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African American InfoCenter main page

Arts and Culture
Books and Literature
Business
Civil Rights, Past and Present
Education
Famous African Americans
Genealogy and Local Communities
Health
History
Local Museums and Historical Sites
Media
Magazines
Newspapers
Radio, Television and Film
Science, Math, and Inventions
General Resources

Arts and Culture

African American Department (local interest)
at the Central Library of Enoch Pratt Free Library, Baltimore, Maryland
Has books, photographs, church histories, calendars, political campaign literature, pamphlets, event programs, magazines, newspapers, and other printed items about African Americans, their history and culture with major focus on Maryland and the Baltimore area.

African American Heritage Festival  (local interest)
Three day festival held in downtown Baltimore

African American Museums
by BlackPast.org
Lists museums throughout the nation.

African-American Sheet Music, 1850-1920
by The Library of Congress and Brown University
Search this collection by title, subject or name for digital sheet music, primarily vocal music printed or published in the United States.

African Americans in Pro Football
by Pro Football Hall of Fame
Describes the firsts in professional football as early as 1902.

African Americans in the Sports Arena
by B. Davis Schwartz Memorial Library, Long Island University
Highlights the African American role in boxing, horse racing, cycling, track and field, basketball, baseball, and football.

African Americans in the Visual Arts
by B. Davis Schwartz Memorial Library, Long Island University
Presents European, African, and American influences on early and recent African American sculptors, painters, photographers, illustrators, and more. Includes brief biographies of several artists.

Afrocentric Voices in Classical Music
by the Classical Music Web Ring
Presents major events and accomplishments by African American vocal musicians. Brief biographies of vocalists and composers, such as Marian Anderson, Paul Robeson, Leontyne Price, and others.

Archives of African American Music and Culture
at Indiana University
Links to sites on popular, religious, classical and popular music, including blues, gospel to R and B, contemporary hip hop, and more.

ArtCyclopedia: African-American Artists
Ranges from Joshua Johnson to current artists found in museums, image archives, and other online resources.  Includes sample images of their works with limited biographical information.

Baltimore Guide: Cultural Sites (local interest)
provided by Soul of America.

Baltimore's African American Heritage and Attractions Guide (local interest)
by Baltimore Area Convention and Visitors Association
Celebrate Baltimore's black heritage.

Black Theatre Companies
by Bridges Web Services
Professional and nonprofit theatre companies and organizations that present works from primarily an Afrocentric point of view. Includes Maryland listings.

BlackBridalGuide.com
Covers traditions and customs as well as tips on planning the wedding.

Carl J. Murphy Fine Arts Center (local interest)
at Morgan State University, Baltimore Maryland
State of the art performing arts facility with concert halls and an art museum.

Harlem Renaissance (local interest)
by African American Department of the Enoch Pratt Free Library, Baltimore, Maryland
"In the 1920s, Harlem was home to some of the best black writers, artists, actors, and musicians". Briefly discusses the art, literature, music, and theatre and major participants in the Harlem scene.

International Gospel Music Hall of Fame and Museum
Brief history of anthem, spiritual and gospel music with video biographies of several vocalists and groups.

Juneteenth and Emancipation Day Celebrations
by Joyce Reese McCollum of the University of South Florida Africana Heritage Project

Juneteenth.com
The history of the "oldest known celebration of the ending of slavery."

Maryland's African-American Heritage Guide [PDF] (local interest)
from Maryland Office of Tourism Development
Introduce yourself to the Maryland African American experience. Here you'll find museums and other destinations across the state.

Negrospirituals.com
Devoted to traditional spirituals, and some information on early Gospel songs. Includes lyrics.

Official Kwanzaa Web Site
History, the seven principles, symbols, greetings, and more.

Oxford Art Online (local interest)
provided by Baltimore County Public Library
Find articles on painting, sculpture, graphic arts, architecture, decorative arts and photography from prehistory to the present day. Useful for biographies, criticism and philosophy of art, artistic styles and movements. Available on public computers in our libraries or from home with a valid library card registered with Baltimore County Public Library. See the Databases Troubleshooting Help page.

Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History and Culture (local interest)
Three galleries of Maryland’s black heritage. Located in Baltimore.

Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture
of the New York Public Library
Collects, preserves and provides access to resources documenting the experiences of peoples of African descent throughout the world.

Sports Legends Museum at Camden Yards (local interest)
Exhibits of Baltimore's recent sports history and its "rich Negro League history".

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Books and Literature

Hot Titles: African American fiction and non-fiction (local interest)
Newly ordered or just received by Baltimore County Public Library. All may be placed on hold. Book Ahead fees apply.

African American Expressions (local interest)
by Baltimore County Public Library
A booklist with selections of fiction and non-fiction by an African American author or about African Americans with links to available titles in the library catalog.

African American Literature Book Club
Features a bestseller list, book reviews, resources for writers, discussion groups, literary crossword puzzle and poetry readings.

BCALA Literary Award Winners
awarded by the Black Caucus of the American Library Association
These annual awards recognize excellence in adult fiction and nonfiction by African American authors, including the work of a first novelist, and a citation for outstanding contribution to publishing. The 2009 Literary Award winners.

