Maryland Humanities

Book Discussion
2025-11-05 11:00 - 12:00 (America/New_York) | Cecil County Public Library, Elkton Branch, 301 Newark Avenue, Elkton, MD, 21921, United States
Join us to discuss this year’s Maryland Humanities One Maryland One Book selection, Kin: Rooted in Hope
by Carole Boston Weatherford.

Harford Community College Book Discussion
2025-11-05 14:30 - 15:30 | Harford Community College, 401 Thomas Run Road, Bel Air, MD, 21015, United States
Join in to discuss this year’s One Maryland One Book selection, “Kin: Rooted in Hope”, by Carole Boston Weatherford with art by Jeffery Boston Weatherford. This book discussion will be held on the campus of HCC in Edgewood Hall, Room 132. It will be led by an HCC Librarian with a short presentation by HCC Professor and Director of the Harford Civil Rights Projects, Dr. James Karmel. Free copies of the 2025 OMOB selection will be available this summer at the Harford Community College Library, while supplies last. Light refreshments will be served. One Maryland One Book is a program of Maryland Humanities. This project was made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services and the Maryland State Library.

Hereford Book Club: One Maryland One Book
2025-11-06 10:00 - 11:00 | Baltimore County Public Library, Hereford Branch, 16940 York Road, Hereford, MD, 21111, United States
Join us for a lively discussion of Kin: Rooted in Hope by Carole Boston Weatherford. A limited number of free books available. One Maryland One Book is a program of Maryland Humanities and the Maryland Center for the Book, sponsored by The Institute of Museum and Library Services via the Maryland State Library Agency.

Teen Advisory Board (TAB) Meeting
2025-11-06 16:00 - 17:30 | Montgomery County Public Libraries, Quince Orchard Library, 15831 Quince Orchard Road, Gaithersburg, MD, 20878, United States
Teens are invited to join the Quince Orchard Library’s TAB group as they discuss this year’s One Maryland One Book, Kin Rooted in Hope by Carole Boston Weatherford.

Cockeysville Book Club: One Maryland One Book
2025-11-06 18:30 - 19:30 | Baltimore County Public Library, Cockeysville Branch, 9833 Greenside Drive, Cockeysville, MD, 21030, United States
Title is the title of your event. Example: Owings Mills Book Club
Subtitle: One Maryland One Book
Short desc: whatever you usually use
Long desc: must include this sentence: One Maryland One Book is a program of Maryland Humanities and the Maryland Center for the Book, sponsored by The Institute of Museum and Library Services via the Maryland State Library Agency.

Chevy Chase Parent-Child Book Club
2025-11-06 18:30 - 19:30 | Montgomery County Public Libraries, Chevy Chase Library, 8005 Connecticut Avenue, Chevy Chase, MD, 20815, United States
Parents & Children are invited to sign-up together to discuss this year’s One Maryland One Book, Kin Rooted in Hope by Carole Boston Weatherford

Book Discussion
2025-11-13 17:30 - 18:30 | Enoch Pratt Free Library, Waverly Branch, 400 E. 33rd Street, Baltimore, MD, 21218, United States

Book Discussion
2025-11-15 11:00 - 12:00 | Enoch Pratt Free Library, Central Branch, 400 Cathedral Street, Baltimore, MD, 21201, United States

Book Discussion: One Maryland One Book - Kin
2025-11-15 14:00 - 15:00 | Prince George’s County Memorial Library System, Largo-Kettering Branch, 9601 Capital Lane, Largo, MD, 20774, United States
Join a thoughtful conversation about the 2025 One Maryland One Book selection: “Kin: Rooted in Hope” by Carole Boston Weatherford and illustrated by Jeffery Boston Weatherford. Share your insights, hear different perspectives, and connect with fellow readers.

Twinbrook Book Discussion Group
2025-11-20 18:30 - 19:30 | Montgomery County Public Libraries, Twinbrook Library, 202 Meadow Hall Drive, Rockville, MD, 20851, United States
We invite you to join us for an online discussion of this year’s One Maryland One Book, Kin Rooted in Hope by Carole Boston Weatherford.

OMOB Special Teen Book Discussion
2025-12-10 18:00 - 20:00 | MD
We invite Teens to join us for a special, one-time, in-person discussion of this year’s One Maryland One Book, Kin Rooted in Hope by Carole Boston Weatherford.

Lunch with Lindsey
2025-12-11 12:30 - 13:30 | MD
Gain behind-the-scenes access to Maryland Humanities at Lunch with Lindsey, our revived virtual series.

