Black History Project

Working to raise awareness of Maryland’s Black History

The Black History Project began in the fall of 2023 at Oakdale High. It is a unique project intended to educate members of the community about Maryland’s Black History. The work is carried out by student volunteers, who sift through primary and secondary source material in order to spread awareness of the people, events, and places that shaped our community. We firmly believe that Black history is everyone’s history.

Upcoming Events

This event is sponsored by the Maryland State Education Association.

Second Annual Western Maryland Education Practices Summit

On August 8th, five student volunteers and Ms. Ehrlich will be presenting at the Second Annual Western Maryland Education Practices Summit in Hagerstown, Maryland. Our session, “The Black History Project – an authentic learning experience,” will introduce educators from other districts to our work and explain how they can incorporate similar learning experiences in their own classrooms.

https://marylandeducators.org/western-maryland-education-practices-summit-2025/
Frederick County Curriculum Workshops

At the August 14th curriculum workshops, Frederick County social studies teachers can sign-up to attend a workshop with Ms. Ehrlich to learn more about the Black History Project and how to implement similar projects in other classrooms.
This image was published in the Frederick News Post on the morning of Charles Robinson’s execution in 1921.

Fall 2025 Recruitment

During the 2025-2026 school year, we will be creating a podcast about the case of Charles Robinson, a teenager executed in downtown Frederick on February 25, 1921. If you are an OHS student interested in joining the project, reach out to Ms. Ehrlich ([email protected]). Students from all grades are welcome!

You can read more about Robinson's story here.

Previous Projects

In February 2024, the 20-panel exhibit was displayed at C. Burr Artz Library in downtown Frederick. (Kate Ehrlich)

Year 1 - Black History Exhibit Project

In its first year, eleven student volunteers created a traveling exhibit focused on Frederick, Maryland. At that time, we referred to ourselves as the Black History Exhibit Project. The exhibit explored the historical struggles and achievements of Frederick’s Black community. Learn more about our Year 1 Project.

Volunteer, Kessia Donfack Djoko, discusses the significance of the “Take My Hand” mural outside the Harriet Tubman Museum Center in downtown Cambridge, Maryland. (Kate Ehrlich)

Year 2 - Cambridge Walking Tour

During the 2024-2025 school year, nine student volunteers researched and led an all-day walking tour of historic Cambridge, Maryland. The city played a significant role in both slavery and the Civil Rights Movement. Learn more about our Year 2 Project.

The Oakdale Post

The Oakdale Post

The Oakdale Post

Black History Project

Working to raise awareness of Maryland’s Black History

The Oakdale Post