Brief Guide to the Harlem Renaissance
by Poets.org and The Academy of American Poets
Offers biographies and essays on the poets and poetry of the Harlem Renaissance.

Coretta Scott King Book Award
an annual award of the American Library Association
Honors African American authors and illustrators for outstanding contributions to literature for children and young adult literature.

Harlem Renaissance (local interest)
by African American Department of the Enoch Pratt Free Library, Baltimore, Maryland
"In the 1920s, Harlem was home to some of the best black writers, artists, actors and musicians."  The literature and theatre created by this movement represents an impressive body of work. Has information on several writers, playwrights and more.

Literature and Life: The Givens Collection
of the University of Minnesota
Explains briefly the major eras in African American literature beginning with the slave narratives through the 20th century.

Literature Resource Center (local interest)
provided by Baltimore County Public Library
Find full text critical analysis and biographies of novelists, poets and essayists from authoritative literary sources. Search by author, title, time period and literary themes. Available on public computers in our libraries or from home with a valid library card registered with Baltimore County Public Library. See the Databases Troubleshooting Help page.

Perspectives in American Literature
from California State University Stanislaus
From colonial to modern times, find biographies and discussions of social and political influences on literature by African Americans. Focus is on major contributors to black literature and on the Harlem Renaissance.

QBR: The Black Book Review
Reviews and recommendations for adult and children's fiction and nonfiction and a literary events calendar.

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Business

Baltimore County Minority Business Enterprise Office (local interest)
of the Baltimore County Office of Fair Practices and Community Affairs
Offers information on procurement opportunities, preparation of business and marketing plans and financial information. Includes directory of certified minority and women owned businesses to use on County or federal projects.

Black Enterprise
Contains business news, "Black Enterprise 100 Largest Black-Owned Businesses Lists," and information on personal finance, franchising, and more.

BmoreBlack.com (local interest)
Baltimore's black business directory for your shopping and service needs.

Business and Investing InfoCenter (local interest)
provided by the Baltimore County Public Library
Covers local, national, international, and minority business. Focuses on local resources for business owners and on small business assistance. Contains links to our databases of full-text articles on business topics, to company directories, and to stock, mutual fund, and investments. Look into company annual reports and S E C filings as well as facts on saving and investing in general.

Greater Baltimore Black Chamber of Commerce (local interest)
Offers workshops, seminars for education and training of membership in the business community.

Maryland Small and Minority Business Resources (local interest)
Learn about programs from many different agencies that assist small and minority-owned businesses.

Minority Business Development Agency
of United States Department of Commerce
Access sources of financing, market opportunities, contracting including federal procurement and applying for the proper certifications, online business tools, and information for developing your business.

Resource Directory for the Small Business Owner in Baltimore County (local interest)
provided by Baltimore County Public Library
Information for new and our established small business community.

Target Market News
Provides information and some statistics on the black consumer market.

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Civil Rights, Past and Present

Alabama Moments in American History: Civil Rights Movement
by Alabama Department of Archives and History
Arranged by decades, provides history of events that impacted civil rights in Alabama and the nation like the Montgomery Bus Boycott, Bombing of the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church, the Selma-to-Montgomery March, and more.

Baltimore '68: Riots and Rebirth (local interest)
from University of Baltimore
Offers information, oral histories and photographs of the April 1968 civil unrest following the assassination of Martin Luther King Junior.

Baltimore County Human Relations Commission (local interest)
Investigates discrimination complaints in the areas of employment, housing, education, public accommodations, and financing within Baltimore County and responds to hate bias incidents.  The Commission does not have jurisdiction over county government, the county board of education, or the community colleges.

Baltimore County Office of Fair Practices and Community Affairs (local interest)
Addresses the concerns of Baltimore County employees who believe that they have been discriminated against on the basis of age, color, creed, mental or physical disability, national origin, race, religion or sex.

Baltimore Riots 1968 (local interest)
from BaltimoreSun.com
Includes audio recollections and video footage of the riots, photos, and interactive maps of fires, looting and other disturbances during the riots.

Black Panther Party
provided by the Afro-American Newspaper Company
Brief information about the organization and a few of its key players.

Brown versus Board of Education
by The National Archives
Offers background information and documents, brief biographies of the key figures, and a timeline of events leading to the decision.

Brown versus Board of Education National Historical Site
by National Park Service
In December, 1952, the United States Supreme Court had on its docket cases from Kansas, Delaware, the District of Columbia, South Carolina, and Virginia, all of which challenged the constitutionality of racial segregation in public schools. The Court consolidated these five cases under one name, Oliver Brown et al. v. the Board of Education of Topeka. Here is basic information as well as link to an online handbook [ P D F ] with more detailed information.

Civil Rights: United States Supreme Court Decisions
by FindLaw
Major Supreme Court decisions involving civil rights and discrimination starting with the Dred Scott decision.

Civil Rights Movement Veterans
Covers "the Freedom Movement as it existed in the South" by the participants including photos, documents and full text of oral histories, statements, interviews, and narratives by Movement veterans.

