The 8th annual “Lynching in Maryland” conference will return to Baltimore on Oct. 25 at the Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History and Culture.
The program, presented by the Maryland Lynching Memorial Project (MLMP), is a full day of presentations and discussions with experts, thought leaders, and artists, examining the legacy of lynching in Maryland. This form of racial terror had and has lasting effects, and the MLMP’s “Lynching in Maryland” conference is part of the effort to confront that truth as a step towards healing and reconciliation.
The conference is open to the public and recommended for members of all communities. In-person and virtual attendance are available. On-site attendees will have morning refreshments and lunch, access to book sales and signings by speakers, the “Lynching in Maryland” museum exhibit, and more.
“This conference is an important part of the mission of the Maryland Lynching Memorial Project because it provides us the space to explore the truths of our collective histories, and to work towards understanding,” said Amy Millin, president of the Maryland Lynching Memorial Project, in a statement. “This year’s conference is an opportunity to engage in those hard histories, especially during a time when we, the American public, are being threatened for speaking up and speaking out. In the act of coming together, we continue the critical work of expanding our knowledge, engaging in conversation, and building bridges.”
The Maryland Lynching Memorial Project is volunteer-powered and grassroots. It documents, memorializes, and reckons with the history of racial terror lynchings in Maryland. Founded in 2018, MLMP uses rigorous research, public education, and community engagement to honor the victims of lynching. It supports the communities impacted by the resulting and residual trauma and encourages a truthful understanding of Maryland’s racial history.
“This year’s conference coincides with the submission of the Maryland Lynching Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s final report to the General Assembly and Governor Moore,” said Nicholas Creary, vice president of the Maryland Lynching Memorial Project and commissioner on the Maryland Lynching Truth and Reconciliation Commission, in a statement. “In addition to the wide range of cutting-edge speakers, participants will have an opportunity to learn about the Commission’s recommendations for reparations.”
“Now, more than ever, in light of the current administration’s efforts to: erase African American history; eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion work and equal opportunities for historically and intentionally underrepresented people; and turn the clock back—the conference stands as a beacon of light and hope in the impending darkness,” Creary said. “Truth first!”
Some of the programming for the conference includes speakers like Judge Margaret Burnham, a famed civil and human rights attorney and former judge, who will discuss the past and difficulty memorializing it. Mother and son collaborators Carole Boston Weatherford (author) and Jeffrey Boston Weatherford (illustrator) will talk about their 2024 book, “Kin: Rooted in Hope”.
Dr. Stacey Patton, a journalist, author, child advocate, and research associate for the Institute for Urban Research at Morgan State University, will speak on the lynching of children in America and its roots in Europe. Creary and Michelle Coles, JD will offer a preview of the Maryland Lynching Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s report they will be presenting to Gov. Wes Moore in December. There will be a meditation session highlighting self-care, community building, time to explore the museum, and other programming.
The “Lynching in Maryland” conference takes place on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tickets are $40 for both in-person and virtual attendance.
The Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History and Culture is located at 830 E. Pratt St. in Baltimore.
For information on registration, speaker bios, and a detailed conference schedule, visit the MLMP Conference website.
