The RIDE Committee “Radiology for Inclusion, Diversity, & Ethnicity”

"Let freedom ring. And when this happens, and when we allow freedom ring—when we let it ring from every village and every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God's children—black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics—will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual: "Free at last! Free at last! Thank God Almighty, we are free at last! - Martin Luther King, Jr., “I Have A Dream” August, 28, 1963

CELEBRATING BALTIMORE’S BLACK HISTORY

Black History Month Black History Month is a remembrance of important people and events in African American history. It is celebrated annually in the United States and Canada in the month of February. Black History Month was established in 1976 by Afro-Americans for the Study of Afro-American Life and History. The month-long celebration was an expansion of Negro History Week, which was established in 1926 by Carter G. Woodson, director of what was then known as the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History. Woodson selected the week in February that embraced the birthdays of both Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln. Carter G. Woodson Carter G. Woodson Part of the aim of Black History Month is to expose the harms of racial prejudice and to cultivate black self-esteem following centuries of socio- economic oppression. It is also an opportunity to recognize significant contributions to society made by people with African heritage.

Baltimore’s African American Heritage Baltimore is a city where legends are made and legacies are born. During the 1930s and 1940s, jazz legends like Pearl Bailey, Count Basie and Duke Ellington performed at the legendary Royal Theatre on Baltimore's Pennsylvania Avenue. Baltimore-born composer and pianist Eubie Blake is honored, along with many of his colleagues, at the Eubie Blake Cultural Center on North Howard Street. All of these stories have helped shape Baltimore's, and our nation's, history. Baltimore is a city where legends are made and legacies are born. During the 1930s and 1940s, jazz legends like Pearl Bailey, Count Basie and Duke Ellington performed at the legendary Royal Theatre on Baltimore's Pennsylvania Avenue. Baltimore-born composer and pianist Eubie Blake is honored, along with many of his colleagues, at the Eubie Blake Cultural Center on North Howard Street. All of these stories have helped shape Baltimore's, and our nation's, history. Baltimore is also the proud home of the NAACP headquarters, and the birthplace of Thurgood Marshall, one of our early pioneers in the movement for civil rights. You'll also find The National Great Blacks In Wax Museum, the country's first wax museum of African American history; the Baltimore Civil War Museum, which was once a stop on the Underground Railroad; and opening early 2005, the Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History & Culture. This $33 million facility will be the East Coast's largest museum chronicling the history of African Americans and will house artifacts and exhibits covering more than 350 years of Maryland African American history and culture. Baltimore is also the proud home of the NAACP headquarters, and the birthplace of Thurgood Marshall, one of our early pioneers in the movement for civil rights. You'll also find The National Great Blacks In Wax Museum, the country's first wax museum of African American history; the Baltimore Civil War Museum, which was once a stop on the Underground Railroad; and opening early 2005, the Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History & Culture. This $33 million facility will be the East Coast's largest museum chronicling the history of African Americans and will house artifacts and exhibits covering more than 350 years of Maryland African American history and culture. Also, opening in 2005 is the Frederick Douglass-Isaac Myers Maritime Park. The park honors Frederick Douglass, considered one of the most prominent African American leaders of the 19th century, and Isaac Myers, the first black owner of a marine railway shipyard in the United States. Also, opening in 2005 is the Frederick Douglass-Isaac Myers Maritime Park. The park honors Frederick Douglass, considered one of the most prominent African American leaders of the 19th century, and Isaac Myers, the first black owner of a marine railway shipyard in the United States.

Frederick Douglass Douglass, whose original name was Frederick Augustus Bailey, was born in1817 in Talbot County, Maryland. The most prominent African American orator, journalist, and antislavery leader of the 19th century. Douglass, an escaped slave, campaigned for the end of slavery and published three versions of his autobiography. In these works he described his experiences as a slave in the South and as a fugitive in the North. He also depicted life as a free black before the American Civil War ( ) and his rise to national prominence during and after the war. In later life he continued to work for full civil rights for blacks and held several government positions.

Thurgood Marshall Thurgood Marshall, born in Baltimore in 1908, was appointed as the first black Supreme Court Justice in Marshall played an integral role in the civil rights movement in the 20th century, representing Linda Brown in the landmark Brown vs. Board of Education case and later ruling upon many important cases as a Supreme Court Justice. A statue at the U.S. Courthouse on Pratt Street in downtown Baltimore honors Baltimore's native son and great American lawyer, and a marker at 1632 Division Street marks the site of the house he grew up in.