Congress of Racial Equality
One of the "Big Four" civil rights groups. CORE was there for the protests against "Jim Crow" laws of the 40's, through the "Sit-ins" of the 50's, the "Freedom Rides" of the 60's, to the current demand for human rights. View, listen and read about historical events and key people as seen from the perspective of CORE.

History of Jim Crow
sponsored by New York Life
"Materials on the segregation and the disfranchisement of African Americans from Reconstruction through the modern civil rights movement."

King Online Encyclopedia
Search for civil rights movement figures, events, organizations, and ideas written from Reverend Doctor Martin Luther King Junior’s perspective.

Little Rock: 40 Years Later
from New York Times on A O L
"Looks back at what happened in Little Rock in 1957 and 1958, as reported and photographed in the pages of The Times."

Maryland Commission on Human Relations (local interest)
"Ensures equal opportunity to all through the enforcement of Maryland's laws against discrimination in employment, housing, and public accommodations and provides educational and outreach services related to the provisions of these laws...."

National Association for the Advancement of Colored People
Its mission is "to ensure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights of all persons and to eliminate racial hatred and racial discrimination." The N A A C P has a long civil rights history and is built on the courage of people (scroll to bottom of page).

Rise and Fall of Jim Crow
by Public Broadcasting Service
Historical resources on the era of segregation, violence, and disfranchisement of African Americans.

Southern Christian Leadership Conference
Inter-faith, advocacy organization committed to non-violent action to achieve social, economic, and political justice. It began under the Presidency of Reverend Doctor Martin Luther King, Junior with the Montgomery Bus Boycott.

Voices of Civil Rights
a joint project of A A R P, the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights, and the Library of Congress
Personal stories and oral histories of the Civil Rights Movement.

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Education

Black Collegian Online
Offers employment, career planning and job search information for college students as well as information on graduate study, and more.

Black Excel: The College Help Network
by blackexcel.org
For college and university tours, admissions guidance, summer programs, financial aid for students, and more.

Education and Homework InfoCenter (local interest)
created by Baltimore County Public Library
Focuses on local public and private schools and colleges, service learning, financial aid/scholarships, G E D classes and tests, S A T test preparation, test proctoring sites, home schooling, learning disabilities, after school programs, summer camps, tutors, and tips on choosing a preschool or elementary school.

Historically Black Colleges and Universities
Search by state, region, alphabetically or by degree. Also links to information on financial aid, admission tips, and studying for the A C T and S A T.

• Bowie State University, Bowie, Maryland (local interest)
  4 year public institution with graduate and undergraduate programs.
• Coppin State University, Baltimore, Maryland (local interest)
  4 year public institution with graduate and undergraduate programs.
• Morgan State University, Baltimore, Maryland (local interest)
  4 year public institution with graduate and undergraduate programs.
• Sojourner-Douglass College, Baltimore, Maryland (local interest)
  4 year independent institution with graduate and undergraduate programs.
• University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, Maryland (local interest)
  4 year public institution with graduate and undergraduate programs.

Testing and Education Reference Center (local interest)
provided by Baltimore County Public Library
Features online practice tests including G E D, S A T, A C T, Praxis, N C L E X, postal exams, law enforcement, occupational tests, certification and licensing tests, high school placement and admission tests, and more. Also includes scholarship and financial aid information, information on undergraduate and graduate programs, technical and specialty schools, executive education and distance learning programs. Available on public computers in our libraries or from home with a valid library card registered with Baltimore County Public Library. See the Databases Troubleshooting Help page.

United Negro College Fund
Administers several scholarship and internship programs.

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Famous African Americans
Biographies of: Individuals | Many Famous People | Scientists, Mathematicians and Inventors

Biographies of Individuals

Marian Anderson
First African American to sing leading role with Metropolitan Opera, delegate to United Nations.

Maya Angelou
Poet and historian

Josephine Baker
International star, civil rights activist, World War II heroine.

Benjamin Banneker (local interest)
Mathematician and scientist born in Maryland.

Ida B. Wells Barnett
Educator, newspaperwoman, anti-lynching campaigner, founder N A A C P.

Eubie Blake (local interest)
Pioneer in ragtime and early jazz.

Mary Elizabeth Bowser
Union spy in the Confederate White House.

Benjamin S. Carson (local interest)
Renowned Baltimore pediatric neurosurgeon.

George Washington Carver
Educator, scientist and agriculturalist.

Ray Charles
Mega famous musician.

Elizabeth "Bessie" Coleman
First African-American woman to get pilot's license.

Charles Drew
Surgeon, scientist, educator.

Frederick Douglass (local interest)
Former slave, writer, editor, journalist, orator, political reformer from Maryland and one of the foremost leaders of the abolitionist movement.

• Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, An American Slave by Frederick Douglass
  Autobiography by a former slave.

W.E.B. DuBois
"Father of Pan-Africanism."

Paul Laurence Dunbar
19th century poet and writer.

Marcus Garvey
Champion of the back-to-Africa movement. Leader of the largest organized mass movement in black history and originator of the modern "black is beautiful" ideal.

John H. Johnson
Founder of the world's largest African American publishing company.

