Black history

During the Jim Crow era of forced racial segregation, Black Americans were prohibited from visiting beaches like Ocean City or Atlantic City. However, several Maryland beaches owned by the Carr family of Annapolis were getaways — known as “The Beaches” — that welcomed Black people and hosted renowned Black musicians like Billie Holiday, Count Basie and James Brown.

A recent article in the Baltimore Sun highlighted how neighborhood green spaces honor local heroes. Former residents that are memorialized with parks in their names include community activists, ambassadors, barrier-breaking politicians and other local luminaries. Many of them are people of color.