The Ride-or-Dies - Collective Profile¶
Overview¶
"The Ride-or-Dies" is the name for a group of five young men who became best friends during their gifted academy years in Baltimore. The core group—Logan Weston, Malik Carter (pronounced Mah-LEEK), Mason Brooks, and Jordan Wells—met at the gifted academy in second grade and have been ride-or-dies ever since. Logan, Malik, and Jordan are Black boys who navigated the particular challenges of intellectual acceleration, racial microaggressions, and bullying in academic settings together. Mason is white but has been part of the brotherhood since the beginning. James Pennington, a British immigrant who arrived later, joined the group and became its theatrical heart—the second white member.
The name reflects their unwavering loyalty through Logan's years of brutal bullying (3rd through 8th grades), a traumatic police encounter, and the pressures of high school and college applications. When one of them is in trouble, the others show up—no questions asked, no hesitation.
Members¶
Logan Weston (b. February 2008) - The brilliant center around whom much of the group's protective energy flows - Valedictorian of Edgewood High School - IQ of 155, attended gifted academy from early age - Target of relentless bullying from 3rd through 8th grades - See: Logan Weston - Biography
Malik Carter (b. March 15, 2007) - The intellectual provocateur who challenges everyone to think more deeply - Salutatorian of Edgewood High School - Direct, brilliant, and unafraid to challenge authority - Provides intellectual sparring and protective confrontation - First to report Logan's bullying; led the charge when they left the academy - Style: understated sharpness—dark jeans, clean sneakers, button-downs or hoodies that fit just right - See: Malik Carter - Biography
Mason Brooks (b. ~2006-2007) - The comic relief and tactician - Forms comedic duo with James Pennington; flirts relentlessly with James as part of their dynamic - Known for deadpan observations and physical comedy - More emotionally astute than he lets on - Bonds with Logan over sports stats and analytical rivalry - Style: loud and proud—graphic tees, flashy jackets, mismatched socks, rotating collection of sneakers - See: Mason Brooks - Biography
Jordan Wells (b. September 12, 2006) - The quiet observer and mediator, "the calm in the storm" - Star athlete at 6'6", already built like a professional basketball player - Shoe-in for basketball scholarships, future NBA player after college - Sees what others miss, communicates through actions - Guided Logan through the police encounter with calm precision - "Rarely says much, but when he does, it counts" - Style: simple, clean, athletic—fitted joggers, team gear, crisp sneakers - See: Jordan Wells - Biography
James Pennington (b. December 4, 2007) - The theatrical heart with a brilliant mind - British immigrant (arrived age 7), retained accent - Attends Baltimore School for the Arts (theater focus) - One of few who could match Logan's GPA - Only white member of the group - See: James Pennington - Biography
Origins¶
The core four (Logan, Malik, Mason, Jordan) met at the gifted academy in Baltimore in second grade and became inseparable almost immediately. Logan, Malik, and Jordan—all Black boys—navigated the particular challenges of being identified as "gifted" together: the social isolation, the competitive pressure, the way intelligence could make them targets as easily as it opened doors. Mason, though white, was part of the brotherhood from day one, never questioning his place among them.
James Pennington joined the group after his family immigrated from England when he was seven. The connection happened through their mothers—when Eleanor Pennington mentioned to Julia Weston that her son was struggling with the transition from England, Julia invited them to a small gathering. James and Logan clicked immediately; Logan didn't flinch at James's accent or sarcasm, and laughed at James's TARDIS socks. The rest was ride-or-die history.
At his new school, classmates mocked James's British accent and unfamiliar words, but Logan was one of the first friends to accept him without mockery—a kindness James never forgot and which formed the foundation of their close friendship. James's theatrical nature and emotional expressiveness brought a different energy to the group, and he was fully embraced as a ride-or-die.
During Logan's worst school experiences—relentless bullying from 3rd through 8th grades—he was defended only by his ride-or-dies. When the bullying intensified, his friends started forwarding threatening messages to Logan, helping him save and document the harassment. Malik was the first to report the harassment to the administration—and the most furious when they failed to act. What enraged him most wasn't just the school's failure; it was that Logan had kept so much of the abuse hidden before he finally cracked. The group tried repeatedly to report to administration, but their efforts were largely dismissed or ineffective. They provided comprehensive protection and support when he was isolated and targeted.
By 8th grade, the cumulative weight of years of abuse had become unbearable. Logan collapsed under the pressure, and the situation finally prompted his transfer to Edgewood High School, where he could start fresh. When the group made the unanimous decision to leave the gifted academy together, it was Malik who led the charge. His ride-or-dies followed—Malik, Mason, and Jordan all transferred to Edgewood, while James continued at Baltimore School for the Arts but remained tightly connected to the group.