B.B.King
"Ambassador of the Blues"

Coretta Scott King

• Biography from the King Center
• Biography from the Martin Luther King Junior Research and Education Institute of Stanford University
• Biography from Gale Cengage Learning
• Items owned by Baltimore County Public Library about Coretta Scott King (local interest)

Martin Luther King, Junior

• Biography from the King Center
• Biography from the Martin Luther King Junior Research and Education Institute of Stanford University
• Items owned by Baltimore County Public Library about Doctor Martin Luther King. (local interest)
• King's speeches, sermons, photos and audio videos from the Martin Luther King Junior Research and Education Institute of Stanford University
• Martin Luther King Junior and the Civil Rights Movement from the Seattle Times

Henrietta Lacks (local interest)
Local cancer victim whose cells have been widely used for medical research.

Reginald F. Lewis (local interest)
Considered the wealthiest African American man in history.

Thurgood Marshall (local interest)
Fighter for civil rights and first African American Supreme Court Justice.

Barack Hussein Obama Junior

• Barack Obama Page from BlackPast.org
• Biography from Biography.com and A and E Television Network
• Items owned by Baltimore County Public Library by and about Barack Obama (local interest)
• Official White House Biography

Michelle LaVaughn Robinson Obama

• Biography from Biography.com and A and E Television Network
• Items owned by Baltimore County Public Library about Michelle Obama (local interest)
• Official White House Biography

Gordon Parks
Photographer, filmmaker, writer and composer whose self-taught talents recorded the African-American experience and retold his own history

Rosa Parks
From unknown seamstress to a leader in the modern Civil Rights movement, this ordinary woman changed the world.

Colin L. Powell
Soldier, statesman, former Secretary of State

Jackie Robinson
Shattered baseball's color barrier.

Vivien Theodore Thomas (local interest)
Educator of surgeons, surgical technician, and pioneer of operative techniques.

Sojourner Truth (Isabella Baumfree)
Runaway slave who became an abolitionist and women's rights activist during the 1800s.

Harriet Tubman (local interest)
Underground Railroad conductor, Army scout, suffragette.

Madame C.J. Walker
The first American woman to become a millionaire solely by her own endeavors.

Phillis Wheatley
First noted African-American woman poet.

Daniel Hale Williams
Pioneer in open heart surgery.

Oprah Winfrey
Entertainment executive

Granville T. Woods
A prolific inventor with more than 60 patents.

Carter G. Woodson
"Father of Black History."

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Biographies of Many Famous People

African Americans in History
by the Institute for African American Studies
Brief biographical sketches of several key figures in African American history including statesman, writers, civil rights activists, scientists, and more.

Biography Research Databases (local interest)
provided by Baltimore County Public Library
Several sources for biographical information on people throughout history and across all disciplines and subject areas. Includes full text articles from magazines, encyclopedias, biographies, and primary source documents. Available on public computers in our libraries or from home with a valid library card registered with Baltimore County Public Library. See the Databases Troubleshooting Help page.

Black History Month Biographies
by Gale Cengage Learning
Profiles of some of the most significant people.

Encyclopedia of African-American Culture and History. Colin Palmer, Editor 2nd edition. Detroit: Macmillan Reference USA, 2006. 2746 pages. 6 volumes (local interest)
provided by Baltimore County Public Library
An online multi-volume electronic book of the African-American experience from 1619 to the present day. Using biographies, historical essays, and articles on many topics, it addresses the cultural roots, participation in American life, and current condition of African-Americans.

Available online as an electronic Reference Book. Discover the information by clicking the hyperlinks. Can be printed, emailed or downloaded.  These books do not have to be checked out or downloaded, and are always available for use either in the library or from home. A library card registered with Baltimore County Public Library is needed.

Famous African American Women
from the Librarians' Internet Index

History Makers
Interviews of both well known and unsung African American heroes and history makers in the fields of education, music, law, medicine, entertainment, business, and more.

Jazz Biographies
from P B S, the Public Broadcasting Service and the New Grove Dictionary of Jazz
Contains almost 100 African-American biographies. Some include audio of music and interviews.

Notable African Americans
by Fact Monster of Information Please
Brief biographical information. Searchable A to Z list or by area of achievement.

Online Encyclopedia of Significant People and Places in African American History
by BlackPast.org
A starting point for descriptions of individuals, places and events which have contributed to the shaping of African American history.

Who's Who Among African Americans 19th edition. Detroit: Gale, 2006. 1521 pages (local interest)
provided by Baltimore County Public Library
Biographical and career details on notable individuals, including leaders from sports, the arts, business, religion, and other fields. Has a geographic and an occupational index.

Available online as an electronic Reference Book. Discover the information by clicking the hyperlinks. Can be printed, emailed or downloaded. These books do not have to be checked out or downloaded, and are always available for use either in the library or from home. A library card registered with Baltimore County Public Library is needed.

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Genealogy and Local Communities

African American Family Histories and Related Works in the Library of Congress
available in the Local History and Genealogy Reading Room of the Library of Congress
Find out more about using their genealogical resources.

African American Genealogy: How-To Guide (local interest)
by the African American Department of the Enoch Pratt Free Library, Baltimore Maryland.
Tells you how to get started in researching your family's genealogy and the tools available online and at the Enoch Pratt Free Library, which is the Maryland State Library and serves all Maryland residents.

