‏"A native Baltimorean, I have attended many events and activities organized by the Baltimore Office of Promotion & The Arts, so I was pleased to join the Board of Directors in early 2017. I contributed expertise to their marketing and development efforts and served as Board Chair from 2022 to 2023, orchestrating the quasi-government entity through its difficult post-pandemic period."

Brian D. Lyles photo from 2019 Light City and Baltimore Book Festival

‏"After years of providing multimedia assistance at the annual CityLit Festival, I joined the CityLit Board of Directors in 2013, and I served as Board Chair/President from 2017 to 2020. My experience in non-profit management was helpful in guiding the organization's transition from its founding executive director to a new director."

Author Kwame Alexander (seated with daughter) and volunteer Claudia Bismarck at CityLit Stage, 2015 Baltimore Book Festival.  Photo by Brian D. Lyles

‏"When asked to be the videographer and editor for Mary Washington's first campaign video, I was honored to offer my talents. I had met Mary several years before through her work in my neighborhood and throughout Baltimore, and the video helped her 2010 campaign to reach more constituents on her way to winning a seat in the House of Delegates for Maryland's 43rd district. In 2018 she was elected State Senator."

Still from video by Brian D. Lyles: (l to r) 2010 State Senator Joan Carter Conway, Delegate Maggie Macintosh, Mary Washington and Delegate Curt Anderson.

‏"As a graduate of Gilman School with an interest and background in writing about architecture and historic preservation, I was pleased to volunteer time and talents to my alma mater's alumni magazine. Gilman's nearly century-old Carey Hall was undergoing an extensive renovation and expansion, and the two articles I authored documented the project. Over the years I have also contributed time to other alumni activities."

Cover of Gilman's Alumni Bulletin, Spring 2008

‏"While at the Museum of Industry, the Baltimore effort for Operation Sail 2000 asked me to join their marketing committee. It was a thrill to become a part of the international event, which celebrated the millennium by welcoming 30 tall ships and more than 1.5 million visitors to Baltimore, with an estimated economic impact of more than $100 million."

Photo by Brian D. Lyles of tall ship entering the Inner Harbor for OpSail 2000

"I was working at the Baltimore Museum of Industry when the American Association of Museums held its Annual Meeting and MuseumExpo in Baltimore in 2000. I was one of several managers and directors from local museums who participated in marketing the conference."

"My first board experience was the term I served as a trustee for Chase Brexton Health Services. Beginning as a free clinic in Baltimore's gay community center, the organization had evolved into a Federally Qualified Health Center, serving the entire community with multiple locations, but still maintaining its heritage of specialized care to LGBT patients. I was proud to provide the graphic design for Chase Brexton's 20th anniversary program... Prior to serving on the Chase Brexton board, I had served on a mayor's task force for gay and lesbian issues, was a founding member of a African American group in support of gay and lesbian equality, became communications chair for the first openly gay candidate to Maryland's legislature, and served on the funds distribution committee for Baltimore's AIDSWALK."