UPCOMING

Creative Connections: Community Gatherings for the Soul ft. Michele Blu Yoga

SATURDAY, APRIL 5TH
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
BANNEKER-DOUGLASS-TUBMAN MUSEUM
84 Franklin Street, Annapolis MD 21401

This Creative-Connections session will feature Michele Blu of Michele Blu Yoga, who will guide participants through a unique blend of yoga, voice & sound immersion/healing, and mindfulness. Michelle’s approach to mindfulness is inclusive and adaptable, making these classes open to all skill levels—whether you’re a beginner, expert, or somewhere in between—and are ideal for individuals and families alike. Join us for an enriching experience that nurtures both body and mind in our sacred space!

MCAAHC April 2025 Public Meeting

MONDAY, APRIL 7TH
11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Quinn Chapel Christian Life Center
132 East 4th Street, Frederick, MD 21701

Join us for the upcoming April 2025 MCAAHC Public Meeting! This public meeting is hosted by Commissioner Kennedi Wilson representing Frederick County. Join us to learn about upcoming initiatives, and to hear from engaging speakers in the heritage and preservation community.

Night of Sacred Sounds: An Evening of Jazz + The Spoken Word

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30TH
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
BANNEKER-DOUGLASS-TUBMAN MUSEUM
84 Franklin Street, Annapolis MD 21401

In solidarity with UNESCO’s International Jazz Day, join the Banneker-Douglass-Tubman Museum for Night of Sacred Sounds: An Evening of Jazz + The Spoken Word—a celebration of rhythm, soul, and inspiration featuring the Kweku Sumbry Quartet and Wesley “Panama” Watkins, Jr. and the Count the Cost Band! This special fundraiser will support the museum’s upcoming programming while honoring the rich cultural heritage of jazz and poetry, two art forms deeply rooted in the African Diaspora.

Set against the backdrop of the museum’s Sacred Spaces exhibition, this event will explore the profound ties between spirituality, artistry, and the African diasporic experience, offering a night of reflection, joy, and community.

Whether you’re captivated by the rhythm of the drums, moved by the eloquence of poetry, or simply drawn to the warmth of shared moments, Night of Sacred Sounds promises to uplift your spirit and energize your soul.

AAHPP Q&A Workshop

FRIDAY, MAY 9TH
1:00 PM
VIRTUAL

Registration is now open for the FY 2026 African American Heritage Preservation Program (AAHPP) Webinars & In-Person Workshops!

Come to a Q&A Session ready to talk about your specific project. Be prepared to ask detailed questions about your project, general questions about the program, or just listen in.

Before joining a Q&A Session it is recommended to have participated in a General Overview webinar or in-person workshop, but not required. View FY26 General Overview Webinar here.

Preserving Sacred Spaces | Virtual Discussion

SATURDAY, MAY 17TH
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
VIRTUAL

In celebration of National Preservation Month, we invite you to an inspiring virtual discussion as we honor the remarkable story of Charity Folks, a formerly enslaved woman who self-emancipated and owned property in Annapolis, MD–some of which the Banneker-Douglass-Tubman Museum stands on today.

Join us for a conversation featuring author, historian, and professor Dr. Jessica Millward, guided by Annapolis historian Janice Hayes-Williams, as they shed light on Folks’ significant contributions and highlight the importance of preserving sacred spaces. This event offers a unique opportunity to engage with individuals who are committed to safeguarding vital cultural landmarks and ensuring their stories endure.

Dr. Jessica Millward is a media savvy historian and podcast host who specializes in bringing a historical perspective to modern times.  An Associate Professor in the Department of History and Core Faculty member of African American Studies at UC Irvine, Dr. Millward’s first book, Finding Charity’s Folk: Enslaved and Free Black women in Maryland was published as part of the Race in the Atlantic World series, Athens: University of Georgia Press (2015).  

June 2025 MCAAHC Public Meeting

MONDAY, JUNE 2ND
11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
JOSIAH HENSON MUSEUM & PARK
11410 Old Georgetown Road
North Bethesda, MD 20852

Host: Chair Maya Davis & Commissioner Robert Patterson, both representing Prince George’s County

Join us to learn about upcoming initiatives, and to hear from engaging speakers in the heritage and preservation community.

AAHPP Q&A Workshop

FRIDAY, JUNE 6TH
10:30 AM
BANNEKER-DOUGLASS-TUBMAN MUSEUM
84 Franklin Street, Annapolis MD 21401

Registration is now open for the FY 2026 African American Heritage Preservation Program (AAHPP) Webinars & In-Person Workshops!

Come to a Q&A Session ready to talk about your specific project. Be prepared to ask detailed questions about your project, general questions about the program, or just listen in.

Before joining a Q&A Session it is recommended to have participated in a General Overview webinar or in-person workshop, but not required. View FY26 General Overview Webinar here.

