
