On December 11th at 12:30pm, CEO Lindsey Baker will spend her lunch hour chatting about the transformative power of nonprofit generosity, our grantmaking program SHINE, and highlighting a few of its 2026 recipients. Registration is free but required: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/4ZKk0H8FR3SyNJF-9vaNJw

African American Authors Book Club
2025-12-28 15:00 - 17:00 | Montgomery County Public Libraries, Germantown Library, 19840 Century Boulevard, Germantown, MD, 20874, United States
Join Germantown Library’s African American Authors Book Club as we discuss this year’s One Maryland One Book, Kin Rooted in Hope by Carole Boston Weatherford.

RHN Capacity Building Workshop: "Welcoming Visitors Who Are Blind Or Have Low Vision"
2026-01-22 14:00 - 15:30 | MD
Join Cheryl Fogle-Hatch, Ph.D., founder of MuseumSenses LLC, for a presentation designed to help staff and volunteers better welcome visitors who are blind or have low vision.

This session covers guiding techniques and practical strategies for giving effective verbal descriptions. Attendees will learn how to communicate clearly, offer assistance appropriately, and create an inclusive environment that celebrates the diverse needs and preferences of all guests.This workshop is free, but registration is required.

Questions or want more information? Email Rob Forloney, Partnerships Officer, at rforloney@mdhumanities.org.

Montgomery County Community Book Discussion Group
2026-01-22 19:00 - 20:00 | Montgomery County Public Libraries, Rockville Memorial Library, 21 Maryland Avenue, Rockville, MD, 20850, United States
We invite you to join us, in-person or online, for a hybrid discussion of this year’s One Maryland One Book, Kin Rooted in Hope by Carole Boston Weatherford.

Revolution, Reaction, and Reform: From Maryland's Past to Our Shared Future | Accokeek Foundation
2026-01-24 11:00 - 15:00 | Accokeek Foundation, 3400 Bryan Point Rd, Accokeek, Maryland, 20607, United States
To mark the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, Maryland Humanities is joining the national initiative, By the People: Conversations Beyond 250.

By the People: Conversations Beyond 250 is a series of community-driven programs created by humanities councils in collaboration with local partners. The initiative was developed by the Federation of State Humanities Councils and the Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage.

We’re celebrating the richness of Maryland’s history, community, and voices by hosting Revolution, Reaction, and Reform: From Maryland’s Past to Our Shared Future, a series of six community gatherings marking Maryland’s 250th anniversary by exploring three powerful themes that move from remembering our history to reimagining our future.

Our first gathering, “Reimagining Revolution,” will take place on Saturday, January 24, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Accokeek Foundation. This workshop invites participants to reflect on the past, connect with the present, and consider future possibilities through engaging discussions and hands-on activities. The session will explore ideas and movements that have shaped our region and nation, highlighting diverse voices and perspectives.

During this session, attendees will:

Learn about Reimagine Accokeek, a five‑year, community-driven initiative shaping a shared vision for the Accokeek Foundation’s future

Learn about community partnerships and regional projects supporting cultural stewardship

Hear from a Piscataway tribal leader about the American Indian Movement and its role in the Piscataway Resurgence

Connect with the Southern Maryland National Heritage Area to understand Southern Maryland’s national significance.

Space is limited to 30 participants, and registration is required.

RHN Capacity Building Workshop: "Intellectual Property for Artists and Creatives"
2026-02-05 14:00 - 15:30 | MD
This session will cover what copyright, trademark, and patent is (and isn’t), how and when protection begins, what rights you hold, and how to register your work. It will also explain how to respond when someone uses your work without permission, including recent changes in copyright law. Whether you’re new to the topic or seeking a refresher, you’ll leave with practical tools to protect your work.

Christia Ravenell is the Staff Attorney at Maryland Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts, where she provides legal assistance to clients, develops legal resource guides and professional development workshops, supports volunteer attorneys, and participates in advocacy and stakeholder initiatives.

Registration is free but required.

She Speaks: Exhibition Opening Reception & Black History Month Celebration
2026-02-07 10:00 - 16:00 | Banneker-Douglass-Tubman Museum, 84 Franklin Street, Annapolis, Maryland, 21401, United States
Banneker-Douglass-Tubman Museum Presents: She Speaks – Black Women Artists and the Power of Historical Memory

Throughout history, Black women have been the architects of resistance, the keepers of resilience, and the visionaries of transformation. She Speaks is a groundbreaking exhibition that amplifies their voices through the powerful lens of contemporary art. Featuring works by Black women artists, this collection documents untold histories, reclaims stolen narratives, and boldly reimagines the future.

From intimate portraits to sweeping installations, each piece challenges dominant stories, offering new perspectives on struggle, triumph, and legacy.

Join us for a day of inspiration, dialogue, and celebration:

Curated Tours – Explore the exhibition with guided insights into its themes and creators.

