Thedewsperspective

When was the last time you visited a library? I hadn’t walked into the downtown Enoch Pratt Free Library in years! Right away as I entered the building, I recalled my childhood. It was a place of serenity. A playground for an inquisitive mind like mine. I recalled retrieving old articles using microfiche. I thought about times when I sat in the library for hours reading and escaping.

I was taken back to my many library experiences.  Whether it was time spent at my home library on Wolfe Street after a day of learning at Harford Heights Elementary School.  Or visiting the main library downtown researching information as a high school student of the Academy of Finance at Lake Clifton/Eastern High School.  I was also reminded of the countless hours spent in the Coppin State University library led by the most wonderful Dr. Wanza. 

Libraries are very personal to me.  And they all served the same purpose for me.  They provided me with the reins of exploration, entertainment, exposure, escape and education.  I went to the library to dream.

Years later, I’m back visiting the House of Melo: Where Tomorrows Are Promised.  A landmark cultural exhibit honoring Baltimore native Carmelo Anthony on show at the downtown Enoch Pratt Free Library.  It’s a wonderful curation of Melo’s life experiences growing up in West Baltimore.  And the path he took to become legendary.  The exhibition is both a visual and audio account to the grind it took for Carmelo Anthony to escape the perils of the streets of Bmore.  His story is inspiring.  It’s a testament to earned success.  Nothing was given to Melo.

Biggie coined the term, “you either got a wicked jump shot or you’re slinging crack rock.”  I wouldn’t suggest anyone subscribe to this mentality for success.  However, I definitely understand the words uttered by BIG.  Most of us, who grew up in inner city neighborhoods like the one in West Baltimore navigated by Melo, didn’t have much to aspire for.  So we gravitated towards sports or the streets as an escape.  A means to live the American Dream.

Carmelo’s dreams were manifested on the basketball court.  By the grace of GOD.  But countless other known and unknown names of talented athletes with “wicked jump shots” fell victim to societal ills.  This exhibition is a celebration of a brother who defied the odds.  Everyone will not grow up to become an NBA Hall of Famer like Melo.  Everyone wasn’t blessed with his skillset as a 6ft 8in forward/power forward that could score from anywhere on the basketball court.  But the intangibles he used to manifest his dreams are accessible to us all.  Like work ethic, perseverance, commitment, fearlessness, belief in self, confidence, and toughness.  All things on display when you look at Carmelo Anthony.

Please visit the House of Melo exhibition. It is at the downtown Enoch Pratt Free Library on Cathedral Street in Baltimore.  Go to be inspired.  Go to be reminded that the library is full of dreams and dreamers.  And be encouraged that dreams do come true.            

House of Melo Where Tomorrows Are Promised Exhibition is on display from October 25 to December 20, 2025. It was curated by award winning writer and East Baltimore’s very own, D. Watkins. The brilliant visionary creative behind the exhibition is Khalilah Beavers. Famed photographer Devin Allen capsuled Melo’s story by lens. Valerie and Verb are the creative agencies that supported the storytelling of this the wonderful piece of art.