Jamar R. Brown takes helm of Enoch Pratt Free Library boards
Baltimore attorney Jamar R. Brown has taken over as chair of the Enoch Pratt Free Library’s boards, where he will focus on partnerships, infrastructure needs and expanding access to library resources. The post Jamar R. Brown takes helm of Enoch Pratt Free Library boards appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.
Black News 
By Megan Sayles
AFRO Staff Writer
msayles@afro.com
Baltimore-based attorney Jamar R. Brown took over as the chair of the board of trustees and board of directors for the Enoch Pratt Free Library (EPFL) on July 1. Brown has been a member of EPFL’s boards since 2020, including most recently serving as vice chair of the board of directors.
As chair, Brown will help oversee the governance and strategic direction of the library system, which encompasses 23 branches and two technology labs. He called the appointment an honor.
“The Pratt is one of Baltimore’s most cherished civic institutions, and I’ve been inspired by its impact as a community hub for learning, social resources and culture,” said Brown. “It is a great personal and professional privilege to help steward this institution and advance its mission. Ultimately, I view this as an opportunity to serve the community.”
Brown, a seasoned trial lawyer and appellate advocate, serves as a partner at Rosenberg Martin Greenberg, a business law firm located in downtown Baltimore. As a litigator, he said effective communication and advocacy have been cornerstones of his career. He plans to draw on those skills in his leadership at EPFL, particularly as he works to engage stakeholders and build support for the library system.
Brown’s current term will span three years.
“Jamar is an outstanding leader, and I have every confidence that he will guide the board with insight, integrity and enthusiasm,” said Christine Espenshade, immediate past chair of EPFL’s boards.
In recent years, EPFL has navigated several transitions, including the appointment of a new CEO and president in September 2024 and the ratification of the system’s first-ever union contract in August 2025.
As the library continues to evolve, Brown said the boards’ top priorities include: strengthening and expanding partnerships with city and state leaders, securing capital to address aging infrastructure and enhance safety across branches, and bolstering support for staff to ensure they can effectively serve the community.
For Brown, EPFL’s biggest areas of opportunity lie in deepening its role as a civic institution and connecting more Baltimore residents with the library system’s free resources, services and programs.
“In the years ahead, I hope to work to ensure that the Pratt has the resources to continue to innovate to respond to ever-changing political, social and financial landscapes,” said Brown. “To me that primarily means developing a strong but broad coalition of people—both internally and externally—who are committed to and invested in Pratt’s rich legacy.”
The post Jamar R. Brown takes helm of Enoch Pratt Free Library boards appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.
