"I didn't believe it at first, but as time went on, I could tell it was going to happen. And I think that if it doesn't happen this time, it'll happen before I die."
Effect on adults
Adults who follow youth culture say they, too, have seen an impact from Obama's candidacy, though some fear his inspirational story will not resonate with poor people in the inner city.
Chantel Clea, who is chairwoman of the Baltimore City Youth Commission, which advises the City Council on youth issues, has seen Obama's candidacy motivate even younger Baltimoreans, particularly her cousins, ages 7, 11 and 14.
"This is something our generation ... can say we have been a part of," Clea said. "Our parents and grandparents, they can say they were a part of the civil rights movement or the March on Washington. We can actually say, 'I donated money to the campaign for the first black president of the United States.' He has given my generation and the generation behind me a sense of hope and something we can tangibly belong to."Even if he does not win, for a lot of people it's about being engaged in the process and knowing that I can make a difference," she said. "They know that it's not that far-fetched that as an African-American in Baltimore City, or anywhere, I can actually hold the seat of highest office and I can actually be taken seriously."
Such a statement marks a real change in American society, said Farajii Muhammad, president of the Towson-based New Light Leadership coalition, which trains youth to be political activists.
"Even if for some reason he doesn't make it to the presidency, know for sure, there is some young black person who is saying right now, 'He has paved the way thus far; if not this time, next time, we can do it.' "
Muhammad, 29, who hosts a radio show on WEAA called Listen Up, which discusses politics, education and economics aimed at a young urban audience, said he hopes Obama's message can empower Baltimore's youth, particularly those confronting issues of poverty and violence.
Baltimore school officials certainly hope the enthusiastic predictions prove true.
"I think it will be tremendous for all children in the country, not simply African-American children," said city schools chief Andres Alonso. "But it will mean most to African-American children and to immigrant children. What a life story!"
But other experts think Obama's influence will be uneven at best - especially in high-poverty, high-crime areas such as Baltimore.
