A new documentary exploring the mission of the independent, nonprofit news outlet Baltimore Beat is set to debut this fall. “The Beat Goes On: The Story of the Baltimore Beat,” chronicles Editor-in-Chief Lisa Snowden and her team as they build a news outlet for all of the city. The film explores Baltimore’s legacy of Black journalism, the end of 40-year-old cultural institution Baltimore City Paper, and police accountability in the wake of the 2015 uprising sparked by the death of Freddie Gray.
“There’s no better time than now for this conversation about journalism and storytelling,” Snowden said. “We are living through the reality of what happens when the news isn’t inclusive, when the news doesn’t meet the needs of everyone in the community. The Beat is part of a community of news outlets that are trying to build something better. I’m grateful that we’ve been able to have our stories told in this way.”
Director David Elliot, producer Dion Smith and producer and recording artist Eze Jackson have been working on the documentary since January 2025. This is the first project produced by their production company, 6pm Productions. Through creative storytelling and stunning visuals, 6pm Productions aims to change the national image of Baltimore.
Elliot is a Baltimore-based filmmaker who fell in love with cameras and storytelling while attending The Baltimore School for the Arts. For the last 20 years, he has used his camera to display Baltimore City’s vibrant arts scene, creating authentic visuals that uplift his community.
Elliot and Jackson have been collaborating for years. Elliot has directed five of Jackson’s music videos including his heavily celebrated song “Be Great”.
“Baltimore has a thriving arts community but it is often overshadowed. We have to create projects that show the community as we know it,” Elliot said.
“The Beat Goes On: The Story of the Baltimore Beat,” explores what it’s like to serve the needs of Black audiences in Baltimore City, which has been plagued by racist tropes and damaging narratives perpetuated by media institutions for decades. It features interviews from Baltimore Beat co-founders Lisa Snowden and Brandon Soderberg, along with Beat staffers, local artists and musicians, journalism veterans like Mark Steiner and Baynard Woods, and longtime police accountability activist Tawanda Jones.
The film will be completed this November.
Once the film is released, Baltimore Beat and 6pm Productions plan to screen it in venues across Baltimore and around the country.
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