
Photography by Stephen Buchanan and courtesy Comacell Brown
At the Westin Hotel complex at Westgate Circle in Annapolis, the recently painted Carr’s Beach murals highlight important figures and the site where Black Annapolitans relaxed, had fun, and enjoyed performances by famous Black artists throughout a large part of the 1900s.
ANNAPOLIS, MD - To mark Black History Month, the City of Annapolis will host a four-week speaker series, “The State of Black Annapolis,” in partnership with the Michael E. Busch Public Library (1410 West Street, Annapolis). The speaker series, organized by the Mayor’s Office African-American Outreach Team, is now in its fourth year and will run in conjunction with a range of other events and programs to be delivered during February.
The speaker series will feature local experts and historians on topics that relate to African-American culture and life in Maryland’s state capital. The program seeks to highlight aspects of our history that are not always well-known, and the enduring contribution of African-American residents, past and present. The content is suitable for all ages. Families are encouraged to participate.
The series will be held in the main meeting room of the Library from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. every Tuesday in February. The topics for the weekly programs include:
- February 4: The Cost of Free Labor in Colonial Annapolis and the Intersection of the Free Black Community
- February 11: How to build a Black Art District in Annapolis
- February 18: The Other Annapolis: A Modern Perspective
- February 25: The Foundation Builders: A celebration of Black educators, elected officials, entertainers, and entrepreneurs.
Each week, a free dinner will be provided by Black-owned catering companies from the Annapolis area. Each event is free and open to the public
For more information, contact Adetola Ajayi, aoajayi@annapolis.gov.