Established in 2021, Gilman's Juneteenth Speaker Series is designed to highlight and celebrate modern-day contributions to African American culture and initiatives.
This year's speaker series is generously supported by funds raised as part of the 2020-2021 Juneteenth fundraising effort.
The 2021-2022 series includes:
Although it was André Robert Lee’s first time on Gilman’s campus when he kicked off the Juneteenth Speaker Series on Friday, October 15, 2021, at an all-student event, he says he “feels very connected to the School.” Lee’s college roommate was Rob Marbury ’89 whose family had deep roots at Gilman, and embraced him as part of their family.
Educator Susan Yao spoke to the Gilman community, first on Friday, November 19 at the Upper School assembly, and then on Saturday, November 20 to a room full of parents, faculty, and staff. Her presentation examined the concept of solidarity.
As part of the Juneteenth Speaker Series, the Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History and Culture virtually visited the Middle School assembly on Friday, January 21. The museum, located at Baltimore’s inner harbor, interprets, preserves, and tells the stories of Black Americans in Maryland.
Roca founder and CEO Molly Baldwin, along with her colleagues Kurt Palermo and Jamal West of Roca Baltimore, joined the Middle School and Upper School assemblies on Friday, February 11. Roca’s mission is to disrupt the cycle of poverty and incarceration by helping young people transform their lives.
Gilman was pleased to welcome Phoebe Kilby Baldwin and Betty Kilby, authors of “Cousins," to speak with students on Tuesday, February 22, as part of the Juneteenth Speaker Series.
Gilman welcomed Dr. Richard Antoine White to speak with Middle School and Upper School boys during their respective assemblies on Friday, March 4, 2022. Richard White is an inspirational speaker, professor, and principal tubist with more than two decades of performing on the world’s classical music stages.
As part of the Juneteenth Speaker Series, the Office of Community, Inclusion, and Equity (CIE) welcomed Richard Bell for his talk “What We Commemorate on Juneteenth” on Saturday, March 5. He discussed his book, “Stolen: Five Free Boys Kidnapped into Slavery and Their Astonishing Odyssey Home.”
Gilman is pleased to welcome author Brendan Kiely to speak with students on Friday, April 8, 2022, as part of the Juneteenth Speaker Series.