John-John Williams IV
political reporter
John-John Williams IV is a political reporter at The Baltimore Banner. A native of Syracuse, New York, and a graduate of Howard University, he has lived in Baltimore for the past 17 years. Before coming to The Baltimore Banner, John-John worked for The Baltimore Sun covering education, fashion, home, food, travel, popular culture and DEI. Before coming to Baltimore, he worked at The Times-Picayune, and The Argus Leader. He interned at The Chicago Tribune, The Detroit Free Press and The Post Standard. In his free time he likes to travel, eat in restaurants, binge television shows and experience life.
The latest from John-John
Wes Moore’s future is tied to Baltimore. That cuts both ways.
Gov. Wes Moore has emphasized Baltimore during his first term. The city’s trajectory and his political future are connected.
Wendi Redfern named interim executive director of embattled West North Avenue authority
Wendi Redfern has been named interim executive director of the West North Avenue Development Authority (WNADA), the organization announced this afternoon.
Nick Mosby named interim leader of Baltimore’s North Avenue development authority
Former City Council President Nick Mosby was named interim leader of Baltimore’s West North Avenue Development Authority after the previous director’s ouster.
Judge cancels taxpayer-funded Trump ads put on air by Columbia-based company
A judge ordered President Trump to cancel any remaining taxpayer-funded television commercials made by a Columbia-based advertising agency.
Baltimore pitches itself as a home for filmmakers fleeing states worried about ‘woke’
“We don’t just want to profit off of artistry,” Robyn Murphy said, “but we want to be a place where art is protected and artists are protected.”
‘Mexodus’ creator is using music to mobilize Black voters
The concert will evoke traditions of Black churches bringing community together and, similar to Souls to the Polls events, encourage them to register and vote.
Columbia ad agency won $20M contract for taxpayer-funded Trump ads
Federal records show that LMD was awarded contracts worth $43.2 million in the fiscal year that ended Sept. 30.
Baltimore development authority leader fired after confrontation with artist captured in social video
Chad Williams, executive director of the West North Avenue Development Authority, has been fired. He was seen aggressively confronting a local artist in a social video that circulated this week.
Leon’s is coming back: Baltimore’s oldest gay bar to reopen this week
Leon’s will reopen Wednesday. Baltimore’s oldest gay bar, which opened in the 1950s, closed in July following the death of its owner Ron Singer.
Moore, Scott to appear on Fat Joe podcast amid controversy over slur
Fat Joe, the Puerto Rican and Cuban rapper known for hits with Ashanti and Jennifer Lopez, has drawn criticism after using a racial slur on a podcast this month.
Maryland is probably never getting a Buc‑ee’s
Maryland’s liberal-leaning ways may have gotten it placed on the do not expand list at Buc‑ee’s, the convenience store chain, with a cult-like following.
What a political win in Cherry Hill says about the power of Baltimore’s Black women voters
In Baltimore politics, all roads go through Black women — the city’s largest, most consistent voting bloc.
Brandon Scott’s endorsement sweep signals his growing influence beyond City Hall
Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott’s endorsements swept June primaries, boosting his political profile as the city’s progress on crime and investment draws national attention.
‘The Wire’ actor Sonja Sohn ridicules Trump for claiming credit for Baltimore’s crime drop
Actor Sonja Sohn rejects Trump’s claim of credit for Baltimore’s crime drop. In a social media video this weekend, she praised grassroots work, saying that’s why the city has made progress.
Maryland Democrats settle for less after bitter redistricting fight
Lawmakers are holding a special session on redistricting, but it’s too late to affect Trump’s agenda.
Baltimore Democratic official removed after confrontation with campaign volunteer
The decision came in response to a petition against Ronald Rosenbluth from the 41st District Democratic Central Committee. The 62-year-old was accused of yelling at 78-year-old Betsy Krieger on June 17 at an early voting center.
Campaign altercation leads to calls for a Baltimore Democratic official’s ouster
A three-member Maryland Democratic Party committee will discuss Ronald Rosenbluth’s fate Wednesday.
Supreme Court upholds birthright citizenship, rejecting Trump’s proposed limits
The Supreme Court ruled on a Trump executive order that would have upended more than a century of constitutional and legal history.
What we learned from Maryland’s 2026 primary election results
Tuesday’s elections were — mostly — decisive, with winners declared for governor, Congress, county executive and contested House of Delegates races.
Ruff defeats Attar in contentious West Baltimore state Senate race
Ruff picked up endorsements from Gov. Wes Moore, Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott, U.S. Rep. Kweisi Mfume, state Sen. Antonio Hayes, former Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake and seven Baltimore City Council members.
