Maryland’s First Black Governor Sworn In

 In a pride imbued and sometimes emotionally charged historic ceremony, Wes Moore is sworn in as the state of Maryland’s 63rd and first Black governor. The event took place in Annapolis, the state’s capital  near a site that once served as a slave port. 

The program included an acceptance speech by his South Asian immigrant female running mate, Lieutenant Governor elect Aruna Miller and a special song selection “God Bless America” performed  by HBCU Morgan State University’s choir. Wes Moore is one among three Black governors elected in the nation, including Governor Deval Patrick (2007) Democrat of Massachusetts and L. Douglas Wilder, (1989) Democrat of Virginia. He is the first elected Black Governor of the state of Maryland and one of six black governors to serve in this country as a Governor. Two had already served his state as Lieutenant Governors during the Reconstruction period.

Wes Moore was sworn in with his hand placed atop a Bible once owned by historic freedom fighter and famous SlaveryAbolitionist Frederick Douglas. Frederick Douglass’ historic family home as well as slave ports were also located in Annapolis not too far away from where the newly elected Governor was sworn in, only heightening the spiritual and historic significance of the occasion. The Douglass family home is in a quiet coastal and storied upscale neighborhood on Highland Beach, Annapolis. A stately yet humble abode,  visitors have had the surreal privilege of walking by the house in respectful honor and awe.

Congratulations to Governor Wes Moore and his lovely family, and the voters of Maryland. Your family will now occupy a home where former governors promoted Jim Crow laws and upheld the slave trade. You will also occupy a house that is surrounded in history: a statue of Kunte Kinte,Alex Haley’s character of Roots fame just a few blocks away, a statue of Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall among others. In  the words of  Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. whose birthday we celebrated just a few days ago, “the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice.” Corresponding scripture for today’s post is Amos 5:24-But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.

Our ancestors-many of the faceless and nameless slaves -traded like chattel in the state of Maryland slave ports centuries ago, as well as civil rights leaders like Dr. Martin Luther King, Mr.Frederick Douglass and Rosa Parks would all be both proud and satisfied with this development. They are smiling from heaven.

Again, congratulations Governor Wes Moore and family. You stand upon the shoulders of greats.

The prayerful and a ‘cloud of witnesses’ will be fervently praying for you, your administration, the people of Maryland and the continued triumph of your leadership. God bless you.

Respectfully,

Rev. Cynthia D. Wilson, Blog Founder and Chief Editor

Black History Month Celebration Day 9- Mother Rosa Parks

 

Today’s blog update includes a video podcast episode below.

Today’s Black History Month Celebration honors memories of Civil Rights icon Rosa Parks whose birthday was recently celebrated. Detroit Pistons honored her by partnering with the Rosa Parks Estate to provide free bus transportation to Detroiters on February 4 and February 7. They also provided free jackets to Detroit’s transportation department.

I am sharing with you both a collage of selected photos as well as single photographs from my archive database that I snapped or that were taken with my camera at several community events, including Living Stones/Imani Day programs held at Calvary Baptist church and Ms. Park’s 100th birthday celebration and postage stamp unveiling held at the Charles Wright Museum of African American History. 

 Many of us in the community have had the opportunity to participate in events and activities involving Mother Parks over the years because of her commitment to reaching out to churches, schools and neighborhood organizations through the Rosa and Raymond Parks Institute for Self- Development’s Pathways to Freedom Program, Imani Day Interfaith celebrations and the Parks Legacy Program. I am blessed and consider myself fortunate to have had the opportunity to not only interact with Mrs. Parks, but also to have Co-Chaired both the Imani Day and Living Stone events held at Calvary Baptist church in her honor when I served as an Assistant Minister there.

Thanks to all who contributed in their own way to the historic significance of all programs. A special thanks to Michael Joseph (not pictured)who served as videographer of all of Calvary’s Imani Day and Living Stones programs circa 1995-2000.

All photos are captioned.

Blessings,

Cynthia Wilson