Extended Circle¶
While the core five remain the ride-or-dies, their friend group expanded at Edgewood. Jacob Keller joined their extended circle in late freshman or early sophomore year. As the only other white friend besides James, Jacob brought his own outsider perspective and quiet steadiness to the group. Though not one of the original ride-or-dies, he was welcomed into their broader social network and became a trusted friend.
The group's relationship with Jacob is nuanced. Malik likes Jacob—he sees the brilliant mind behind the shutdowns and the music behind the moods—but he doesn't tolerate Jacob's volatility, especially his hot-and-cold tendency toward Logan. When Jacob's behavior threatens Logan's wellbeing, Malik doesn't let it slide. Jordan "has a soft spot for Jacob," showing compassion while understanding the complexity of Logan's relationship with him.
Group Dynamics¶
Each member brings distinct qualities to the group:
- Logan: The brilliant center, the one they all protect, whose perfectionism they all try to soften
- Malik: The intellectual provocateur, challenges everyone to think deeper, protective through confrontation
- Mason: The comic relief and tactician, brings levity through deadpan humor, analytical rivalry with Logan
- Jordan: The quiet observer and mediator, sees what others miss, protects through calm action
- James: The theatrical heart, brings emotional expressiveness and dramatic flair, forms comedic duo with Mason
The balance between Malik's direct intellectual challenge and Jordan's calm mediation creates comprehensive support for the entire group. Mason and James's comedic partnership provides emotional release during high-pressure times. Logan, despite being at the center of much protective energy, also provides steady wisdom and intellectual grounding.
The Police Encounter¶
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During a tense police encounter, Logan's friends' protective instincts immediately activated. Jordan's hand casually tugged Logan's backpack strap with the warning "Don't move," followed by the murmured guidance "Lo, just give it to him"—brief but critical intervention that understood racial dynamics and danger better than Logan did in that moment. Mason edged closer and Malik stopped laughing, their bodies positioning themselves around their friend.
This incident demonstrated the ride-or-dies' understanding that their brilliant friend, despite his intelligence, needed protection from situations where being young and Black could be deadly regardless of academic achievement.
The Caribbean Cruise (February 2024)¶
For Logan's sixteenth birthday, his parents Nathan and Julia took him on a Caribbean cruise—and brought Malik, Mason, and Jordan specifically to give Logan peer support in letting loose. (James was not on the cruise, attending Baltimore School for the Arts programs.)
For one week, the boys gave Logan permission to be imperfect. They participated in ridiculous activities: karaoke performances prioritizing fun over quality, terrible bets about who could eat the most at the buffet or hold their breath longest in the pool, stupid teenage competitions that had nothing to do with academic achievement.
Malik, who constantly pushed Logan to "relax for once," embraced the opportunity. Mason brought his deadpan observations and physical comedy. Jordan was "the loud one, always talking trash," his constant energy and playful antagonism making Logan laugh. Nathan and Julia watched their son transform—singing badly, playing stupid games, taking a three-hour nap and waking up "snoring like a freight train."
The cruise demonstrated that Logan had capacity for happiness when given explicit permission and peer support—a truth his ride-or-dies had suspected but rarely got to witness in action.
Senior Year¶
Senior year brought its own pressures. At their lunch table at Edgewood (James attending separately at BSA but remaining connected), the usual chaos unfolded: Jordan arguing about fantasy basketball picks, James reenacting his latest academic disasters with dramatic flair, Mason delivering deadpan observations, Malik tossing fries into people's milk cartons and acting innocent.
When Logan spiraled under college application pressure, his friends tried to pull him back. Jordan: "C'mon, Lo. You gon' pass. You know that, right?" James: "Dude, seriously. Take ten minutes." Malik: "Okay, Logan. Plain English?" when Logan launched into neuroscience explanations of sleep deprivation. Mason: "That's not food. That's an edible paperweight" about Logan's untouched lunch.
The group also navigated institutional racism together. Jordan vented about a guidance counselor telling him to "reconsider aiming too high." Malik ranted about "another teacher assuming he was cheating—again." James made the observation that "Logan doesn't get that talk"—not malicious, but true. Logan's exceptional achievements made him "safe" in ways that protected him from some blatant racist dismissal, even as he carried different pressures.
At graduation in late spring 2025, the group gathered to watch Logan deliver his valedictorian speech about perfectionism, mental health, and systemic racism. Even James, who graduated from BSA rather than Edgewood, attended to support his friends. The ceremony marked both achievement and survival.
Significance¶
The Ride-or-Dies represent: - Loyalty: Unwavering commitment through bullying, crisis, and pressure - Protection: Physical and emotional safeguarding of each other - Chosen Family: Bonds formed in childhood that sustain through adversity - Diverse Strengths: Different personality types working together for mutual support - Black Excellence (and allyship): Four Black boys and one white ally thriving despite systems designed to harm them - Permission to Be Imperfect: Creating space for each other to rest, laugh, and fail