The B&O Railroad Museum Welcomes Three New Board Members
Anirban Basu, Janet S. Currie, and Wordsmith Join Board of Directors
Baltimore, MD –The B&O Railroad Museum is pleased to announce the appointment of three distinguished leaders to its Board of Directors: Anirban Basu, Chairman & CEO of Sage Policy Group; Janet S. Currie, President of Bank of America, Greater Maryland; and Wordsmith, Artistic Partner of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. These dynamic individuals bring a wealth of expertise, vision, and community commitment to the Museum. Their leadership will further the Museum’s ability to preserve and celebrate the rich history of America’s first railroad as the Museum prepares for a national celebration of the 200th anniversary of the American railroad in 2027.
“We are both excited and honored to have these three great Marylanders join our Board of Directors,” said Kris Hoellen, Executive Director of the B&O Railroad Museum. “We look forward to having Janet’s expertise in finance, Anirban’s focus on economics and Wordsmith’s engagement in the entertainment industry. Plus, these are three leaders with demonstrated commitment to the community.”
Anirban Basu, Chairman & CEO of Sage Policy Group
Basu founded Sage Policy Group in 2004. He has twice been recognized as one of Maryland’s 50 most influential people and also been named one of the Baltimore region’s 20 most powerful business leaders. In 2014, Maryland Governor Larry Hogan appointed Dr. Basu as Chairman of the Maryland Economic Development Commission, a position he held through 2021. He serves the Chief Economist function for several organizations around the country and lectures at Goucher College as their distinguished Economist in Residence.
Dr. Basu currently serves on the boards of the University of Maryland School of Law, St. Mary’s College, the University of Maryland Medical Center, the University System of Maryland Foundation, the Lyric Opera House and the Archdiocese of Baltimore School System. He is also on Truist Bank’s advisory board. B.S., Foreign Service, Georgetown University. M.S., Public Policy, Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government. M.S., Economics, University of Maryland, College Park. J.D., University of Maryland School of Law. Ph.D., Health Economics, University of Maryland, Baltimore County.
Janet S. Currie, President, Bank of America, Greater Maryland
Janet Currie is president of Bank of America, Greater Maryland, and the market executive for the Local Markets Organization.
During her more than 30-year career in financial services, Janet has held several key executive roles including National Banking Group Support executive responsible for supporting the operations of 5800 financial centers and owning significant processes in the Bank of America acquisition of FleetBoston Financial. She has also served as Consumer Market Executive responsible for the sales and operations of the Greater Baltimore financial centers, Premier Banking executive responsible for wealth management sales and operations and Consumer Mortgage Area Executive leading local home loan sales.
Janet has served on numerous local boards and currently serves on the board of the Maryland Bankers Association as Chair, the Greater Baltimore Committee as Secretary, Cherry Hill Strong, Baltimore Workforce Development and the Baltimore Convention and Tourism board. She Co-Chairs the Greater Baltimore Committee’s Baltimore Women’s Advisory Board. Janet has been recognized as a Daily Record Influential Marylander, a Daily Record Power 30 Banking & Finance professional, a Whitney M. Young Jr. Service Award winner, a Baltimore Sun 25 Women to Watch honoree, a Baltimore Business Journal Enterprising Women of Excellence honoree and a Daily Record Maryland’s Top 100 Women honoree. B.A., Spelman College, M.S., New York University, Stern School of Business.
Wordsmith
Wordsmith is a songwriter, poet, recording artist, actor, playwright, entrepreneur and philanthropist from Baltimore, MD.
Wordsmith is a Grammy Voting Member, a finalist for the 2023 and 2024 Baker Artist Awards, a five-time ASCAPLUS Award winner, and winner of Best Rap/Hip Album for Perspective Jukebox at the 16th Independent Music Awards. He was selected as one of 25 Black Marylanders to Watch in 2024 by The Baltimore Sun, and he is an is an International Exchange Alumnus with the US Department of State. His music and jingles are featured on prominent networks and shows like WWE, ESPN Sportscenter, Kawasaki, Russian Doll (Netflix), Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt (Netflix), Preacher (AMC) and many more!
An Artistic Partner with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra (BSO), Wordsmith has been commissioned to write narrations for multiple new works and collaborations, including: “Carnival of the Animals” (BSO), “Destined Words” (BSO Gala Celebration), “Freedom’s Genuine Dawn” (Boston Symphony Orchestra), and “Network to Freedom” (world premiere, B&O Railroad Museum, MLK Day 2024). Wordsmith followed up these performances with landmark reinterpretations of Stravinsky’s “The Soldier’s Tale”, “Beethoven Ninth,” and his original classical fusion piece “Made in America.” Playwriting and directing credits include “The Purple Tape” and “Black Woman Genius.” Wordsmith officially opened his nonprofit “Rise with a Purpose, Inc.” in 2020, while delivering his first TED Talk via John Hopkins University. B.F.A., Performing Arts, Music, & Theater, Salisbury University.
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About the B&O Railroad Museum
The B&O Railroad Museum, the birthplace of American railroading, located in Baltimore, Maryland is a full affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution, and a National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Site. It is dedicated to the preservation and interpretation of American railroading and its impact on American society, culture, and economy. The Museum is home to the oldest, most comprehensive collection of railroad artifacts in the Western Hemisphere including an unparalleled roster of 19th and 20th century railroad equipment, the 1851 Mt. Clare Station, the 1884 Baldwin Roundhouse and first mile of commercial railroad track in America. Currently, the Museum welcomes guests from all 50 states and 40 countries. For further information on the B&O Railroad Museum, please call 410- 752-2490 or visit www.BORail.org.
Media Contact:
Stephanie Jayakanthan
B & O Railroad Museum
