Situated in Maryland’s northeastern corner and sharing a twenty-four-mile border with Pennsylvania, Cecil County occupied a pivotal position between slavery and freedom in the antebellum era. Its railroads, rivers, canals, and roads made the county a natural crossroads for enslaved people moving north across the upper Chesapeake in search of liberty. Well-known figures such as…
Category: African American History
Filmmakers Uncover the History of African American Schools
NORTH EAST – February 22, 2025 — “Blackboards and Barriers,” a powerful new documentary that has been three years in the making, has captivated audiences across Cecil County with screenings at various venues this week. This nearly hour-long movie delves into the rich history of African American schools here, featuring interviews with former students, carefully…
Collision on Route 40: New Delaware Humanities Talk
I am pleased to announce that Delaware Humanities has selected my new talk, “Collision on Route 40: Cold War Tensions & Civil Rights,” for inclusion in the 2024-25 Speakers Bureau and Visiting Scholars program. This presentation delves into the unexpected role that Route 40, stretching across Delaware and Maryland, played as a battleground for Cold…
Eastern Shore Church Added to National Underground Railroad Network
In recent months, I have worked with national, state, and local stakeholders to meticulously research and write nomination reports for sites to be included in the National Park Service (NPS) National Network to Freedom. This network highlights the courageous acts of resistance against enslavement through escape and flight on the Underground Railroad. These comprehensive applications…