A Day of Acknowledgement: Confronting the Legacy of Slavery

On Saturday, November 22, 2025, Anne Arundel County hosted “A Day of Acknowledgement: Confronting the Legacy of Slavery” which resulted in a formal apology from County Executive Steuart Pittman on behalf of Anne Arundel County Government for its role in the institution of slavery and its profound, lasting impact on Black communities.

The morning program focused on a historical overview of precolonial life, the lives of enslaved individuals, emancipation, and the legacy of slavery in Anne Arundel County. This portion was hosted by Chris Haley, Director of the Study of the Legacy of Slavery in Maryland for the Maryland State Archives, and featured reflections from community leaders.

The historical overview was followed by remarks from Carl Snowden, Convener of the Caucus of African American Leaders, who shared why the organization requested this apology from the county government. Mr. Snowden introduced County Executive Pittman, who reflected on his own family history and issued a formal apology on behalf of Anne Arundel County Government. The county’s apology will be added to the collection of exhibits at the Banneker-Douglass-Tubman Museum in Annapolis.

In partnership with the Maryland State Archives, the Banneker-Douglass-Tubman Museum, and Lyndra Marshall the event featured visiting exhibits for attendees to continue to learn about our local history, including the Sesquicentennial 1864 Maryland Slave Emancipation Quilt, Lord Ligonier Advertisement, Portrait of Charity Folks Bishop (1793-1877, c. 1850), and “Flee! Stories of Flight from Maryland.”

Following the morning program, two discussions were held in the afternoon to turn the focus towards repair and reconciliation. First, a panel discussion entitled “Opportunities Now!” highlighted existing local programs that are designed to address disparities in wealth and education. This was followed by “A Conversation About Reparations” with Dr. Andre M. Perry, Senior Fellow and Director at the Brookings Institution.

Three-part presentation from Anne Arundel County's A Day of Acknowledgement: Confronting the Legacy of Slavery, which was held on November 22, 2025.