Live Music & Performances – Experience the rhythm of resistance and joy.

Community Conversations – Engage in meaningful dialogue about art, history, and liberation.

She Speaks is more than an exhibition—it is a declaration. A reminder that Black women have always spoken, always created, always led. Now, it’s time to listen.

This event is free and open to the public.

Webinar: "Bringing the Humanities to Life"
2026-02-11 12:00 - 13:00 | Zoom
Bringing the Humanities to Life is a new monthly virtual webinar series that explores how the humanities enrich and transform various fields. Each session will feature experts discussing the importance of integrating literature, history, philosophy, and the social sciences in industries such as technology, healthcare, sports, and environmentalism.

Join us on Wednesday, February 11th at 12:00 p.m. for our first episode of this series, “Bringing the Humanities to Advocacy,” where we’ll be exploring how the humanities inform advocacy efforts across social justice movements. This session will equip participants with practical approaches for communicating the public value of the humanities to decision-makers and partners. Attendees will explore how to clearly articulate program impact, align messages with civic priorities, and use timely examples to demonstrate why humanities work matters at the local, state, and national levels.

Registration is free but required.

Click here to register!

Guest panelists include:

Soo Koo is an external affairs and public impact professional with experience across government, nonprofit, and political settings in both domestic and international contexts. Under the administration of Governor Larry Hogan of Maryland, she served in roles including Chief of Staff to Maryland’s First Lady, communications lead for statewide community initiatives, and in inaugural leadership roles supporting immigrant affairs under the Governor.

She has also worked at the U.S. Department of State on strategic communications, domestic outreach, and stakeholder engagement in support of public diplomacy and press relations across the Asia-Pacific region. Earlier in her career, she served as a nonprofit executive focused on small business advocacy, U.S.–Asia exchanges, leadership development, and next-generation civic engagement.

Soo currently serves on the boards of Maryland Humanities and the YUMI C.A.R.E.S. Foundation, is a member of the American Enterprise Institute Leadership Network, and serves as a translator for Asian Pacific Islander American Vote. Her recognitions include “40 Under 40” honors from the Asian American Chamber of Commerce in the DMV region and the National Association of Asian Pacifics in Politics and Public Affairs, a Governor’s Citation, the Federal Asian Pacific American Council Award, and Certificates of Superior Achievement from the U.S. Department of State.

Chris Shank is a seasoned public policy and government affairs leader with more than two decades of experience in Maryland state government. He previously served as a Senior Advisor in the Office of Governor Larry Hogan, working closely with the Governor, senior staff, and cabinet secretaries on major policy and operational priorities. Earlier, Chris was the Governor’s Chief Legislative Officer and chief negotiator with the Maryland General Assembly, responsible for advancing and defending the Governor’s legislative package and managing complex negotiations with legislative leadership.

Chris also served sixteen years as an elected member of the Maryland House of Delegates and Senate, representing Washington County, Maryland, a region rich in American history and political tradition. He earned a BA in History from Johns Hopkins University in 1994. Today, Chris is the Principal Consultant at C. C. Shank Consulting, advising organizations on state government strategy, legislative engagement, and coalition building across multiple states.

Chanel Johnson is inspired and passionate about her role as Executive Director for the Maryland Commission on African American History and Culture (MCAAHC), an agency that operates the Banneker-Douglass-Tubman Museum (BDTM), Maryland State Museum on African American History and Culture and the African American Heritage Preservation Program Grant. With over 15 years of museum and cultural heritage experience, Johnson believes that African American museums are instrumental in inspiring a new generation of leaders and innovators because it is a place of empowerment, of learning, and a place of individual and collective transformation.

As Executive Director of MCAAHC, Chanel is dedicated to serving the great state of Maryland to amplify and support African American heritage initiatives, groups, and museums to gain further access to resources, partnerships, and reach new audiences and heights. Chanel earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Rutgers University and completed a graduate degree in Arts Management from American University. She is also a visual artist, expressing Black diasporic experiences, history, and identity through portraits, abstract paintings, and mosaics. She and husband have a home and art studio in Baltimore, Maryland.

Poetry Out Loud: Baltimore-Central Region
2026-02-14 14:00 - 16:00 | Studio Theatre @ Towson University, 7700 Osler Dr, Towson, Maryland, 21204, United States
The Baltimore-Central regional competition for Poetry Out Loud will take place at:

Studio Theatre @ Towson University (map)7700 Osler Dr, Towson, MD 21204

Learn more about Poetry Out Loud here.

Lunch With Lindsey
2026-02-19 12:30 - 13:30 | MD
Changes are happening across the Regional Humanities Networks and we have something brand new on the horizon. Do you value the humanities and see the power in connecting with others?

