For Immediate Release

October 11, 2024

Annapolis, MD – The Maryland Commission on African American History and Culture (MCAAHC) and the
Banneker-Douglass Museum is proud to announce the historic unveiling of its new name – the
Banneker-Douglass-Tubman Museum (BDTM) – during the renaming celebration in honor of Harriet Tubman.
Honoring Our Legacy: A New Chapter – Banneker-Douglass-Tubman Museum Renaming Ceremony &
Maryland 160th Emancipation Day Reception featuring Keynote Speaker Nikki Giovanni will take place
on Friday, November 1, 2024 at 12:00 PM.

The public is invited to celebrate this momentous occasion via live stream on the BDTM Facebook and
Youtube channels on Friday, November 1, 2024, at Noon.

This event will be an afternoon of reflection, celebration, and inspiration as the new
Banneker-Douglass-Tubman Museum name is unveiled with the powerful words of the esteemed poet, author, and activist Nikki Giovanni. A distinguished figure of the Black Arts Movement and a graduate of Fisk University (‘67), Giovanni’s work has inspired generations, earning her numerous accolades including seven NAACP Image Awards, the first Rosa Parks Woman of Courage Award, and the Langston Hughes Medal for Poetry.

This historic event coincides with Maryland’s 160th Emancipation Day, a significant occasion that
commemorates the 1864 outlawing of slavery within the state. The addition of Harriet Tubman’s name to the museum acknowledges her profound impact on history and her roots on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, where she liberated herself and others from enslavement.

During this event, the MCAAHC, which operates the BDTM, will honor the recipients of the Harriet Tubman Lifetime Achievement Awards: Paulette Greene & Donna Dear (Caroline Co.), Carolyn Brooks
(Washington Co.), and Angela Crenshaw (Anne Arundel Co.). These outstanding individuals will be
recognized for their embodiment of Tubman’s spirit of activism, courage, and unwavering commitment to
justice.

“We are profoundly honored to embrace the legacy of Harriet Tubman in renaming our museum. This change is not merely symbolic; it embodies Tubman’s unwavering spirit of leadership, service, and her relentless fight for freedom and justice. It reflects our institution’s roots in protest, resilience, and the extraordinary contributions of Black women, including pioneers like Tubman, Charity Folks, and Senator Verda Freeman Welcome. This event will celebrate the labor and love of Black women, illuminating their vital impact on the future of the Banneker-Douglass-Tubman Museum and the broader African American community in Maryland,” said Chanel Compton-Johnson, Executive Director of MCAAHC and the BDTM.

Starting Saturday, November 2nd, the public can view the newly restored monumental sculpture Araminta with Rifle and Vévé (2017) by MacArthur “Genius” Fellow Dr. Joyce J. Scott. The repaired and redesigned vévé, or staff, will be returned to Araminta’s left hand. Standing 10 feet tall at the museum entrance, this striking Harriet Tubman monument, crafted from painted milled foam, found objects, blown glass, and mixed media appliqués, is a powerful symbol of the renaming celebration.

Thank you to BGE for supporting this event as the presenting sponsor.

Event Details
Honoring Our Legacy: A New Chapter Banneker-Douglass-Tubman Museum Renaming Ceremony &
Maryland 160th Emancipation Day Reception
Featuring Keynote Speaker Nikki Giovanni
Date: Friday, November 1, 2024
Time: 12:00pm
We will celebrate this event with the public via livestream on the BDTM Facebook and Youtube.

For more information, contact Director of Communications Jan Lee at jan.lee@maryland.gov  or (410) 216-6185.
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About Banneker-Douglass-Tubman Museum
The Banneker-Douglass-Tubman Museum is the State of Maryland’s official museum of African American
heritage and culture. It is operated by the Maryland Commission on African American History and Culture. It serves to document, interpret, and promote African American history and culture through exhibitions,
programs, and projects in order to improve the understanding and appreciation of America’s rich cultural
diversity for all. The museum is open to the public Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Admission is free. To learn more, visit http://bdmuseum.maryland.gov. Follow us on social media: Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube.

About the Maryland Commission on African American History and Culture
The Maryland Commission on African American History and Culture is committed to discovering, documenting, preserving, collecting, and promoting Maryland’s African American heritage. The Commission also provides technical assistance to institutions and groups with similar objectives. Through the accomplishment of this mission, the MCAAHC seeks to educate Maryland citizens and visitors to our state about the significance of the African American experience in Maryland. To learn more, visit https://africanamerican.maryland.gov. Follow us on social media: Facebook and LinkedIn.