Maryland Day Weekend

SATURDAY, MARCH 22ND
10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
BANNEKER-DOUGLASS-TUBMAN MUSEUM
84 Franklin Street, Annapolis MD 21401

Join us this Maryland Day Weekend to celebrate Women’s History Month with a special tour led by the museum’s Curator, Martina Dodd, and Exhibits Manager, Leslie Rose, highlighting the contributions of Black women in our collection. 

This tour honors the legacy of pioneering Black women like our namesake Harriet Tubman, Senator Verda Freeman Welcome, Anna Murray Douglass, Charity Folks, Dr. Lillie Carroll Jackson, and many more. We’re proud to center the ongoing contributions of African American women to Maryland’s rich culture, history, and social movements.

The day will also feature a morning mindfulness program with Michele Blu Yoga and an afternoon children’s activity with Baltimore Read Aloud. While visiting, learn more about the Maryland Commission on African American History and Culture’s Book Drive and explore over 40 events celebrating Maryland’s Birthday, heritage, and culture across Annapolis and Anne Arundel County. We look forward to welcoming you for a meaningful day of art, history, and community!

Limited spots are available for the mindfulness activity and tour — register to reserve your spot.

Creative Connections: Community Gatherings for the Soul ft. Michele Blu Yoga

TUESDAY, MARCH 11TH
11:00 AM – 12:30 PM
BANNEKER-DOUGLASS-TUBMAN MUSEUM
84 Franklin Street, Annapolis MD 21401

In celebration of our new exhibit, Sacred Spaces, and to nurture a true sense of community, we’re excited to offer the museum as a welcoming venue for creatives, artists, mindfulness practitioners, and more to host public classes. Join us as we welcome Michelle Blu Yoga!

Creative Connections: Community Gatherings for the Soul ft. Ni Dembaya African Dance and Drum Ensemble

SATURDAY, MARCH 8TH
1:00 PM – 3:30 PM
BANNEKER-DOUGLASS-TUBMAN MUSEUM
84 Franklin Street, Annapolis MD 21401

In celebration of our new exhibit, Sacred Spaces, and to nurture a true sense of community, we’re excited to launch a new initiative: Creative Connections! We’re offering the museum as a welcoming venue for creatives, artists, mindfulness practitioners, and more to host public classes. 

To kick off this initiative, we’ll be offering African dance and drum classes led by the Maryland-based collective Ni Dembaya. These classes are open to all skill levels—whether you’re a beginner, expert, or somewhere in between—and are ideal for individuals and families alike. Join us to learn, connect, and experience the energy of this “sacred space.” We can’t wait to welcome you!

Sacred Spaces Exhibition Opening Reception
& Black History Month Celebration

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 8TH
12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
BANNEKER-DOUGLASS-TUBMAN MUSEUM
84 Franklin Street, Annapolis MD 21401

Join us for the opening reception of “Sacred Spaces,” an art and augmented reality exhibition featuring artwork by Maryland based artist Jabari Jefferson, that explores the spiritual and cultural contributions of the African American community. In celebration of Black History Month, this program is presented by the Maryland Commission on African American History and Culture and will include an artist talk, exhibition tour and more! Join us for this unique opportunity to mingle with artists, curators, and fellow art enthusiasts as we kick off this exciting exhibition. 

MCAAHC February 2025 Public Meeting

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 3RD
11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
REGINALD F. LEWIS MUSEUM
830 E Pratt Street, Baltimore, MD 21202

Join us for the Black History Month edition of the Maryland Commission on African American History and Culture Public Meeting, to learn about upcoming initiatives, and to hear from engaging speakers in the heritage and preservation community!

Guest speaker: Bibi Brenda Brown, Adjunct Instructor, Department of History, Geography and Museum Studies, Morgan State University, will speak on the topic of “African American Me”.

Creative Connections: Community Gatherings for the Soul ft. Ni Dembaya African Dance and Drum Ensemble

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 15TH
1:00 PM – 3:30 PM
BANNEKER-DOUGLASS-TUBMAN MUSEUM
84 Franklin Street, Annapolis MD 21401

In celebration of our new exhibit, Sacred Spaces, and to nurture a true sense of community, we’re excited to launch a new initiative: Creative Connections! We’re offering the museum as a welcoming venue for creatives, artists, mindfulness practitioners, and more to host public classes. 

To kick off this initiative, we’ll be offering African dance and drum classes led by the Maryland-based collective Ni Dembaya. These classes are open to all skill levels—whether you’re a beginner, expert, or somewhere in between—and are ideal for individuals and families alike. Join us to learn, connect, and experience the energy of this “sacred space.” We can’t wait to welcome you!

MLK Program: Decolonize Your Dream!