Billie Holiday Billie HolidayBillie Holiday was born Eleanora Fagan in Baltimore in April of The well-known jazz singer's biography, Lady Sings the Blues, which chronicles her difficult childhood and her performance at Baltimore's famous Royal Theatre, was loosely translated into a popular movie starring Diana Ross and Billy Dee Williams in You can see James Earl Reid's magnificent 8 1/2 foot bronze sculpture of Billie Holiday, complete with a gardenia in her hair, on Pennsylvania Avenue in West Baltimore, directly across from Providence Baptist Church.

Kweisi Mfume Kweisi Mfume (born Frizzell Gerald Gray, October 24, 1948, in Baltimore, Maryland) is the former President/CEO of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), as well as a five-term Democratic Congressman from Maryland's 7th congressional district, serving in the 100th through 104th Congress.

Leon Day Leon Day (October 30, March 13, 1995) was an American right-handed pitcher in the Negro Leagues. He played for the Baltimore Black Sox, the Brooklyn & Newark Eagles, and the Baltimore Elite Giants. He was born in Alexandria, Virginia. Day is noted for pitching a perfect season in 1937 (13-0) while playing for the Newark Eagles, and for his fastball. Day was also a good hitter and baserunner, batting.320 in From 1935 through 1946 he appeared in a record seven East-West All-Star Games, and set an all-star record by striking out 14 batters. Also, in 1942 he set a Negro League record when he struck out 18 Baltimore batters in a single game - including Roy Campanella three times.

Kevin Clash Kevin Clash (born September 17, 1960) is an American puppeteer whose characters include Elmo, Clifford, Splinter, and Hoots the Owl. He currently serves as Sesame Street Muppet Captain and co-executive producer. In the fall of 2006, Kevin Clash released an autobiography titled My Life as a Furry Red Monster. Clash was born and raised in Turner's Station, a predominantly black suburb of Baltimore, Maryland. He attended Towson University in Towson, Maryland. Clash grew up with parents George and Gladys, older siblings George Jr. ("Georgie") and Anita ("NeNe"), and his little sister Pam. His father works as a flash welder operator at Raymond Metals and a neighborhood handyman, and his mother ran a daycare.

Robert L. Curbeam, Jr. Robert L. Curbeam, Jr. was born on March 5, 1962, in Baltimore, Maryland. He has two children. He enjoys weightlifting, backpacking and sports. He graduated from Woodlawn High School, Baltimore County, Maryland, Bachelor of science degree in aerospace engineering from the United States Naval Academy, Master of science degree in aeronautical engineering from the Naval Postgraduate School, Degree of aeronautical & astronautical engineering from the Naval Postgraduate School, 1991.

Sheila A. Dixon Sheila A. Dixon (born December 27, 1953) became the 48th Mayor of Baltimore on January 17, She holds the distinction of being the first woman ever to hold this position. For two decades in public office, Mayor Dixon has been a champion of neighborhoods and a pioneer for women and minorities. In 1987, she won a seat on the Baltimore City Council representing the 4th Council District, where she served for 12 years. In 1999, she became the first African-American woman elected as City Council President.

Vivien Thomas Vivien Theodore Thomas (August 29, 1910 – November 26, 1985) was an African-American surgical technician who helped develop the procedures used to treat blue baby syndrome in the 1940s. He was an assistant to Alfred Blalock at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee and later at the Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland. Without any education past high school, Thomas rose above poverty and racism to become a cardiac surgery pioneer and a teacher to many of the country's most prominent surgeons.

ST. FRANCIS XAVIER CHURCH St. Francis Xavier Church in East Baltimore was the first Catholic Church in the United States officially established for Negroes. The church was purchased on October 10, 1863 and dedicated February 21, 1864, with a group of Black San Domingo refugees, who were Catholic, and the Sulpician Fathers, who had fled the French Revolution and settled in Baltimore.

The Afro-American Newspaper In 1892, The Afro-American Newspaper was founded by a former slave freed by the Emancipation Proclamation, John H. Murphy, Sr. He purchased the printing equipment at a public auction for $200 and used it to begin publishing his own newspaper, focusing mainly on church events. In 1900 it merged with other church bulletins to form one periodical. By 1922 the newspaper had evolved from the church bulletin it had been into the most widely circulated black newspaper along the eastern coast.The Afro-American Newspaper

The National Great Blacks in Wax Museum In 1983, Dr. Elmer and Joanne Martin founded the Great Blacks in Wax Museum in downtown Baltimore with 21 wax figures and the help of good friends. What started when they purchased four wax figures with money they’d saved to make a down payment on a house, they began their journey by traveling with their figures and setting up exhibits in schools, shopping malls, churches and everywhere else they were allowed to set up. In 1988, they opened a 10,000 square foot facility on North Avenue, making their mark in Black History by paying tribute with over 100 life-sized and life- like wax figures and scenes, including Malcolm X, Sojourner Truth, Langston Hughes and a full scale model of a slave ship.

