Black History Month: The Impact of Black Educators in Maryland and Beyond
As we celebrate Black History Month, MILE proudly recognizes the invaluable contributions of Black educators in Maryland, across the U.S., and beyond. The history of Black education in Maryland is a testament to resilience, determination, and the relentless pursuit of knowledge despite systemic barriers.
Below is an overview of key events, figures, and institutions that shaped Black education in Maryland.
Early Efforts (18th – Early 19th Century)
Illegal Education & Underground Schools: Before the Civil War, it was illegal in many parts of Maryland for Black individuals, enslaved or free, to receive an education. However, Black educators and religious leaders secretly taught literacy in churches, homes, and clandestine schools.
Bethel School (1812): One of the first recorded schools for Black students in Baltimore was established by the Bethel African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church, emphasizing religious and academic instruction.
Post-Civil War & Reconstruction (1865 – 1900)
Freedmen’s Bureau Schools: After the Civil War, the Freedmen’s Bureau, with the help of Black educators and northern philanthropists, established schools for newly freed African Americans. Black teachers like Frances Ellen Watkins Harper and Rev. Harvey Johnson played key roles in expanding education.
Baltimore Colored High School (1883): Later known as Frederick Douglass High School, it was Maryland’s first public high school for Black students. Notable Black educators helped build the curriculum and uplift students.
Segregation & Growth of Black Schools (1900 – 1954)
Morgan College (1867): Founded as the Centenary Biblical Institute by Black educators and church leaders, Morgan State University became a major institution for training Black teachers and leaders in Maryland.
Maryland Normal and Industrial School (1917): Now Bowie State University, it was founded to train Black teachers, playing a critical role in the development of Black education across Maryland.
Role of Black Teachers: Despite underfunding, Black educators continued to serve as community leaders, mentors, and activists for better schooling conditions.
Desegregation & Civil Rights Era (1954 – 1970s)
Brown v. Board of Education (1954): This Supreme Court ruling led to the slow desegregation of Maryland schools. However, Black educators had to fight for equal employment and resources.
NAACP & Local Activism: Educators like Juanita Jackson Mitchell and Lillie Carroll Jackson, through the NAACP, pushed for equal education rights.
Merger of Schools: Many Black schools were closed as desegregation took place, sometimes at the cost of displacing Black educators from leadership roles.
Modern Contributions & Legacy (1980s – Present)
HBCUs in Maryland: Morgan State, Bowie State, Coppin State, and the University of Maryland Eastern Shore continue to educate and train Black educators.
Advocacy for Equity in Education: Black educators in Maryland remain at the forefront of pushing for funding equity, culturally relevant curriculum, and addressing racial disparities in public schools.
From the underground schools of the 18th and 19th centuries to the pioneering efforts of educators who established institutions like Morgan State University and Bowie State University, Black educators have been at the forefront of shaping equitable education. They have fought for access, inclusion, and excellence, leaving a legacy that continues to inspire today.