SATURDAY, JANUARY 18TH
12:00 PM – 3:00 PM
BANNEKER-DOUGLASS-TUBMAN MUSEUM
84 Franklin Street, Annapolis MD 21401

In celebration of the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday, join us for Decolonize Your Dream!, an inspirational performance and workshop featuring anti-disciplinary artist, curator, and DJ, Muse Dodd. A native of Severn, MD, Muse’s work explores the profound questions: “How do you remember, and what do you choose to forget?” With a focus on channeling trauma, Muse transforms both personal and collective pain into powerful expressions of movement, ritual, and collective dreaming. 

Artist Muse Dodd (they/them) will lead the audience through their artistic practice as an anti-disciplinary artist who works in moving image, performance, and sound. The program will include a live performance and sound bath by the artist under their MUSE(O)FIRE moniker, as well as an artist talk and Q&A followed by a hands-on workshop where participants will be invited to create a collectively sourced video collage. Participants will be asked to share a piece of media, be it a short video clip, image or sound that will explore our co-created collective dream for a more just and embodied present and future.

This program promises to be a deeply moving exploration of memory, identity, and the healing potential of art. Light refreshments will be provided.

Kwanzaa Celebration & Sacred Spaces Artmaking Workshop

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 14TH
10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
BANNEKER-DOUGLASS-TUBMAN MUSEUM
84 Franklin Street, Annapolis MD 21401

Join us for our annual Kwanzaa Celebration featuring local vendors, cultural food, a special performance by Ni Dembaya African Drum & Dance Ensemble, and the Sacred Spaces artmaking workshop!

The workshop, led by artist Jabari Jefferson, offers community members the opportunity to actively engage in the art-making process for our upcoming exhibit, Sacred Spaces.

Voices for Change: Juvenile Justice Reform

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 11TH
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
VIRTUAL

Join us for an important discussion as thought leaders from across Maryland present a comprehensive exploration of the history and current state of juvenile justice reform, focusing on its profound impact on Black youth throughout the state. 

Moderated by BDTM & Maryland Commission on African American History and Culture Executive Director Chanel C. Johnson, this conversation will feature guest speakers

• Chris Haley of the Maryland State Archives
• Dayvon Love of Leaders of a Beautiful Struggle
• Maya Davis of the Maryland Lynching Truth and Reconciliation Commission 
• Eric N. Ford, Commission on Juvenile Justice Reform & Emerging & Best Practices

We will discuss the systemic challenges, ongoing initiatives, and potential solutions, offering insights into how these reforms shape the lives and futures of young Black individuals in Maryland. 

MCAAHC December 2024 Public Meeting

MONDAY, DECEMBER 2ND
11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
WATERS UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
205 Market Street, Oxford MD 21654

This month’s meeting will be hosted by Commissioner Barbara Paca representing Talbot County.

Commissioner Barbara Paca, Ph.D., O.B.E. was appointed to the Maryland Commission on African American History and Culture in 2018 by Governor Lawrence J. Hogan. Commissioner Paca is a full research professor in the Department of Anthropology at the University of Maryland (College Park) MD, an art historian, founder of the Water’s Edge Museum in Oxford, MD, and the Cultural Envoy to the island nation of Antigua and Barbuda, and brings forty years of experience to the Commission.

Join us to learn about upcoming initiatives, and to hear from engaging speakers in the heritage and preservation community.

Building Trust and Engaging with Descendant Communities Workshop

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 9TH
11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
MT. CALVARY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
1236 Jones Station Road, Arnold, MD 21012

*Rescheduled!* We are looking for workshop leaders, potential descendants, and volunteers–particularly youth! Get involved with the upcoming initiatives of the Ancestral Remains Cemetery Research & Preservation Committee at this meeting. Commissioners of the MCAAHC, MHT, and staff from the MAC Lab are collaborating on a plan consistent with state regulations that will permit these remains of African Descent found in various Maryland counties to be laid to rest.

The Banneker-Douglass-Tubman Museum Renaming Ceremony & Maryland’s 160th Emancipation Day

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 1ST
12:00 PM
LIVESTREAM
Facebook and YouTube

Join us on for the unveiling of our new name, the Banneker-Douglass-Tubman Museum, for an afternoon of reflection, celebration, and forward-looking vision.  Our keynote address will be given by renowned poet, author, and activist Nikki Giovanni.

This momentous event will honor our shared history, pay tribute to the trailblazers who paved the way, and set the stage for future progress. We look forward to celebrating this historic milestone with you.

MCAAHC October 2024 Public Meeting

MONDAY, OCTOBER 7TH
11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
SEVERN LIBRARY – ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY
2624 Annapolis Road, Severn, MD 21144

The next Maryland Commission on African American History and Culture (MCAAHC) Public Meeting will be hosted by Commissioner Elinor Thompson and the Severn Improvement Association in Anne Arundel County at the Severn Library.

Guest Speaker: Auriel Mayberry-Gaballa, Severn Improvement Association: Serving Severn’s Queenstown Community since 1959

Join us to learn about upcoming commission initiatives and hear engaging speakers from the preservation and heritage community.

