Dear UMB Community,

I hope that you will register today for the University of Maryland, Baltimore’s (UMB) virtual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Black History Month Celebration, which will take place at noon Tuesday, Feb. 8. Sponsored by the Diversity Advisory Council, the celebration commemorates Dr. King’s legacy with a keynote speaker; awards that recognize people at UMB whose work epitomizes the late civil rights leader’s ideals, life, and work; an oratorical contest for West Baltimore youth; and poster presentations from the UMB CURE Scholars.

I’m pleased to share that this year’s keynote speaker is Lawrence T. Brown, PhD, MPA, research scientist at the Center for Urban Health Equity at Morgan State University. He’s an educator, equity scientist, urban Afrofuturist, and director of the Black Butterfly Academy, a racial equity education and consulting firm. His first book, “The Black Butterfly: The Harmful Politics of Race and Space in America,” was published in January 2021. It examines Baltimore’s history of segregation; the policies, practices, and systems that caused it; and its impact on the health and well-being of the city’s Black residents.

In addition to his book, Brown has authored journal articles and book chapters and led workshops, webinars, and trainings on topics such as community health, health disparities, mental health, housing bias, racism as a social determinant of health, trauma, and more. I look forward to hearing from Dr. Brown, especially as UMB continues our own work to be an anti-racist organization, diminish inequities, and improve opportunities for our West Baltimore neighbors and beyond.

This celebration reinforces UMB’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion by honoring those whose personal or professional work demonstrates extraordinary and sustained dedication to these ideals. I hope that you will join me — and that you invite others to attend the virtual event as well. Please register today.

Sincerely,

Bruce E. Jarrell, MD, FACS

President