20 Questions With Neekta Khorsand

Live Baltimore Staff

It’s time to introduce a new Live Baltimore team member. Get to know our newest staff member today with a good, old-fashioned round of 20 Questions! This installment features Program Director Neekta Khorsand.

How long have you lived in Baltimore City?

6.5 years— the longest I’ve lived in any one place!

Which neighborhood do you currently live in?

Mid-Town Belvedere

Are you a homeowner or a renter?

Homeowner three years goin’!

If you had to live in a different Baltimore neighborhood which would you choose (pretend money is no object)?

My top three are: Mount Vernon, Bolton Hill, and Otterbein

Best things to do in Baltimore on a Saturday night…GO!

Drinks at Dutch Courage, Dinner at Clavel, and either a movie at The Senator, an opening at Creative Alliance, or a show at Ottobar

What is still on your Baltimore to-do list?

Toilet bowl race and Miracle on 34th Street in Hampden; Fourth of July Pet Parade at the American Visionary Art Museum in Federal Hill,  a BROS (Baltimore Rock Opera Society) production; eat a Koko’s crab cake— SO MANY THINGS!

Who is your favorite Baltimore mascot? Mr. Boh, The Oriole Bird, Poe the Raven or someone else?

The Trash Wheel family! I prefer Professor Trash Wheel because who doesn’t love a PhD-holdin’ trash gobbler?

What one piece of advice would you give to someone moving to Baltimore from out of town?

I learned very quickly in Baltimore that you really get out of the city what you put into it so be ready to meet people, try new things, explore different areas, and frequent the small businesses as much as possible because Baltimore is all about its details.

What do you love most about the city?

The people— especially folks who are born and bred Baltimore. They’re always direct, fully themselves, and so willing to show all the way up for their city. I also am obsessed with the varied and generally resplendent architecture of Baltimore. From the historic homes in Federal Hill to the little enclave of Otterbein to the sprawling, gorgeous family homes in Mount Washington there is truly a neighborhood for every taste.

What is your preferred mode of transportation?

If I can walk there, I will, but as a tried and true Southern California girl, I love a nice lil drive.

What is your favorite feature of the city?

How much people of Baltimore support, encourage, and cheer one another on. I’ve never lived somewhere so interconnected and I love how easy it is to meet someone new only to find out you know someone in common.

Besides Live Baltimore, what other local nonprofits do you support?

Jubilee Arts’ Youth In Business, Baltimore Youth Arts, Writers in Baltimore Schools, Enoch Pratt Library, Open Works, Baltimore Jewelry Center, Parks & People Foundation, Baltimore Creative Mornings, and A Revolutionary Summer

What’s your favorite outdoor city activity?

I really enjoy running because it allows me to wander through the city, see its excellence, and spend time with friends.

What is your superpower?

Connecting folks! I love meeting people and bringing them together with others.

Which Baltimore celebrity (past or present) would you most like to have dinner with?

Lucille Clifton

What is your favorite locally made product?

Thread Coffee, Blacksauce Kitchen biscuits, Crust By Mack hand pies

What is one thing you want the world to know about Baltimore?

Baltimore is a city like any other in that it is complex but it is unique in that it does not hide who it is and lives so fully in its excellence no matter what that when people open themselves up to seeing that excellence, it’s all they’ll see. I love it here.

What is one thing you’d still like to learn about Baltimore?

I’m excited for the Black Arts District and all it’s already highlighted regarding the vibrant history of Pennsylvania Avenue.

What three words best describe your work personality?

Creative, tenacious, and caring.

What excites you most about joining the Live Baltimore team?

That I get to work with truly talented and excellent humans who are as about Baltimore as I am while acting as a resource to folks who want to make and keep Baltimore their home in new and lasting ways.

We’ve had fun introducing you to our new colleague! Look for more installments of this series in the future as our team continues to grow. You can read more about Mid-Town Belvedere on our Neighborhoods page.