Sacred Spaces Community Artmaking Workshop

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 12TH
10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
BANNEKER-DOUGLASS MUSEUM
84 Franklin Street, Annapolis MD 21401

Join us for an exciting, hands-on workshop led by artist Jabari Jefferson as he shares his creative vision for the museum’s upcoming exhibit, Sacred Spaces. This interactive session provides a unique opportunity for Annapolis community members to engage directly in the art-making process. 

Participants will sort and cut materials, which Jefferson will later transform into a large-scale mixed media installation featured in the exhibit. Don’t miss this opportunity to contribute to an evolving work of art that will be featured in our 2024 exhibition!

Compass Rose Theater Production of ‘Intimate Apparel’ & Fundraiser

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 28TH
2:00 PM
COMPASS ROSE THEATER
801 Chase Street, Third Floor Annapolis MD 21401 (within Maryland Hall)

‘Amplifying and Connecting Black Women’s Stories’ is a fundraiser event in honor of the museum’s renaming. Intimate Apparel, an award-winning play written by Lynn Nottage, presented by Compass Rose Theater of Annapolis, is not to be missed! Following the show, join us for a talkback and reception with the director, Lottie E. Porch, professional actors, and leaders from the soon to be Banneker-Douglas-Tubman Museum.

Intimate Apparel by Lynn Nottage is a play set in 1905 in New York that illustrates a stark social divide contrasting with a dynamic influx of immigrants. An African American seamstress, Esther, skillfully navigates this world, crafting fine, intimate apparel for clientele from elites to the marginalized. Romance blooms through letters from Panama-based George Armstrong as the story explores independence, connection, and the impacts of deception, racism, and classism.

Building Trust and Engaging with Descendant Communities Workshop

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 28TH
11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
BRSC COMMUNITY OUTREACH CENTER
3059 Marshall Hall Road, Bryans Road, Maryland 20616

We are looking for workshop leaders, potential descendants, and volunteers–particularly youth! Get involved with the upcoming initiatives of the Ancestral Remains Cemetery Research & Preservation Committee at this meeting. Commissioners of the MCAAHC, MHT, and staff from the MAC Lab are collaborating on a plan consistent with state regulations that will permit these remains of African Descent found in various Maryland counties to be laid to rest.

Black Power & Palestine: Transnational Countries of Color

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 14TH
1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
BANNEKER-DOUGLASS MUSEUM
84 Franklin Street, Annapolis MD 21401

In collaboration with Maryland Humanities, join us for this inspiring and enlightening lecture featuring Dr. Michael Fischbach,  renowned author and expert on the intersections of the Black Power and Palestinian self-determination movements. Drawing on his extensive research, Dr. Fischbach will examine the historical ties, ideological parallels and mutual support between the movements and examine the impact of these connections on social justice movements, globally, highlighting the importance of cross-cultural solidarity and coalition building. We invite you to join us for an evening of stimulating dialogue, critical reflection, and the exploration of shared struggles for freedom and equality.

Kunta Kinte Heritage Festival

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 14TH
10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
NAVY-MARINE CORPS MEMORIAL STADIUM
84 Franklin Street, Annapolis MD 21401

Join the Banneker-Douglass Museum and the Maryland Commission on African American History and Culture in celebrating perseverance, education, and cultural heritage at the 34th Annual Kunta Kinte Heritage Festival, where we will have a booth! The Kunta Kinte Heritage Festival is a free, family-oriented cultural celebration for all to enjoy live music and dance performances, world foods and artisan vendors, as well as heritage and history of the African Diaspora.

Engaging with Descendant African American Communities

SATURDAY, AUGUST 31ST
11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF EASTERN SHORE
1324 Belmont Avenue, Suite 401, Salisbury, Maryland 21804

We are looking for workshop leaders, potential descendants, and volunteers–particularly youth! Learn about upcoming initiatives of the Ancestral Remains Cemetery Research & Preservation Committee at this first meeting. Commissioners of the MCAAHC, MHT, and staff from the MAC Lab are collaborating on a plan consistent with state regulations that will permit these remains, located at Gott Cemetery, Calvert County and Chapel Point, Charles County, of African Descent to be laid to rest.

A Day on the Bay | AAAM Conference Excursion

SATURDAY, AUGUST 17TH
11:00 AM – 4:00 PM
BANNEKER-DOUGLASS MUSEUM & ANNAPOLIS CITY DOCK
Annapolis, MD

Learn about the rich African American history of the Chesapeake Bay while indulging in a Maryland crab feast, drinks, music, and great people. Brought to you by the Maryland Commission on African American History and Culture (MCAAHC), the Association of African American Museums (AAAM), and the African American Civil Rights Network, in partnership with Blacks of the Chesapeake.

MCAAHC August 2024 Public Meeting

MONDAY, AUGUST 5TH
11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
OUR LADY OF MOUNT PROVIDENCE CONVENT
701 Gun Road, Arbutus MD 21227

The next Maryland Commission on African American History and Culture (MCAAHC) Public Meeting will be hosted by Commissioner Janice Curtis Greene and Commissioner Dr. Hakeem I. Tijani in Baltimore County at Our Lady of Mt. Providence Convent. Join us to learn about upcoming commission initiatives and hear engaging speakers from the preservation and heritage community.