African American Genealogy Mailing List
A moderated mailing list for researchers.

Africana Heritage Project
sponsored by the Africana Studies Department, University of South Florida
Dedicated to rediscovering and sharing records that document the names and lives of former slaves, freed persons, and their descendants.

AfriGeneas
Devoted to African American genealogy. Also an African ancestry research community featuring a mail list, message boards, and daily and weekly genealogy chats.

Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Society (local interest)
Encourages scholarly studies in academic, local, and family history of African Americans. Local chapter information available.

Baltimore County Historic Map of African American Communities  [PDF] (local interest)
from Baltimore County Office of Planning
Use this map to locate over 40 historic African American settlements and communities in Baltimore County.

Baltimore County Office of Planning Maps and Research Links (local interest)
Links to:

• African American History Research Links [PDF] cites newspaper and other sources referring to local African Americans, local events, and buildings associated with local African Americans.
• African American Survey Districts contains the history of African American neighborhoods in Baltimore County. Includes photographs.
• Baltimore County Architectural Survey: African American Thematic Study [PDF] includes information on architecture in our African American communities, a map of Baltimore County African American settlements and dates of settlement, lists of African American schools and churches, and African American surnames in Baltimore County.
• Mapping a Paradox: The African American Cultural Landscape in Antebellum Baltimore County Maryland by Kimberly Abe [PDF] details pre-Civil War Baltimore County, and includes documentation on the remaining slavery-related structures and sites.
• My Neighborhood: Historic Interactive Map which allows users to locate historic properties and African American survey districts by address or general location.

Books on Baltimore County's African American Communities (local interest)
owned by Baltimore County Public Library

Beneath the Underground Database (local interest)
by Maryland State Archive
Enter the surname of a family member into the database using the general search page, or limit the search to a more specific category such as only Runaway Ads or Census Population records. The Maryland State Archives houses the jail records from Baltimore City and County from 1827 to 1899. The Baltimore County docket from 1827 to 1832 lists persons arrested for an assortment of crimes, but for the purpose of this project, only runaway slaves were recorded.

Cyndi's List of Genealogy Sites on the Internet: African American
Starting point for your online research.

Free African Americans of Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Maryland and Delaware (local interest)
List of free African Americans in the Southeast during the colonial period, taken from primary sources.

Freedman's Bureau 1865 to1872
provided by National Archives
In the years following the Civil War, the Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned Lands provided assistance to tens of thousands of former slaves and impoverished whites in the Southern states and the District of Columbia. Their records are available on microfilm through the National Archives.

Genealogy Databases (local interest)
provided by Baltimore County Public Library
Find digital images of federal census records, and primary source documents, and indexes. Rich with demographic and genealogical detail. All are available on public computers in our libraries and some from home with a valid library card registered with Baltimore County Public Library. See the Databases Troubleshooting Help page.

History and Genealogy InfoCenter (local interest)
provided by Baltimore County Public Library
Includes Baltimore County, Maryland, United States, world and women’s history. Find local historical societies, Baltimore County community histories, and local historic photos. Features genealogy sites including sources for birth, death and marriage certificates, or other vital records.

History and Roster of Maryland Volunteers War of 1861 to 1865 Volume 2 (local interest)
provided by Maryland State Archives
This volume covers "colored" troops.

Items owned by Baltimore County Public Library on African American Genealogy (local interest)

Maryland State Archives: African American Resources (local interest)
Describes the holdings and records available at the Maryland State Archives in Annapolis, Maryland, including published and manuscript resources. Offers a description of the records as well.

National Archives
Their records come from every branch of the Federal government. Knowing how a person interacted with the government is key to a successful search. Provides both links to and information about research for African Americans using military, civilian and government records.

Starting Your Own Genealogy Research (local interest)
by the Maryland Department of Enoch Pratt Free Library, Baltimore, Maryland
A guide to the many genealogy resources available in the Maryland Department on families that lived in Maryland.

Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade Database
sponsored by Emory University
Look for particular voyages in this database of documented slaving expeditions. Also an African Names database of Africans aboard slave ships, using name, age, gender, origin, and place of embarkation.

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Health

African American Health
from Medline Plus, a service of the National Library of Medicine
Health topics and latest news.

African American Health Profile
by United States Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Minority Health
Figures on major diseases, death rates, infant mortality, immunization, insurance coverage, and more.

Black Health Care
by Blackhealthcare.com
Provides information on the special health problems of African Americans.

Black or African American Populations
Office of Minority Health and Health Disparities, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Leading causes of death, health statistics, government and non-governmental resources for additional information.

Black Women's Health Imperative
Promotes the physical, mental, and spiritual wellness of African American women.

Health InfoCenter (local interest)
provided by Baltimore County Public Library
Covers medical conditions and diseases, drugs, alternative medicine, nutrition and fitness, and substance abuse. Compare local doctors, hospitals, home health care, and nursing homes. Find health organizations, hotlines, support groups, medical and health news, disability resources, caregiving information, and more.

Health Research Databases (local interest)
provided by Baltimore County Public Library
Full text magazines, health-related pamphlets and other information for both consumers, nurses and allied health workers on health, nutrition, and fitness topics. Available on public computers in our libraries or from home with a valid library card registered with Baltimore County Public Library. See the Databases Troubleshooting Help page.