NAACP National Association for the Advancement of Colored People In 1986, the NAACP, founded in 1909 and the nation’s oldest and largest civil rights organizations, moved its national headquarters to Baltimore. From the ballot box to the classroom, the dedicated workers, organizers, and leaders who forged this great organization and maintain its status as a champion of social justice, fought long and hard to ensure that the voices of African Americans would be heard. For nearly one hundred years, it has been the talent and tenacity of NAACP members that has saved lives and changed many negative aspects of American society.

The Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History The Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History and Culture, designed by Freelon/RTKL joint-venture, is located on a narrow site near Baltimore's Inner Harbor. It houses a 15,000 square foot permanent exhibit, a multi-purpose auditorium, visiting exhibition gallery, classrooms and educational facilities.

Historically Black Colleges and Universities in Baltimore

Famous faces born in Baltimore Jada Pinkett-Smith Tracie Thoms Nicole Ari Parker Charles S. Dutton Montell Williams

Did you know… Maryland is home to 69,410 black-owned firms, sixth in the country. And Baltimore ranked ninth among U.S. cities, with 9,764 black-owned businesses, according to the survey from the Census Bureau. Maryland is home to 69,410 black-owned firms, sixth in the country. And Baltimore ranked ninth among U.S. cities, with 9,764 black-owned businesses, according to the survey from the Census Bureau. Peale Museum, located at 225 Holiday Street, is the oldest museum building in the Western Hemisphere. In a time when collections were displayed only for the elite, the Peale Museum was open to everyone. Built in 1814 by Rembrandt Peale, an artist best known for his portrait of George Washington which still hangs in the U.S. Capitol, it was the also home to the first free public school for black children. Peale Museum, located at 225 Holiday Street, is the oldest museum building in the Western Hemisphere. In a time when collections were displayed only for the elite, the Peale Museum was open to everyone. Built in 1814 by Rembrandt Peale, an artist best known for his portrait of George Washington which still hangs in the U.S. Capitol, it was the also home to the first free public school for black children. In 1825, former slave Truman Pratt founded the Orchard Street Church, which is now home to the Greater Baltimore Urban League (founded in 1924). It is said that a passageway in the church lead to a sub-basement three floors below that revealed a portion of an underground tunnel, suggesting that the church was a stop along the underground railroad. In 1825, former slave Truman Pratt founded the Orchard Street Church, which is now home to the Greater Baltimore Urban League (founded in 1924). It is said that a passageway in the church lead to a sub-basement three floors below that revealed a portion of an underground tunnel, suggesting that the church was a stop along the underground railroad. Established in 1888, Saint Peter Claver Roman Catholic Church stood as the first church in the world dedicated to Saint Peter Claver, the apostle for the slaves. The church still stands at the corner of Pennsylvania Avenue and North Freemont. The oldest private African American school still in existence is associated with this church. Established in 1888, Saint Peter Claver Roman Catholic Church stood as the first church in the world dedicated to Saint Peter Claver, the apostle for the slaves. The church still stands at the corner of Pennsylvania Avenue and North Freemont. The oldest private African American school still in existence is associated with this church. Liberty Medical Center, currently found at 1600 Liberty Heights Avenue, was first named Provident Hospital and built in 1894 to provide both medical treatment and training for black nurses and doctors. Liberty Medical Center, currently found at 1600 Liberty Heights Avenue, was first named Provident Hospital and built in 1894 to provide both medical treatment and training for black nurses and doctors. In 1912, the first social club for African American's on the east coast was formed and The Arch Social Club lounge and restaurant still regularly features jazz music. It is Baltimore's oldest African American social club. In 1912, the first social club for African American's on the east coast was formed and The Arch Social Club lounge and restaurant still regularly features jazz music. It is Baltimore's oldest African American social club.

With an almost endless amount of museums, churches, monuments, statues, tours, etc., Baltimore continues its homage to black history and the people and events that made an impact on the city and nation.