REVISIT/REIMAGINE Summer Film Festival

SATURDAY, JULY 20TH
10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
BANNEKER-DOUGLASS MUSEUM
84 Franklin Street, Annapolis MD 21401

Join us in celebration of cinematic creativity during our REVISIT/REIMAGINE exhibition’s curated film festival. This event will showcase feature-length documentaries, interactive movie watching experiences, and experimental short films, all focusing on the diverse and dynamic world of art and culture.

Featured films and experiences:
🎞️ Free Breakfast Program by Shaunté Gates
| Followed by community conversation & video response

🎞️ Going To Mars: The Nikki Giovanni Project directed by Joe Brewster and Michèle Stephenson | Followed by Q&A with the directors

🎞️ The Art of Friendship: The Preservation of Tuareg Culture Through Craftsmanship directed by Darren C. Murray in collaboration with Memunah Khadar, Friend and Ambassador of Timidwa, with Mohamed El Maouloud Ag Hamid, President and Founder of Association Timidwa | Followed by Q&A with Mohamed El Maouloud Ag Hamid

🎞️ Black Mother | Blackscope Cinema: Interactive Movie Series by Diamon Fisher

🎞️ Experimental Film and Musical Experience by Bashi Rose

Revisiting the Archives: Preserving Black Histories in Maryland

THURSDAY, JUNE 27TH
1:00 PM – 2:30 PM
VIRTUAL

Join us for a virtual discussion with Baltimore-based scholars Angela N. Carroll, Deyane Moses, and Webster Phillips III. Moderated by Martina Dodd, Curator of Collections & Exhibitions of the Banneker-Douglass Museum, this conversation will explore the enduring impact of archiving Black histories, with a special focus on Maryland. We will delve into historical parallels, cultural significance, and personal reflections related to the REVISIT/REIMAGINE: The Civil Rights Era in Maryland and Parallels of Today exhibition currently on view at the Banneker-Douglass Museum.

Rhythm & Hues: A BDM Summer Block Party with Headliner Black Alley

SATURDAY, JUNE 29TH
12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
BANNEKER-DOUGLASS MUSEUM
84 Franklin Street, Annapolis, MD 21401

Get ready to groove and celebrate at the Rhythm & Hues Block Party!

Headliner: DC’s Go-Go + Rock + Trap Band, Black Alley!

Performances By: Lauren White & KaribFit

Enjoy vendors, food, community resources, yoga and mindfulness activities, an outdoor sip and paint, creative conversations with Maryland-based artists, and live performances by talented local artists.

You’ll find yourself swaying to the rhythm, feeling the energy of the crowd, and being moved by the powerful messages conveyed through art at this celebration of Black Music Appreciation Month.

AAHPP Grant Workshop

MONDAY, JUNE 3RD
2:30 PM – 4:00 PM
VIRTUAL

In-person workshops and webinars will be scheduled to inform interested parties about $5 million in available funding for capital grants. Grant awards can range from $10,000 to $250,000. Applications are now available!

Administered as a partnership between Maryland Historical Trust (MHT) and the MCAAHC, AAHPP provides grants to assist in the preservation of buildings, sites, or communities of historical and cultural importance to the African American experience in Maryland.

MCAAHC June 2024 Public Meeting

MONDAY, JUNE 3RD
11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
BANNEKER-DOUGLASS MUSEUM
84 Franklin Street, Annapolis, MD 21401

Join us for the Maryland Commission on African American History and Culture’s June 2024 Public Meeting, the final meeting of FY24. 

At this meeting, we will recognize and celebrate Chair Dr. Edwin T. Johnson for his service on the commission. Among the Commission’s meeting priorities are the election of a new chair and vice chair, and business items relevant to beginning the upcoming FY25.

Museum on the Move Youth Closing Program and Art Exhibition

SATURDAY, JUNE 1ST
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
BANNEKER-DOUGLASS MUSEUM
84 Franklin Street, Annapolis, MD 21401

Join BDM and MCAAHC for our second year of solidarity and artistic expression as we celebrate the young minds of the Robinwood Museum on the Move  youth program. Under the guidance of teaching artist Nikki Brooks and in the spirit of Maryland’s Year of Civil Rights, this event will proudly showcase an art exhibition curated by some of Annapolis’ most brilliant youth.

Keynote Speaker: Tray Chaney, Actor and Creative best known as “Poot” from HBO’s “The Wire”!

This program is a valuable partnership with the Housing Authority of the City of Annapolis and receives support from BGE and Anne Arundel County. Let’s celebrate the power of creativity and the incredible achievements of our local young artists!

