John Baum co-chairs the annual HeBrOpen Golf Outing, a fundraiser for SEED School of Maryland

On October 17, the annual HeBrOpen Golf Outing raised over $100,000 for the Seed School of Maryland. Co-chaired by Shapiro Sher attorney John Baum and Tony Hawkins, this unique fundraising event brings together business and community leaders for a day of sporting fun in support of a valuable cause long championed by the HeBros.

Two decades ago, several African-American and Jewish Baltimoreans organized the HeBros to create opportunities for fellowship across ethnic lines. In 2015, after the passing of one of the group’s devoted members, John’s brother Charles Baum, HeBros held the first HeBrOpen in his memory. The annual event has since raised over $500,000 for Baltimore’s Seed School, the state’s first and only public, college-preparatory boarding school. The proceeds from this year’s event will support extracurricular opportunities for students of the school, which opened in Southwest Baltimore in 2008 and educates Maryland youth, grades 6-12, who can most benefit from a 24-hour learning environment.

“Charles would have been proud to know that our group has done so much good for Baltimore’s youth,” said John Baum. “I am deeply grateful to all who came out to support the SEED School’s important work.”

In addition to golfing, this year’s HeBrOpen included a pickle-ball tournament, a reception and banquet, and a keynote address from Willie Mays Aikens, the legendary Kansas City Royal slugger.

Shapiro Sher attorneys have long been supporters of the SEED School. At the 2019 HeBrOpen, firm founder Ron Shapiro and of counsel Larry Gibson were the guest dinner speakers, and in 2020 Ron chaired a HeBro fundraising dinner honoring the SEED School’s graduating seniors.  

To learn more about the HeBros and its fundraising events, feel free to reach out to John Baum directly at jeb@shapirosher.com.