Minority Health and Health Disparities in Maryland (local interest)
by Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
Documents health disparities and links to programs.

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History

African American Almanac. Brigham Narins, Editor. 10th edition. Detroit: Gale, 2008. 1468 pages. (local interest)
provided by Baltimore County Public Library
Provides a range of historical and current information and many pictures on African American history, society, and culture. Covers African American historical documents, Africans in America 1600 to 1900,  film and television, blues and jazz, landmarks, national organizations, population, religion, science and technology, sports, and more.

Available online as an electronic Reference Book. Discover the information by clicking the hyperlinks. Can be printed, emailed or downloaded. These books do not have to be checked out or downloaded, and are always available for use either in the library or from home. A library card registered with Baltimore County Public Library is needed.

African American Marylanders (local interest)
by African American Department of Enoch Pratt Free Library, Baltimore Maryland
List of prominent Eighteenth, Nineteenth and Twentieth Century African Americans with ties to Maryland.

The African American Mosaic
by The Library of Congress
A "guide for the study of black history and culture". Covers American Colonization Society and the "back to Africa" movement, Abolition movement and famous abolitionists, migrations to the North and West, and the W P A program that documented black culture.

African American Odyssey
by The Library of Congress
From slavery through the civil rights era, documents the courage and determination of blacks, who faced adverse circumstances and immense odds. The exhibit includes the work of abolitionists in the first half of the nineteenth century and a wealth of primary sources.

African Americans in Maryland - Firsts and Facts (local interest)
by African American Department of Enoch Pratt Free Library, Baltimore, Maryland
Famous firsts by Marylanders.

Africans in America
by WGBH Educational Foundation
Traces the history of slavery in the United States from the the 16th century to the end of the American Civil War in 1865. After selecting the time period of interest, click on the Narrative link. The Resource Bank gives additional information. 

Amistad Revolt
by Mystic Seaport Museum
A group of African slaves struck out for freedom and held a shipboard revolt. Their revolt led to the Supreme Court.

Baltimore County Office of Planning Maps and Research Links: African American History (local interest)
Links to maps and several publications including:

• African American History Research Links [PDF] cites newspaper and other sources referring to local African Americans and local events and buildings associated with local African Americans.
• Mapping a Paradox: The African American Cultural Landscape in Antebellum Baltimore County Maryland by Kimberly Abe [PDF] This document details pre-Civil War Baltimore County, and includes documentation on the remaining slavery-related structures and sites.

Beneath the Underground: The Flight to Freedom and Communities in Antebellum Maryland (local interest)
by the Maryland State Archives
"This story of slave flight, and how the geography, laws, and communities of Maryland as a slave state aided or hindered escape." This site contains interactive maps, stories of flight, and links to other projects focused on antebellum Maryland and the flight to freedom in Maryland. Includes an overview of Baltimore County's involvement with the runaway slave.

Black History (local interest)
by Afro-America Newspaper
Presents sites on the resistance of black slaves to their lot, on The Tuskegee Airman, on Jackie Robinson, the Black Panther Party, The Scottsboro Boys, Million Man March, and Black America in the 20s and 30s.

Black History Hotlist
by Knowledge Network Explorer, A T and T
Good starting point for anyone studying African-American events and issues.

Black History Month Resource Packet [PDF] (local interest}
developed by Office of Equity and Assurance, Baltimore County Public Schools
Includes timeline of historical events, lengthy biographies of several notable African Americans, and activities for all grades.

BlackPast.org
Doorway to information on people, places, institutions, events, timelines covering African American history. Includes full text primary documents, audio, video, photos, and major speeches of black activists and leaders from the 18th Century to the present.

Born in Slavery: Slave Narratives
provided by The Library of Congress.
Contains first person accounts of slavery and black and white photographs of former slaves collected from the Federal Writer's Project, 1936 to 1938.

Baltimore Metropolitan Area Chapter of the Buffalo Soldiers (local interest)
History and membership membership information.

Buffalo Soldiers and Indian Wars
History of the Buffalo soldiers including photos.

Buffalo Soldiers on the Western Frontier
by the International Museum of the Horse
Highlights their role on the frontier during the Civil War and with the Union Army. Information on the 9th and 10th Calvary, daily life on the frontier, and Congressional Medal of Honor recipients.

Encyclopedia of African-American Culture and History. Colin Palmer, Editor 2nd edition. Detroit: Macmillan Reference USA, 2006. 2746 pages. 6 volumes (local interest)
provided by Baltimore County Public Library
An online multi-volume electronic book of the African-American experience from 1619 to the present day. Using biographies, historical essays, and articles on many topics, it addresses the cultural roots, participation in American life, and current condition of African-Americans.

Available online as an electronic Reference Book. Discover the information by clicking the hyperlinks. Can be printed, emailed or downloaded.  These books do not have to be checked out or downloaded, and are always available for use either in the library or from home. A library card registered with Baltimore County Public Library is needed.

Events in African American History, 1600 to present
offered by Gale Cengage Learning
Select the decade and find the major events that occurred.