Memorial Day Ceremony 2024

MONDAY, MAY 27TH
11:00 AM
LOUDON PARK NATIONAL CEMETERY
3445 Frederick Ave, Baltimore, MD 21229

Join the Baltimore National Cemetery and the Maryland Commission on African American History and Culture for the 2024 Memorial Day Ceremony. This year’s ceremony will be held on May 27th at Loudon Park National Cemetery in Baltimore City. Expect the playing of taps, guest speakers, a special guest performance, and more!

Building Trust and Engaging with Descendant Communities Workshop

SATURDAY, MAY 25TH
11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
BROOKS UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
3445 Frederick Ave, Baltimore, MD 21229

We are looking for workshop leaders, potential descendants, and volunteers–particularly youth!

Learn about upcoming initiatives of the Ancestral Remains Cemetery Research & Preservation Committee at this first meeting. Commissioners of the MCAAHC, MHT, and staff from the MAC Lab are collaborating on a plan consistent with state regulations that will permit these remains, located at Bennett’s Point, Queen Anne’s County, of African Descent to be laid to rest. This is an important and innovative project that is expected to serve as a national model for other institutions for the transfer of human remains.

Artist Talk | Death of the Heart: Stories of White Supremacy, Black Resistance, and Contextualizing our History

SATURDAY, MAY 11TH
12:00 PM – 3:00 PM
BANNEKER-DOUGLASS MUSEUM
84 Franklin Street, Annapolis, MD 21401

Join us for a powerful lecture, conversation, and archive activity led by Black history-based artist Jason Patterson and REVISIT/REIMAGINE guest curator Thomas James. This thought-provoking program will explore Patterson’s work that highlights the Civil Rights era, Black American movements nationally, as well as on Maryland’s Eastern Shore.

Immediately following the discussion, attendees will have the opportunity to engage in an interactive artifacts activity. Attendees are encouraged to participate through bringing an artifact with them to this program, such as a photograph or object that speaks to their past.

Building Trust and Engaging with Descendant Communities | An Ancestral Remains Committee Project

SATURDAY, APRIL 27TH
11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
KENNARD AFRICAN AMERICAN CULTURAL HERITAGE CENTER
410 Little Kidwell Avenue, Centreville, MD 21617

We are looking for workshop leaders, potential descendants, and volunteers–particularly youth!

Learn about upcoming initiatives of the Ancestral Remains Cemetery Research & Preservation Committee at this first meeting. Commissioners of the MCAAHC, MHT, and staff from the MAC Lab are collaborating on a plan consistent with state regulations that will permit these remains, located at Bennett’s Point, Queen Anne’s County, of African Descent to be laid to rest. This is an important and innovative project that is expected to serve as a national model for other institutions for the transfer of human remains.

AAHPP Grant Workshop

TUESDAY, APRIL 23RD
10:30 AM – 12:00 PM
VIRTUAL

In-person workshops and webinars will be scheduled to inform interested parties about $5 million in available funding for capital grants. Grant awards can range from $10,000 to $250,000. Applications are now available!

Administered as a partnership between Maryland Historical Trust (MHT) and the MCAAHC, AAHPP provides grants to assist in the preservation of buildings, sites, or communities of historical and cultural importance to the African American experience in Maryland.

Day Out at the Museum Storytime

THURSDAY, APRIL 18TH
11:00 AM
BANNEKER-DOUGLASS MUSEUM
84 Franklin Street, Annapolis, MD 21401

Join us for a fun-filled morning where stories come to life! Baltimore Read Aloud and Banneker-Douglass Museum presents Day Out at the Museum, a monthly storytime series for ages 2 to 5. Let their imaginations run wild as we dive into enchanting tales.

Expect a read aloud, interactive games, art activities, and light snacks. Pre-K classes and day care groups welcome!

Baltimore Read Aloud is an independent, woman-owned bookshop specializing in diverse books for children and the adults in their lives.

Poetry Workshop & Album Listening Party

SATURDAY, APRIL 6TH
11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
BANNEKER-DOUGLASS MUSEUM
84 Franklin Street, Annapolis, MD 21401

Designed to foster creativity and self-expression, the Poetry Response Workshop & Album Listening Party will provide a platform for participants to explore the beauty and power of poetry as we celebrate National Poetry Month. 

This workshop explores the revolutionary works of the historic Chicory magazine in partnership with Chicory Revitalization Project. Once described by Baltimore’s Afro-American newspaper as: “the most authentic microphone of black people talking ever devised”, Chicory magazine was a staple in Baltimore during the civil rights era and will provide an inspirational backdrop for this exciting workshop!

Attendees will also enjoy a listening party highlighting Gil Scott-Heron’s 1971 debut album, Pieces of a Man. Exercise your creativity and participate in penning prose inspired by Heron’s poetry and music. This activity will be led by The Needle’s Eye Academy, an Eastern Shore literary empowerment group.

