Baltimore and the Civil Rights Movement

In all aspects of life, from politics and education to religion and business, the Black Baltimore community has been a leader for civil rights. From the 19th century until the 1970s, Baltimore has been at the forefront of various civil rights movements. Black Baltimoreans helped establish the Niagara Movement, the precursor to the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), and had one of the most active NAACP branches, counting among its members pastors, politicians, entrepreneurs, educators, athletes, musicians, and others. Meritorious services were rendered by Rev. Harvey Johnson; William Ashbie Hawkins; Lillie Carroll Jackson; Lillie’s daughter Juanita Jackson Mitchell; Juanita’s husband, Clarence Maurice Mitchell Jr.; Walter Thomas Dixon; Enolia McMillan; Lena King Lee; and countless others who created a proud legacy of activism in the Monumental City.