From Frederick to Thurgood: Black Baltimore in Transition 1870 to 1920
presented by the Maryland State Archives, Maryland Historical Trust, Baltimore Heritage Research Collaborative 
Discusses Baltimore City's historic black communities, the people and institutions which influenced the heritage of the city. NOTE: In most instances the user name and password of aaco; aaco# will work on links requiring registration.

Guide to Black History
from Encyclopaedia Britannica
Examines the African American story through the centuries. Includes primary source documents, images, timeline, brief biographies, and other topics.

Harlem 1900 to1940
from The Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, New York Public Library
This unique community played a major role in African American history and culture.

Historical Text Archive
Find full text articles, essays and documents, e-books and links on African American history.

History and Genealogy InfoCenter (local interest)
provided by Baltimore County Public Library
Includes Baltimore County, Maryland, United States, world and women’s history. Find local historical societies, historic sites, Baltimore County community histories and local historic photos.

History of African Americans in the Civil War
by the National Park Service.
A brief overview of African Americans serving in the Union Army and the battles they fought.

History Research Databases (local interest)
provided by Baltimore County Public Library
These databases have full text online reference books, encyclopedias, non-fiction books, magazines on historical topics, historical documents. Also biographies of historical figures; historical photos and maps, articles from historical newspapers and a local historical photograph database. Available on public computers in our libraries or from home with a valid library card registered with Baltimore County Public Library. See the Databases Troubleshooting Help page.

Images of African Americans from the Nineteenth Century
from Digital Schomburg Collection of New York Public Library
Images of black history and culture from the 1800s.

Images of African American Slavery and Freedom
from the Library of Congress

In Motion: The African American Migration Experience
from the New York Public Library's Schomberg Center for Research in Black Culture.
Interprets African American movement from one place to another from the 1450s to the present day and the impact on black history and culture. Includes images and maps.

Integration of the Armed Forces
from the Redstone Arsenal, Alabama
Black military service from colonial times to the 1950s.

Legacy of Slavery in Maryland (local interest)
by Maryland State Archives
Information on lynchings in Maryland during the Jim Crow era 1860s to 1930, stories of escaped slaves, and other research on slavery in Maryland.

Lest We Forget: The Triumph Over Slavery
created by The Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, New York Public Library
An overview of the enslavement of Africans, the transatlantic slave trade, struggle against slavery, slave labor, family life, and more.

Local Museums and Historical Sites (local interest)
presented by Baltimore County Public Library
African American museums and historic sites in and around Maryland.

Negro League Baseball Players Association
Honors the significant contribution of Negro Leagues players to baseball. Find information on teams, players, ballparks, and more.

Negro League Baseball.com
Includes timeline, history, and articles about players and teams.

Negro Leagues Legacy
offered by Major League Baseball
Interviews and testimonies from Negro League players as well as video clips. Numerous articles on the Leagues, team histories, player profiles, and photographs.

North by South: Charleston to Harlem
by Kenyon College
Covers the migration of African Americans from the South to the North. Click on images throughout site to get to essays on music, art, health, education and death in African American Southern and Northern culture.

Online Encyclopedia of Significant People and Places in African American History
by BlackPast.org
A starting point for descriptions of individuals, places and events which have contributed to black history.

Pathways to Freedom: Maryland and the Underground Railroad (local interest)
by Maryland Public Television.
Explores the history and actual path that slaves followed to freedom. Includes some primary source documents, photographs, interactive journey and timeline, audio and video recordings along with teacher and parent resources.

Slavery and the Making of America
by Educational Broadcasting Corporation
History of American slavery from its beginning to the post-Civil War Reconstruction period. Presents personal narratives, images and other materials highlighting the lives of slaves, their living conditions, and more.

Slavery at Hampton (local interest)
Information about the Ridgely slaves in the context of the National Park Service historic site located in Towson, Maryland.

Today in Black History
by BlackFacts.com
Daily calendar of historical events. Searchable by date or keywords.

Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade Database
sponsored by Emory University
Look for particular voyages in this database of documented slaving expeditions. Find estimates on the numbers of slaves and interactive pages on the many routes of the slave trade.

Tuskegee Airmen
created for the Afro-America Newspaper
Learn about the Tuskegee Airmen, 1941 to 1945, and the integration of the Air Force.

Underground Railroad
presented by the National Geographic Society
This interactive site takes you aboard the Underground Railroad on a journey to freedom.

Underground Railroad: Escape from Slavery
by Scholastic, Inc.
Follow what it meant to be a slave along the Underground Railroad in this interactive site.

Voices from the Days of Slavery
by The Library of Congress
Read transcripts or listen to recorded interviews of former slaves born between 1823 and the early 1860s. They discuss how they felt about slavery, slaveholders, their treatment, their families, and freedom.

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Media
Magazines | Newspapers | Radio, Television and Film

Magazines

Black Enterprise
Online version of the business magazine for African American entrepreneurs, executives, managers, and professionals.

Ebony and Jet
from Johnson Publishing Company
Daily online magazine highlighting commentary, analysis of politics, entertainment, sports, and the arts. Archive of actual Ebony magazine available.

Essence
Online magazine for African American women features health, careers and lifestyle. Can be slow to load.