Day Out at the Museum with Carole Boston Weatherford for Matthew Henson Day

SATURDAY, APRIL 6TH
10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
BANNEKER-DOUGLASS MUSEUM
84 Franklin Street, Annapolis, MD 21401

This edition of Day Out at the Museum with Baltimore Read Aloud is inspired by the life of Matthew Henson and will feature a special guest reader, award-winning author Carole Boston Weatherford. She will read her book, I, Matthew Henson: Polar Explorer and arts and crafts activities will reflect an “explorer” theme.  Carole Boston Weatherford will also be available for meet & greet with patrons where you can get your book signed!

MCAAHC April 2024
Public Meeting

MONDAY, APRIL 1ST
11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
BETHEL A.M.E. CHURCH CHESTERTOWN
237 North College Avenue, Chestertown, MD 21620

Our next Maryland Commission on African American History and Culture (MCAAHC) Public Meeting will be held on April 1st at Bethel A.M.E. Church in Chestertown. This month’s public meeting will be hosted by Commissioner Jaelon T. Moaney, and the theme will be “Black Trailblazers in the Natural World”.

Join us to learn about upcoming initiatives of the commission, and to hear from engaging speakers in the heritage and preservation community. Guest speakers to be announced.

AAHPP Grant Workshop

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 27TH
10:30 AM – 12:00 PM
BANNEKER-DOUGLASS MUSEUM
84 Franklin Street, Annapolis, MD 21401

Applications for FY25 AAHPP will be available on March 22, 2024. In preparation, in-person workshops and webinars will be scheduled to inform interested parties about $5 million in available funding for capital grants. Grant awards can range from $10,000 to $250,000!

Administered as a partnership between Maryland Historical Trust (MHT) and the MCAAHC, AAHPP provides grants to assist in the preservation of buildings, sites, or communities of historical and cultural importance to the African American experience in Maryland.

Day Out at the Museum Storytime

THURSDAY, MARCH 21ST
11:00 AM
BANNEKER-DOUGLASS MUSEUM
84 Franklin Street, Annapolis, MD 21401

Join us for a fun-filled morning where stories come to life! Baltimore Read Aloud and Banneker-Douglass Museum presents Day Out at the Museum, a monthly storytime series for ages 2 to 5. Let their imaginations run wild as we dive into enchanting tales.

Expect a read aloud, interactive games, art activities, and light snacks. Pre-K classes and day care groups welcome!

Baltimore Read Aloud is an independent, woman-owned bookshop specializing in diverse books for children and the adults in their lives.

Maryland Day Family Drop-In Activity and Special Exhibition Tour

SATURDAY, MARCH 23RD
10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
BANNEKER-DOUGLASS MUSEUM
84 Franklin Street, Annapolis, MD 21401

Join Banneker-Douglass Museum as we celebrate Maryland Day with this special Family Drop-In Day and Exhibition Tour. Attendees are invited to participate in a docent-led tour highlighting the museum’s current exhibit, REVISIT/REIMAGINE, a visual masterpiece dedicated to the Year of Civil Rights. After the tour, visitors are welcome to join us for an artistically crafted family activity led by Maryland-based artist, The Artist Oliver James. 

Spots for activities are limited, so registration is required!

Visitors can also learn how African Americans throughout Maryland made lasting changes for all Americans through the museum’s permanent exhibit, Deep Roots, Rising Waters: A Celebration of African Americans in Maryland. This exhibition provides an overview of African American history in Maryland from 1633 through the Civil Rights Era. 

Learn more at Marylandday.org!

Harriet Tubman: The Women Behind the Legacy

SATURDAY, MARCH 16TH
12:00 PM – 2:00 PM
BANNEKER-DOUGLASS MUSEUM
84 Franklin Street, Annapolis, MD 21401

We are on the way to changing our name! Join us for this historic event as we honor the life and legacy of Maryland’s native daughter, Harriet Tubman. Program highlights include live art by The Artist Oliver James, a guest performance by Janice the Griot, an African dance performance by Farafina Kan, and more. 

This year’s honorees: GirlTrek | Ernestine “Tina” Martin Wyatt | Lady Brion

Attendees will also get the chance to win a signed copy of the children’s book “Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom” by award-winning author Carole Boston Weatherford. Light refreshments will be served. You do not want to miss this as we “Turn Up for Tubman” on this very special day.

REVISIT/REIMAGINE Exhibit
Opening Reception

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 24TH
12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
BANNEKER-DOUGLASS MUSEUM
84 Franklin Street, Annapolis, MD 21401

Guest Curator: Thomas James

Join us for the opening reception of REVISIT/REIMAGINE, a multidisciplinary exhibition that features historical photographs from the AFRO American Newspapers‘ Archive in collaboration with Afro Charities that chronicle the African American experience, civil rights leaders, and activities in Maryland. Artwork from thirteen Black artists living and working in Maryland are included to interpret the themes of the photographs. Refreshments will be provided.

