A Post-Election Call to Action

From the Maryland Commission on African American History & Culture

January 20, 2025

The Maryland Commission on African American History and Culture (MCAAHC) stands as a sentinel for preserving and advancing African American history and culture in Maryland. The recent outcome of the presidential election prompts us to reaffirm our mission and express concern about the potential threats to our initiatives under this administration. The MCAAHC recognizes the vital support we receive from Maryland’s Governor, General Assembly, and community partners and underscores the urgency of sustaining these relationships in the face of new challenges.

Our mission is to preserve Maryland’s African American heritage, promote public understanding and dialogue about African American contributions to society, and support organizations that share our objectives. The Commission operates the Banneker-Douglass-Tubman Museum (BDTM), the official African American museum for the state of Maryland, and manages the African American Heritage Preservation Program (AAHPP), which allocates millions of dollars annually toward capital improvement projects for sites of historical and cultural significance across the state. AAHPP grantmaking provides essential funding for the rescue and restoration of endangered legacies and traditions. However, our work is not only about preserving history – it is about ensuring that history reflects the diverse stories that make up the American narrative.

In recent years, national movements have pushed for a more inclusive retelling of U.S. history, shedding light on stories long obscured. The MCAAHC has contributed to this effort through groundbreaking scholarly symposia, book distribution campaigns, public outreach programs and museum exhibitions that explore African Americans’ pivotal role in shaping Maryland and the nation. Further, our Walter D. Hill Fellowship supports original historical research and encourages participation by African Americans in the field of archival science, ensuring the broad-based stewardship of collective memory in our state. As we move forward, the MCAAHC remains committed to this inclusive vision, connecting Maryland’s history to wider efforts to illuminate the African American experience within the broader American context.

However, the new administration’s alignment with Project 2025 and similar frameworks poses risks to the Commission’s educational and cultural preservation mandate and key programs. With a president-elect who has openly threatened to defund public education and diversity awareness and training efforts at the federal level, and who has supported the erasure of Black life and experience from K-12 curricula through book bans and policy changes, Marylanders must reinforce the critical role state-based agencies and civil society groups play in upholding historical truth-telling and maintaining a free society where the knowledge, cultures and traditions of marginalized communities can flourish.

Through successful partnerships with the General Assembly and the Maryland Historical Trust, the MCAAHC has also made significant gains in documenting the needs of historic African American cemeteries. These critical sites hold more than the remains of those who have gone before us; they also embody important stories, landscapes, and genealogical clues that connect descendants to their heritage. If the president-elect follows through on promises made during his first term, we are likely to witness the defunding or disbanding of publicly-funded institutions such as the Institute of Museum and Library Services, which funds our cemeteries initiative. Such actions would jeopardize ongoing efforts to preserve, research, and interpret African American burial sites and to advocate for ethical handling of ancestral remains. Similarly, the potential underfunding of the National Endowment of the Humanities and National Endowment for the Arts threatens the preservation of other types of African American historical sites, including museums, Black historic districts, and civil rights landmarks – all essential repositories of our nation’s rich heritage.

Governor Wes Moore has stated his intention to collaborate with national leadership where possible, but his administration has also committed to standing firm in protecting Maryland’s values when necessary. We acknowledge and are grateful for the steadfast support of his leadership and that of elected representatives in the General Assembly who have championed initiatives such as the renaming and renovation of the Banneker-Douglass-Tubman Museum and the proclamation of 2024 as Maryland’s Year of Civil Rights. These commitments provide hope and a blueprint for countering federal policies that may diminish support for Black studies, African American cultural institutions and economies, and diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.

How everyone can support this critical work

We implore lawmakers to maintain current funding levels for the administration of the MCAAHC, the Banneker-Douglass-Tubman Museum, and the African American Heritage Preservation Program, a vital resource that has funded over 150 projects preserving Black history and culture in Maryland. In addition, we urge the community to:

• Advocate for continued state-level support for the MCAAHC and similar initiatives.
• Engage with local representatives to prioritize funding for cultural and educational programming.
• Stand by and support the work of African American commissions in other states, especially in jurisdictions like Alabama, Kentucky, North Carolina and Arizona, where funding and public support may be at greatest risk.
• Partner with us to amplify the significance of African American history and culture amid changing political landscapes now and into the future.

The MCAAHC will remain vigilant and proactive, leveraging the support of Maryland’s leadership and the resilience of our community to navigate these uncertain times. Together, we will continue to honor and uplift African American heritage as a cornerstone of Maryland’s identity and history.

Images of the Post-Election Call to Action

For press, media, or interview requests, please contact Jan F. Lee, Director of Marketing & Communications, at jan.lee@maryland.gov.