Heart and Soul
Promotes the physical, mental, spiritual and financial well-being of black women and their families.

Magazine Research Databases (local interest)
Search for full text articles in magazines and journals that cover many subjects including general news, social issues, business, health, education, general science, multi-cultural subjects, and more. Several are geared to students in Kindergarten to twelfth grades. Available on public computers in our libraries or from home with a valid library card registered with Baltimore County Public Library. See the Databases Troubleshooting Help page.

Magazines owned by the Enoch Pratt Free Library, Baltimore Maryland (local interest)
Lists title, years available, if available in print, on microfilm, or in electronic databases. Enoch Pratt Free Library's Periodicals Department serves not only as Baltimore City's public library but also the entire state.

Pathfinders Travel
Published five times per year. Audience is African American travelers.

Vibe
Online youth-oriented music and culture magazine, loaded with graphics, ads, illustrations, and articles.

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Newspapers

Afro-American Newspaper (local interest)
Check Baltimore's Afro-American for weekly local, national and world news.

Baltimore Times (local interest)
publishes weekly paper directed at Maryland's African American community. It focuses on local news and community events, health, religion, business, education, sports, and entertainment.

Black Newspapers and News Web Sites
by BlackNews.com
Links to several weekly and daily newspapers across the country.

BlackPressUSA
by National Newspaper Publishers Association Inc
Online news service provides current national and some local news.

News and Weather InfoCenter (local interest)
provided by the Baltimore County Public Library
Search for the latest news by local, regional, and national magazines, newspapers, radio and television stations. Features media in other languages.

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Radio, Television and Film

Black Entertainment Television
Includes news, videos, music, BET television, lifestyle, chat rooms, and more.

Black Film Research Online
maintained by the University of Chicago
Guide for the study of black film culture.

Black Radio Guide
Black radio stations around the world, including Maryland stations (local interest)

BlackVoices: Entertainment
from A O L
Brings you African American culture, community, and entertainment news.

Blackflix.com
Includes articles, movie and actor news, movie reviews, interviews, scriptwriter's network, and more.

News and Weather InfoCenter (local interest)
provided by the Baltimore County Public Library
Search for the latest news by local, regional, and national magazines, newspapers, radio and television stations. Features media in other languages.

Seeing Black
Has "channels" for music, film, theater, dance, politics, spirituality, and more. Provides reviews and opinions.

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Science, Math, and Inventions
Biographies of: Individuals | Many Famous People

African American Astronauts
from NASA Quest
Includes former and current astronauts.

African American Inventors
by Enchanted Learning.com
Profiles of famous inventors and their inventions.

African American Inventors
by Scholastic, Inc.
Top ten  inventors. Geared towards grades 3 to 4.

Black Inventor Online Museum
presented by Adscape International
Scientists, educators and slaves developed the tools and processes that helped to shape the modern agricultural, industrial and technological landscape.

Black Inventors A to Z
by About.com

Black Inventors and Inventions
Biographies of African Americans responsible for either inventing or improving upon the invention of a wide variety of items.

Black Scientists and Inventors
by Fact Monster from Information Please
Biographies of men and women who have contributed to the advancement of science.

Blacks in Mathematics
by the Mathematics Department the State University of New York at Buffalo
Biographies of black mathematicians.

Faces of Science: African Americans in the Sciences
Information on both men and women who made contributions to science and engineering.

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General Resources

African American Almanac. Brigham Narins, Editor. 10th edition. Detroit: Gale, 2008. 1468 pages (local interest)
provided by Baltimore County Public Library
Provides a range of historical and current information and many pictures on African American history, society, and culture. Covers African American historical documents, Africans in America 1600 to 1900,  film and television, blues and jazz, landmarks, national organizations, population, religion, science and technology, sports, and more.

Available online as an electronic Reference Book. Discover the information by clicking the hyperlinks. Can be printed, emailed or downloaded. These books do not have to be checked out or downloaded, and are always available for use either in the library or from home. A library card registered with Baltimore County Public Library is needed.

African American Department (local interest)
at the Central Library of Enoch Pratt Free Library, Baltimore, Maryland.
Has books, photographs, church histories, calendars, political campaign literature, pamphlets, event programs, magazines, newspapers, and other printed items about African Americans, their history and culture with major focus on Maryland and the Baltimore area.

Encyclopedia of African-American Culture and History. Colin Palmer, Editor. 2nd edition. Detroit: Macmillan Reference USA, 2006. 2746 pages. 6 volumes (local interest)
provided by Baltimore County Public Library
An online multi-volume electronic book of the African-American experience from 1619 to the present day. Using biographies, historical essays, and articles on many topics, it addresses the cultural roots, participation in American life, and current condition of African-Americans.

Available online as an electronic Reference Book. Discover the information by clicking the hyperlinks. Can be printed, emailed or downloaded.  These books do not have to be checked out or downloaded, and are always available for use either in the library or from home. A library card registered with Baltimore County Public Library is needed.

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This page is provided by the Baltimore County Public Library, Towson, Maryland USA.
The text version of this page was last revised on 09 June 2009.
The graphics version of this page was last revised on 09 June 2009.
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