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Baltimore's Own Maria Broom Adds 'Author' To Body Of Work

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Actress, dancer and teacher. It's just part of the resume of former WJZ personality Maria Broom.

Now Ron Matz reports you can add the title of author to her amazing body of work.

Storytelling, dance, movies and TV--Maria Broom has done it all. And now, her new book, The Village Bully.

"About a decade or so ago I read about this village, this tribe in Africa. They had a way of dealing with people who had done something wrong that didn't include punishment or shaming. When I read that, it resonated with me. So I thought how in heaven's name could we do something like that in America? I would like bullying to eventually become extinct," she said.

Students at the Baltimore School for the Arts listen intently.

"While I was teaching they started making these movie and TV series here in Baltimore. First was Clara's Heart with Whoopi Goldberg and Neil Patrick Harris, then there was Homicide and The Corner. From that came The Wire. And I did all five seasons of that," said Broom.

Many recognize her from her role in The Wire.

"The Wire is known around the world. I am so surprised how people from other countries will recognize me because they watch The Wire in India, in Australia. I'm always shocked," she said.

She's hoping the characters in hew new book will resonate.

"What it made me realize is that when children are affirmed by each other and made to feel good and positive, when they know their peers say good thing about them, it settles their hearts," said Broom.

Broom has received numerous awards during her career, but the biggest might be at the Baltimore School for the Arts, where's been a member of the theater faculty for the past 20 years.

"My life is a movie. Before getting into television, I wanted to be a dancer. That's what I wanted to do when I was growing up. I started performing and teaching dance. I taught dance at the Park School for six years and I've been teaching at the Baltimore School for the Arts for the past 20 years," said Broom.

Broom has scheduled four readings of her new book. The first will take place at the Baltimore School for the Arts on Saturday, Feb. 7. For more information, click here.

 

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