Hogan Proclaims February as Black History Month in Maryland

Thurgood Marshall Statue on Lawyers Mall in Annapolis, unveiled Dec. 2020 after being away due to construction. Via Office of the Governor’s Flickr, taken 12/17/2020.

In a proclamation Monday, Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan recognized Feb. 2021 as Black History Month in the state.

“When we celebrate Maryland’s Black history, we celebrate the shared history of all Americans’ injustice, freedom and equality,” Hogan said in a video on the first day of the month. He announced that Maryland is partnering with the Banneker-Douglass Museum in Annapolis and Rev. Tamara Wilson, Chair of the Maryland Commission on African American History and Culture, to highlight iconic Black Marylanders in history. Wilson said to learn more about the state’s Black history, residents should visit the Banneker-Douglass Museum website.

“Throughout history, Black Marylanders have taught us some of the fundamental principles of what it means to be American,” Hogan said. He referenced figures like Mathias de Sousa, the state’s first Black legislator and Frederick Douglass, who became an abolitionist leader after escaping slavery in Maryland. Hogan commended Lt. Gov. Boyd Rutherford for his public service, as well as late-U.S. Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-MD. 07), who passed away in 2019.

“United States Representative Elijah Cummings taught us unity as a fearless leader. He was known for working across the aisle to ensure legislation that supported an equitable future for all Americans,” Hogan said.

Wilson said, “Speaker Adrienne Jones teaches us the power of true diversity. She continues to break new ground as the first African American and first female speaker in Maryland state history.” She said Thurgood Marshall, the nation’s first Black Supreme Court Justice, challenged segregation and paved the way for civil rights.

“Our history provides the blueprint for how we can protect and preserve justice and freedom for all Americans.”

I have issued a proclamation recognizing February as #BlackHistoryMonth in Maryland. We’re proud to partner with the Banneker-Douglass Museum to highlight the invaluable contributions of Black Marylanders to our state’s history and heritage: pic.twitter.com/nISfrXynKN

— Governor Larry Hogan (@GovLarryHogan) February 1, 2021

About Maryam Shahzad

Maryam is a reporter with Montgomery Community Media. She graduated from the University of Maryland in 2019 with a bachelor's degree in broadcast journalism. Previously, she was an intern with MCM. She can be reached at mshahzad@mymcmedia.org or on Twitter @maryam_mcm.

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