<< Artwork: ‘Drawings After Stills from 8mm Footage of the Chestertown Freedom Ride Protest, High street, Chestertown, Maryland, February 1962’ by Jason Patterson

String of Pearls the Musical

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 18TH
4:00 PM
MARYLAND HALL
801 Chase Street, Annapolis, MD 21401

Maryland Hall, in association with Banneker-Douglass Museum, is proud to present the jazz musical String of Pearls. This captivating musical tells the love story of Nettie and Sam, sharecroppers, who dare to preserve their love in a daring and ingenious escape from the Chikoree Wood Cotton Plantation to Washington, D.C.’s Greater U Street neighborhood. The adventures, calamities, and flashes of joy and wonder they encounter are the thread that holds them together–The String of Pearls. A panel discussion with Annapolis cultural leaders, including Dr. Edwin T. Johnson will follow the show.

Day Out at the Museum Storytime

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 15TH
11:00 AM
BANNEKER-DOUGLASS MUSEUM
84 Franklin Street, Annapolis, MD 21401

Join us for a fun-filled morning where stories come to life! Baltimore Read Aloud and Banneker-Douglass Museum presents Day Out at the Museum, a monthly storytime series for ages 2 to 5. Let their imaginations run wild as we dive into enchanting tales.

Expect a read aloud, interactive games, art activities, and light snacks. Pre-K classes and day care groups welcome!

Baltimore Read Aloud is an independent, woman-owned bookshop specializing in diverse books for children and the adults in their lives.

MCAAHC February 2024 Public Meeting

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 5TH
11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
REGINALD F. LEWIS MUSEUM
830 East Pratt Street, Baltimore, MD 21202

As we celebrate Black History Month, the February meeting will focus on the ASALH theme, African Americans and the Arts, and it will be hosted by the delegation of Baltimore City commissioners: Dr. Edwin T. Johnson, Dr. Kali-Ahset Amen, Dr. Walter “Wali” Gill, Philip J. Merrill, Dr. Brian C. Morrison, Ada Pinkston, and Wesley C. Wood.

Guest Speaker: Dayvon Love, Director of Public Policy for Leaders of a Beautiful Struggle

Join us to learn about upcoming initiatives of the commission, hear from engaging speakers in the heritage and preservation community, and network with vendors in the Baltimore Black arts cultural marketplace. 

Black Power Freedom Party & Reception: The 10 Points and Beyond

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 2ND
6:00 PM – 10:00 PM
ST. JOHN’S COLLEGE
60 College Avenue, Annapolis, MD 21401

In honor of Maryland’s Year of Civil Rights, kick off Black History Month with the Maryland Commission on African American History and Culture!

Inspired by the Black Panther Party’s 10 Point Program, join us in a grand celebration as we pay homage to the radical Black history makers of Maryland who have fearlessly challenged the status quo and left a lasting mark on social justice, art, and culture. 

Black History Month Honorees: Gov. Wes Moore & First Lady Dawn Moore, Myrtis Bedolla, Erricka Bridgeford, W. Paul Coates, Delegate Shaneka Henson, Speaker Adrienne A. Jones, and Carl Snowden.

Program highlights include:

• A curated conversation with Maryland native and NAACP Image Award-winning author, Carole Boston Weatherford
• Live music by April Sampé & Dem B-More Katz
• A special pop-up exhibit dedicated to the evening’s honorees
• Great food, and much more! 

Guaranteed to inspire activism and ignite forward-thinking conversations,  join us for an evening of honoring the past and calling to action for the present and future.

Day Out at the Museum Storytime

THURSDAY, JANUARY 18TH
11:00 AM
BANNEKER-DOUGLASS MUSEUM
84 Franklin Street, Annapolis, MD 21401

Join us for a fun-filled morning where stories come to life! Baltimore Read Aloud and Banneker-Douglass Museum presents Day Out at the Museum, a monthly storytime series for ages 2 to 5. Let their imaginations run wild as we dive into enchanting tales.

Expect a read aloud, interactive games, art activities, and light snacks. Pre-K classes and day care groups welcome!

Baltimore Read Aloud is an independent, woman-owned bookshop specializing in diverse books for children and the adults in their lives.

MLK Day Program: Let’s Create. Art as Activism!

SATURDAY, JANUARY 13TH
1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
BANNEKER-DOUGLASS MUSEUM
84 Franklin Street, Annapolis, MD 21401

Activism shows up in spaces in many different ways. Join us for a discussion with artist Oliver James as she discusses the inspiration behind her art. 

Creating pieces that address pressing social issues, sparks dialogue and inspires action, James will take us on a journey that offers insight into the transformative role that art plays in shaping history. Immediately following the discussion, audience members will be invited to participate in the creation of a civil rights mural, led by James, to be displayed at the museum. Whether you are an art enthusiast, activist or simply curious about the intersection of creativity and social change, this program is not to be missed.

<< Artwork from the Oppression Fighters series by The Artist Oliver James | Courtesy the artist