An impressive, but small Gothic Revival building on Franklin Street holds hundreds of years of history within its walls. Since its dedication in 1984, the Banneker-Douglass Museum (BDM) has preserved and shared Black history and culture in new and innovative ways by collaborating with its community. And, this year was no different, only even more inspiring.

Recognizing the need to educate and engage Anne Arundel County residents of all ages regarding history and impact of the Black vote, and recognizing BDM’s role in healing a fractured and isolated community during an historic pandemic, a racial justice movement, and political divisiveness, BDM made a significant, positive impact in our county, said nominator and volunteer Margaret B. Davis. It brought the community together through the Black Vote Mural Project (BVMP), community collaborations, and programming involving 10 organizations, 50 artists, and more than 4,000 participants. The 2019-planned exhibit created public art inside the museum’s walls. Then, responding to the pandemic and historic social issues starting in March, BDM rapidly changed course and created new opportunities, outside the museum’s walls, that engaged, educated, and inspired diverse audiences throughout Anne Arundel County and beyond.    

“BDM did this under the extraordinary leadership and unparalleled initiative of Chanel Compton, Executive Director, and her tiny staff team of four,” said Davis. “In spite of overwhelming social issues, when most arts organizations were shuttered, Chanel immediately pivoted programming and rallied partners for the access and benefit of our community. BDM partnered to address an education, engagement, and racial problem that  could not have been solved as effectively by any single organization.”  

For example, the Black Vote Mural Project features 17 local artists who explore the intersection of public art, Black voices, and civil rights with sixteen murals that transform the museum’s interior galleries and the centerpiece of in-person, virtual, community-based programs; the Breonna Taylor Mural Project; Youth Conference; and a symposium. The BVMP virtual program series included an artist panel discussion, anti-racism teacher training, and virtual events and attracted more than 4,000 participants. All programs were free and open to the public, and since March were delivered via Zoom.  

As part of BDM’s outreach, they collaborated with Future History Now to support the 7,000 square foot Breonna Taylor Mural Project at Chambers Park in Annapolis. BDM worked with county and city officials on the mural location and coordinated fundraising, marketing, audience outreach, volunteer recruitment, and hospitality for the two-day event in Anne Arundel County.  

“Through its innovative community collaborations, Banneker-Douglass Museum is both a Black history education and preservation organization and a strong Anne Arundel County-based platform for social justice reaching far beyond its walls to residents of all ages,” said Davis.