Celebrating Black History Month

Photo Credit: Maryland State Archives

This week we begin the Celebration of Black History Month. Also this week, Maryland’s environmental community gathered for its annual Environmental Legislative Summit featuring Dr. Kandis Boyd, the new head of the Chesapeake Bay Program, who gave an energizing keynote speech and a call for us to work together across the watershed. The following day, newly inaugurated Governor Wes Moore delivered a historic speech from the State Capitol Building, inspiring and encouraging us all to serve Maryland. A few weeks ago, Serena Mcilwain, was nominated to serve as Secretary of the Maryland Department of Environment. Attorney General Anthony Brown and Treasurer Derek Davis also have significant responsibilities to ensure public health and environmental protection for all. These leaders of color are all firsts in their new roles and we could not possibly be more excited about the future and the milestones we have reached, though all much too long in coming.

This February as we focus on Black History we recognize the enormous legacy of Black people who made our environmental culture in Maryland so strong. At the same time, we remain urgently committed to do better and continue to reflect, learn and act on the reasons for environmental injustice and the need for environmental and social justice.  

Some of the best trash and litter data available comes from the International Coastal Cleanup Day conducted nationally in the fall. Beaches are a natural focus for litter cleanups both because they are marine litter "catchers" and places where we recreate. The Blacks of the Chesapeake Foundation recently announced Elktonia Beach, more popularly known as Carr’s Beach, the remaining parcel of the Black beaches once owned by the Carr family of Annapolis, and the site of many concerts featuring stars like Chuck Berry and Cab Calloway, will become a City Heritage Park, the culmination of 15 years of work. The new waterfront park will provide lots of outdoor recreation opportunities and educate park visitors about the “rich heritage of Elktonia Beach offering safe harbor, recreation and entertainment opportunities for African-Americans during segregation.” Trash Free Maryland works to make sure treasured places like this are free of litter and trash.  If you are able, you can support the Blacks of the Chesapeake Foundation and their projects at the beach to make sure young people can learn more about this important history, just one of many ways to celebrate Black History Month!