Join our next Lunch with Lindsey to chat with our CEO and a few featured guests about our new Humanities Regions, our capacity-building opportunities for museums and organizations, and our Big Idea for 2026!

Poetry Out Loud: West-Central Region
2026-02-21 14:00 - 16:00 | Delaplaine Arts Center, 40 S Carroll St, Frederick, Maryland, 21701, United States
The West-Central regional competition for Poetry Out Loud will take place at:

Delaplaine Arts Center (map)40 S Carroll St, Frederick, MD 21701

Learn more about Poetry Out Loud here.

Poetry Out Loud: South-Central Region
2026-02-22 14:30 - 16:30 | Oxon Hill Branch Library, 6200 Oxon Hill Rd, Oxon Hill, Maryland, 20745
The South-Central regional competition for Poetry Out Loud will take place at:

Oxon Hill Branch Library of Prince George’s County Memorial Library System (map)6200 Oxon Hill Rd, Oxon Hill, MD 20745

Learn more about Poetry Out Loud here.

Baltimore City History Day
2026-02-28 08:00 - 15:00 | Patterson High School, 100 Kane Street, Baltimore, Maryland, 21224
We invite you to volunteer as a judge at Baltimore City History Day!

Your role as a judge is crucial in evaluating their work and enhancing the skills they’ve honed during their projects. No prior judging experience is necessary.

Sign up to volunteer and support young historians!

Montgomery County History Day
2026-03-07 08:00 - 17:00 | Sligo Middle School, 1401 Dennis Ave, Silver Spring, Maryland, 20902
We invite you to volunteer as a judge at Montgomery County History Day!

Your role as a judge is crucial in evaluating their work and enhancing the skills they’ve honed during their projects. No prior judging experience is necessary.

Sign up to volunteer and support young historians!

Upper Shore Regional History Day Contest
2026-03-07 08:00 - 17:00 | Chesapeake College, 1000 College Cir, Wye Mills, Maryland, 21679
We invite you to volunteer as a judge at the Upper Shore Regional History Day Contest!

Your role as a judge is crucial in evaluating their work and enhancing the skills they’ve honed during their projects. No prior judging experience is necessary.

Sign up to volunteer and support young historians!

Poetry Out Loud: State Finals
2026-03-07 14:00 - 16:00 | Theatre Arts Center @ Montgomery College, 51 Mannakee St, Rockville, Maryland, 20850, United States
The Poetry Out Loud state finals will take place at:

Theatre Arts Center @ Montgomery College, Rockville Campus (map)51 Mannakee St, Rockville, MD 20850

Learn more about Poetry Out Loud here.

Humanities at Work Legislative Reception
2026-03-10 16:00 - 18:00 | Banneker-Douglass-Tubman Museum, 84 Franklin Street, Annapolis, Maryland, 21401, United States
Invite Only

On Harriet Tubman Day, join us at the Banneker-Douglass- Tubman Museum for a legislative reception that brings together humanities leaders and legislators in meaningful conversation about the vital humanities work unfolding across Maryland.

Together, we will explore how the humanities illuminate our past, deepen our understanding of the present, and help us build stronger, more connected communities.

Hosted by Maryland Humanities & the Banneker-Douglass-Tubman Museum.In partnership with MD250, Maryland Center for History and Culture, Maryland Heritage Areas Coalition, and Maryland Museums Association.

Webinar: Bringing the Humanities to Life - Hospitality
2026-03-11 12:00 - 13:00 | MD
Bringing the Humanities to Life is a monthly virtual webinar series that explores how the humanities enrich and transform various fields. Each session will feature experts discussing the importance of integrating literature, history, philosophy, and the social sciences in industries such as technology, healthcare, sports, and environmentalism.

Uncover the intersection of the humanities and the hospitality industry. This session will discuss the importance of cultural literacy, communication, and emotional intelligence in providing exceptional service. Attendees will learn how understanding diverse cultural backgrounds enhances guest experiences and fosters inclusive environments.

Webinar: Bringing the Humanities to Life - Environmentalism
2026-04-08 12:00 - 13:00 | MD
Bringing the Humanities to Life is a new monthly virtual webinar series that explores how the humanities enrich and transform various fields. Each session will feature experts discussing the importance of integrating literature, history, philosophy, and the social sciences in industries such as technology, healthcare, sports, and environmentalism.

This episode of Bringing the Humanities to Life will focus on the role of the humanities in environmentalism.

Investigate the role of the humanities in shaping our understanding of environmental issues. This session will explore how literature, art, and philosophy contribute to environmental awareness and advocacy. Participants will discuss the narratives that influence public perception and motivate action toward sustainability and conservation.
